Odes of Solomon/Ode 21

A Medicine and a Helper for Me

¹ My arms I lifted up

on account of the compassion of the Lord,

² because he had cast off my bonds from me.

And my helper had lifted me up

on account of his compassion and of his salvation.

³ And I put off darkness

and clothed myself with light.

⁴ And my soul acquired limbs

free from pain,

or sickness or suffering.

⁵ And instead a medicine and helper for me

was the thought of the Lord

and his partnership of intimate union in imperishability.

⁶ And I was lifted up in his light

and I passed before his face.

⁷ And I was near him,

praising and thanking him.

⁸ My heart overflowed

and was found in my mouth,

and luminously dawned upon my lips.

⁹ And on my face increased

the exultation of the Lord in praise of him.

Hallelujah!