May I Hymn You Always

Bright and holy Gods,
whose care extends throughout the world,
even to the farthest depths and the smallest things,
who are always and ever all good,
the very source of goodness, for whom all beings long,
whose blessings fountain forth abundantly,
providing all that we need,
who are always and everywhere present,
whenever we turn toward you,

Help me always, in everything, to honor you,
to become ever more fully aware
of your presence, your gifts
which uphold me at every moment.
Help me always, with everything, to turn toward you.

May my every word be a hymn.
May my every deed be a hymn.
May my every thought be a hymn.
May my every breath be a hymn.

May all that I say and think and do, all that I am,
be in keeping with your goodness, your providence, your love.

May I hymn you without ending, every moment of my life.

Continue reading “May I Hymn You Always”

Here for Hymnody

Just a pair of delightful quotes from the last few days:

While I lived, it was my part to sing hymns in praise of the Gods, whether by myself, or with another person, or with many.

Epictetus, Discourses III.26, 30

If people have any use for a voice, they should be using it for hymns.

Proclus, in Timaeum I 197, 6–7 (trans. Tarrant)

To the Muses, at the Beginning

Clear-voiced Muses, I call to you,
Upraising this hymn as this new work I commence.

O leaders to wisdom, my much-beloved patrons,
Mnemosyne’s daughers, pray attend to my words.

From the song of the stars to the stories of men
You bring virtue and skill to the sage and the bard.

Come with your grace, with many fine gifts.
Inspire my mind, blessed teachers and guides.

Give me honey-sweet words as I write in this space.
Holy guardians and patrons, please bless me and this work.