Ephrem the Syrian

In his own words on Psalms

• Psalms 22:6

  By the word worm did the Spirit foreshow him in a parable, because his generation was without marriage.

  HYMNS ON THE NATIVITY 1

• Psalms 32:9

  Then, as for the Gentiles who used to go after gods which were no gods, He Who was God went after them, and by His words, as by a bridle, turned them from many gods to the One. This is that Mighty One, Whose preaching became a bridle in the jaws of the Gentiles, and led them away from idols to Him that sent Him.

  HOMILY ON OUR LORD 5:1

• Psalms 49:12

  David wept for Adam, at how he fell from that royal abode to the abode of wild animals. Because he went astray through a beast he became like the beasts. He ate, together with them as a result of the curse, grass and roots, and he died, becoming their peer. Blessed is he who set him apart from the wild animals again.

  HYMNS ON PARADISE 13:5

• Psalms 77:16-19

  "When our Lord had arrived and had entered the boat with Simon, the wind abated." The Arian, therefore, who contradicts the birth [of the Lord] is also rejected, through the word that those who were in the boat spoke, "They came and worshiped him, and they were saying to him, 'You are indeed the Son of God.' " It is he of whom it is written, "The waters saw you and trembled, and the depths too were stirred up. Your pathways are on many waters, and your footsteps are not known." So they confessed by their word that he, concerning whom these things were spoken, was indeed the Son of God.

  COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 12:9

• Psalms 118:22-23

  "A stone was placed at the entrance to the tomb." Thus, one stone [was placed] against another stone, so that [this] stone might be keeping guard over "the stone that the builders rejected." This [stone], lifted "up by" [human] hands, had to keep guard over that which was "detached, without [human] hands"; this [stone], on which "the angel was sitting," [had to keep guard] over that which "Jacob had placed under his head"; this [stone] with its seal [had to keep guard] over that which, through its seal, watches over the faithful. Thus did the gate of life go forth from the gate of death. "For this is the gate of our Lord, through which the just enter." When it was closed, it delivered those closed in. Through its death the dead lived. Through its voice the silent cried out. Through its resurrection, there was an earthquake. Its emergence forth from the tomb introduced the Gentiles into the church.

  COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 21:21

• Psalms 139:18

  Watch, for when the body is sleeping it is nature that holds sway over us, and our activity is directed not by our wills but by the impulse of nature. When a heavy torpor of weakness and sadness rules over the soul, it is the enemy who holds sway over it and leads it against its own desire. It is force that holds sway over nature and the enemy who holds sway over the soul. That is why our Lord spoke of vigilance of soul and of body lest the body sink into a heavy sleep and the soul into a sluggishness born of timidity; just as [Scripture] says, "Let justice awaken you," and, "When I awake I am still with you," and, "Do not lose heart." This is why "we do not lose heart" in the ministry confided to us.

  COMMENTARY ON TATIAN'S DIATESSARON 18:17