From God Christ’s Deity Came Forth

Above:  Icon of Christ Pantocrator

Scanned by Kenneth Randolph Taylor

Original Syraic Text by St. Ephrem of Edessa (306/307-373)

English Translation by J. Howard Rhys (b. 1917)

English Translation adapted and altered by F. Bland Tucker (1895-1984)

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1982 (1985), The Episcopal Church

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From God Christ’s deity came forth, his manhood from humanity;

his priesthood from Melchizedek, his royalty from David’s tree:

praised be his Oneness.

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He joined with guests at wedding feast, yet in the wilderness did fast;

he taught within the temple’s gates; his people saw him die at last:

praised be his teaching.

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The dissolute he did not scorn, nor turn from those who were in sin,

he for the righteous did rejoice but bade the fallen to come in:

praised be his mercy.

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He did not disregard the sick; to simple ones his word was given;

and he descended to the earth and his work done, went up to heaven:

praised be his coming.

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Who then, my Lord, compares to you?  The Watcher slept, the great was small,

the Pure baptized, the Life who died, the King abased to honor all:

praised by your glory.

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