Beware of the leaven of the pharisees

Jesus, You told to Your disciples:
"Beware of the leaven of the pharisees''.
So there is such a danger
And even Your true disciples are not exempt from it.
Lord, I have decided to beware too,
Show in me all the signs of pharisaism,
I want that You erase them without leaving a trace,
Because I don't want that You tell me; ''Woe to you''.
Let never happen that I say one thing and do another thing,
I want that between all my words and deeds
Be always an equals sign.
While praying I will not chose the corners of the streets,
But I will meet You in the secret place,
While giving to the poor I will not sound a trumpet,
While fasting I will have a glad countenance.
I don't need titles and praises,
I just want You tell me: ''Well done''.
I don't like to sit in best places in feasts,
I will be happy sitting at Your feet.
Lord, though I like to strain out a gnat,
Let never happen that I swallow a camel,
Remind me always to cleanse the inside of the dish
That the outside also shines with the same purity.
While I have a plank in my eye,
I will never try to be an oculist,
And in order to stay in the salvation that You granted me,
I will never trust in my own deeds.
I will not compare myself with the tax collector
But I will cry out like he did: "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner''
And I will rejoice in Your forgivness.
Lord, search me and find out all the symptoms of pharisaism,
I will beware of this terrible disease lest it bring me a spiritual death.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Evening devotions

After the sunset
I open Your Holy Book again,
I admire the beauty of Your Word,
My heart rejoices in You, precious Lord.
Far away from the noise of the world,
I hear Your sweet, tender voice,
For remaining with me all the day long
I thank you with all of my soul.
I count Your blessings that You've given me
From the sunrise to the sunset,
I present to the test of Your Word
All the things that I've done and thought.
The sweet melody that rings in my heart
Rings on my lips in the dark of night,
In the night and the solitude of my life
You give me songs of joy, You comfort my heart.
Before I sleep a sweet thought comes to my mind,
That You, Keeper of Israel, never slumber nor sleep!
My dear Lord, my precious Jesus,
I bow in reverence, I delight in Your presence
How sweet is this hour spend with You,
After the sunset…

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

TODAY AND THAT DAY

Jesus, You have commended to listen to Your voice today;
I want to do Your will as long as it is ''today''
Because after today
''That day'' will come!
Today I can still test myself,
Because when ''that day'' will come,
It will be too late;
Then You will test me Yourself!
Today I can still take oil in my vessel,
Because when ''that day'' will come,
The door will be closed,
Those who don't have the oil will be left out.
Today I can draw nearer to You,
Because when ''that day'' will come,
To those who are not near to You today
You will tell: ''Depart from me''.
Today I can still sit at Your table,
Because when ''that day'' will come,
Those who don't feed upon Your Word today,
Will not take part to the Marriage Supper.
Today I want to spend more sweet hours with You,
Because when ''that day'' will come,
Those who don't seek You today,
Will be far from Your presence.
Today I want to worship You,
Because when ''that day'' will come,
Those who don't worship You today
Will not go to unceasing worship's place.
One day ''today'' will finish,
And the next day will be ''that day'',
In order to be ready ''that day'',
I must get ready today!

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

SELF-DENYING HEART

In order to have a self-denying heart,
I must have the three lasting things

My Lord said that if I want to follow Him,
I must deny myself,
I must take up my cross,
I must be ready for sacrifice.
In the wonderful Book that He had given me,
I have found the conditions which are necessary
For having a self-denying heart.
In this book I have met Abraham who was ready to sacrifice his only son,
Because he believed in his Almighty God and trusted in His promise.
So if I have faith in His promise I will be ready for sacrifice.
There I' ve met also a man who had found a treasure in a field.
He sold all he had and bought this field.
He was willing to left his possessions,
Because he hoped to receive more.
So if I don't lose this blessed hope,
I will be able to deny myself
And leave all that I have.
In this Book I have seen also the greatest Sacrifice,
God gave His Son because of His love,
We have known the love of Christ,
Because He gave His life for us.
So if I love as He did,
I will give my life, I will sacrifice.
How wonderful are the treasures of my God's Word.
In His precious Word I' ve found
That in order to have a sacrificing heart
I must have the three lasting things;
The faith, the hope and the love.
Lord, give me an unfailing faith,
Keep firmly my blessed hope,
Fill my heart with Your limitless love,
I want to become an offering on Your altar.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Je ne demande pas le feu consumant...

Je ne demande pas le feu consumant pour les autres,
Envoie-moi un autre feu
(Luc 9:54-56)

''Seigneur, veux-tu que nous commandions
Que le feu descende du ciel et les consume?''
Jésus, comme c’est bien que Tu ne penses pas comme nous!
Qu’est-ce qu’il se passerait si Tu punissais avec le feu
Tous ceux qui ne Te recevaient pas?
Pendant que nous pensons qu’il serait juste
Si le feu tombait et les consumait,
Ta reproche nous rappelle le but de Ta venue;
Tu n’es pas venu pour perdre les âmes mais pour les sauver.
Au lieu de vouloir que le feu tombe et les consume,
Je Te demande de m’envoyer du ciel le feu de Ton Esprit,
Pour qu’il consume en moi l’esprit qui demande le feu consumant,
Pour que je comprenne que Ton oeuvre est de sauver,
La mienne est de proclamer Ton salut,
Pour que je sois inquiète pour les perdus
Et que je devienne un vrai témoin pour Toi.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

L’église de mon rêve

Jésus, je ne peux pas lire avec indifférence
Les Actes des apôtres,
Je suis toujours émue en lisant Actes 11:20-30,
Je ne peux pas lire sur ce réveil et cette eglise
Sans soupirer, sans dire ”Combien je voudrais moi aussi…”.
J’y vois un réveil étonnant,
Ta main était avec Tes enfants,
Beaucoup ont cru et se sont convertis dans cette ville païenne.
Combien je veux voir le réveil d’Antioche
En Arménie aussi!
Ton apôtre enseignait dans cette église
Et aussi ”le fils d’exhortation”,
Qui était plein de foi et de Ton Esprit.
Je dis de nouveau comme autrefois:
”Oh, si j’avais vécu dans ces temps,
Si j’avais communion avec les chrétiens,
Qui n’étaient qu’un coeur et qu’une âme,
Qui avaient tout en commun entre eux,
Qui obéissaient à la voix de l’Esprit.
Combien je voudrais écouter la prédication de Barnabas,
Prier avec l’apôtre Paul,
Mes amies seraient Lydie et Tabitha,
Et Priscille qui Te servait avec joie”.
Mais Seigneur, plein de bonté et de sagesse,
Tu a voulu que je vive dans les derniers temps,
Et au lieu de me plaindre je dois T’en remercier
Et d’être joyeuse de vivre avant Ta venue.
”Le fils d’exhortation” ne vit pas dans nos temps,
Mais son exhortation sonne dans mon coeur:
”Restez d’un coeur ferme attachés au Seigneur”.
Jésus, je veux T’aimer de tout mon coeur,
Que Tu sois ma joie et mon seul bonheur.
Un jour Tu donneras le désir de mon coeur;
Je verrai dans ma patrie
L’église de mon rêve,
Le réveil d’Antioche.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

I will pray at all times

I will pray at all times,
Even when the governors and the satraps
Will intirgue against me,
I will not fear the pit of lions,
I will be faithful like Daniel,
I have decided firmly,
I will pray at all times.

I will pray at all times,
Even if I don't find an answer for six times
And on the seventh time I see a small cloud,
I will not lose my hope,
I will wait for the rain like Elija did,
I have decided firmly,
I will pray at all times.

I will pray at all times,
Even if a child of God is in prison,
I will cry to the Lord day and night
And one day the prisoner for the Lord will knock at my door,
I will wait with prayer like the first chirstians did,
I have decided firmly,
I will pray at all times.

I will pray at all times,
Even when I'm in the prison of distress,
I will sing priases to the Lord
And the doors of prison will open,
I will praise the Lord like Paul and Silas did,
I have decided firmly,
I will pray at all times.

I will pray at all times,
Even when everyone will hinder me,
If they say: ''The Lord will not answer you'',
Evening and morning and the noon
I will pray and cry aloud,
He shall hear my voice
As for me, I will pray at all times.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Morning devotions

In the morning when the alarm is ringing,
I open three things;
My eyes,
My Bible,
My heart.

I turn off three things;
My phone,
The sounds of my thoughts,
The noise of the world.

I turn on three things;
The lamp on my desk,
The desire for Your Word,
The fire of prayer.

I ask You three things;
Your presence,
Your mercy,
The treasures of Your Word.

Precious Jesus,
In this sweet hour spend with You,
My mind is renewed,
My soul is healed,
My heart is filled.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Encore un peu de temps

(Hebreux 10:37)

Encore un peu, un peu de temps
Et Toi qui as promis de venir,
Tu viendras et ne tarderas pas!
Adorable Jésus,
L’espoir de Ta venue
M’aide a supporter tout,
Et à être patiente,
M’aide à perséverer et me calmer,
A essuyer mes larmes et regarder en haut.
Ta venue est ma plus grande consolation,
La préparation pour Ta venue est mon plus grand devoir,
Mon départ lors Ta venue est mon plus grand désir,
Et Toi, Roi revenant bientôt,
Tu es mon seul Amour et ma Joie!

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Being like Bible women

Lord, give me the diligence of Rebekah,

Though I don't need to draw water for camels

I want to show  everyone the Source of the living water.

Give me the meekness and the zeal of Ruth,

 Though I don't need to glean  among the ears of grain,

 I want to work in Your field with humility.

Make me wise like Abigail was

And help me to be a peace-maker

 In difficult situations.

 I want You to make me like Esther,

 Though I am not a queen nor a beauty,

 I want to be selfless like her.

Give me a heart of worship and thirst for Your Word,

 I want to sit at Your feet and give You the most precious thing I have

 Like Mary of Bethany did.

 I want to be like Tabitha,

 Though I am not skilled in her handiwork,

 I want to help people like she did.

 I want so much to be like Priscilla,

Though there is no Aquila in my life,

 I want to serve You whole-heartedly like she did.

Lord, make me what You want me to be,

Though I don't know and don't understand many things,

 I'm so happy to  be  Your daughter.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan Translated from Armenian

Earthly wedding as a reminder of the heavenly marriage

My precious Jesus, every time when I'm present
At a wedding on earth,
I think about the marriage Supper that You've promised to me,
Which will be very soon in heaven.
When I see the bride adorned with white gown,
I remember that you promised fine linen clean and bright.
When the groom comes to take the bride,
I remember about that day, when one will be taken and the other will be left.
When the pastor reads John chapter 2,
Mentioning again about Your first miracle,
I remember the Revelation chapter 19,
I think about the most glorious wedding.
When the newly-weds full of happiness
Standing at the altar and are whispering ''yes'',
I remember that those precious promises
For which I'm waiting each and every day,
In You are ''Yes'' and are ''Amen''.
Now at this beautiful wedding
The blessed hope of Your glorious coming
Is filling my heart.
How sweet is to think that You are coming,
''Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus''
I call with all my heart.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Triolet

(Psaume 133)

Qu’il est doux, qu’il est agréable
Pour des frères de demeurer ensemble,
L’amour véritable envers l’un l’autre,
Qu’il est doux, qu’il est agréable!
C’est comme l’huile précieuse,
C’est comme la rosée de l’Hermon,
Qu’il est doux, qu’il est agréable
Pour des frères de demeurer ensemble.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Une bibliothèque extraordinaire

J’ai une merveilleuse Bibliothèque,
C’est un cadeau du Roi des rois,
Je peux la prendre partout avec moi,
Je peux me servir d’elle à n’importe quel moment.
Il y a 66 livres dans ma Bibliothèque,
Qui ont été écrits pendant des millénaires,
Dans ces livres il y a les réponses à toutes les questions,
Cette Bibliothèque étonnante est toujours avec moi.
Elle a deux grands rayons;
Dans le premier il y a 39 livres;
Le Code du Roi en 5 volumes,
12 livres des récits authentiques,
Les 5 volumes des ouvrages poétiques,
Et 17 livres avec des prédictions exactes.
Dans le deuxième rayon il y a 27 livres;
Les 4 volumes sur la vie du Roi,
Un livre sur les oeuvres de Ses enfants,
Il y a 21 merveilleuses lettres
Et un livre qui dit d’une manière exacte
Ce qui va arriver prochainement.
Je peux trouver tout dans cette Bibliothèque,
Des maximes sages, des conseils utiles,
Les règles d’étiquette du palais du Roi
Et aussi un guide pour aller dans ma Patrie.
Cette Bibliothèque merveilleuse et extraordinaire,
Je peux la mettre sur ma table, dans mon sac,
Et les paroles qui sont écrites dans ses livres,
Je garde dans le dépôt prévu pour elles, dans mon coeur.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Appointment with Jesus

Jesus, as I close the door of my room,
To meet You in the secret place,
Please, open the door of my heart,
That I may keep there all the words You'll tell me.

As I close my eyes lest nothing distracts me,
When I call Your holy Name,
Please open the eyes of my heart,
That I may see wondrous things from Your law.

When I draw away from everything and everyone
Please, precious Lord, be near to me,
When I turn off all the sounds of my thoughts,
Please speak to me with Your sweet, tender voice.

I'm sorry that sometimes I don't come to meet You,
And You continue waiting for me,
Sorry that I forget so often asking from you the things
That You would gladly give me.

I'm sorry that I have been running all the time
And I had forgotten to sit at Your feet,
Now I'm coming to our secret meeting place,
I don't want to make you wait any more.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

The privilege of prayer

A wonderful privilege is given to me,

The honour of meeting the King daily is granted to me,

He never tells me ''Come later, I'm busy'',

He never sends me away, He always has time for me.

His reception room is always open for me,

Seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day,

He waits for my coming with such a joy,

The Creator of universe is never bored of me.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan 

Translated from Armenian

Running in the race

Lord, You did'nt tell me to take a walk in the race
But to run without ever stopping,
Can I reach the finish line?
Can I obtain the first prize?
Will I not be faint running all the time?
Will I not lose my strength halfway?
No, because You've promised to renew my strength,
If I wait on You, I shall never get weary.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Le but de Ton retard

Jésus, je sais que Tu m’aimes;
Quand je suis dans la difficulté,
J’attends que Tu viennes à l’instant,
Sans tarder même d’une minute,
Mais à cause de Ton amour Tu préfêres tarder souvent,
Pour que Ton miracle soit encore plus étonnant,
Pour que je contemple Ta gloire avec emerveillement,
Tu peux attendre deux jours (Jean 11:5),
Tu peux tarder de trois semaines (Daniel 10:2,12)
Ou même des années,
Mais un jour Tu viendras,
Et Tu me diras:
”Ne t’ai-je pas dit,
Si tu crois, tu verras la gloire de Dieu?” (Jean 11:40).

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Keep me awake

Since You will return without warning
For some Your coming will be a sudden destruction
And for others it will be a pleasant surprise;
In order that I be in the second group,
Help me to watch and stay awake!
Don't let my eyes ever close,
Take the drowsiness away from me!
Many years ago at the dark nights
I was obliged not to sleep at all,
In order to be ready for examinations,
I needed often to stay awake and read.
It was'nt easy, since it was dark around
And everyone was sleeping at this hour,
But lest I fail in examinations,
I was making efforts to stay awake;
I was washing my face with cold water,
I was walking continously in my room…
Now dear Lord, in these last times,
When many are sleeping and it is dark around,
It is so difficult so stay awake,
But I need to watch at any cost.
Now refresh me with the water of Your Word,
Help me to walk with You all the time,
Don't let me sleep, keep me awake at this midnight,
That I may be ready for the final exam.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Triolet

(Psaume 119:33-37)

Enseigne-moi la voie de Tes statuts,
Et je la retiendrai jusqu’à la fin,
Pour que j’observe Ta loi de tout mon coeur,
Enseigne-moi la voie de Tes statuts.
Détourne mes yeux de la vue des choses vaines,
Incline mon coeur vers Tes préceptes et non vers le gain,
Enseigne-moi la voie de Tes statuts,
Et je la retiendrai jusqu’à la fin.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Enseigne-moi Tes statuts

(Psaume 119: 164, 26, 59, 64, 68, 82, 133, 134, 135)


Moi aussi comme le psalmiste
Je Te célèbre sept fois le jour
En me rappelant les lois de Ta justice,
Et de tout mon coeur je Te demande toujours:
Enseigne-moi Tes statuts.
Je T’ai raconté mes voies,
Et Tu m’a exaucée, mon coeur est dans la joie,
Je T’ai fait connaître le désir de mon coeur:
Enseigne-moi Tes statuts.
J’ai réfléshi à mes voies,
J’ai dirigé mes pieds vers Tes precepts,
Je viens à Toi avec la même demande:
Enseigne-moi Tes statuts.
La terre est pleine de Ta bonté,
Je suis émerveillée de Ta beauté,
J’apporte devant Ton trône cette même prière:
Enseigne-moi Tes statuts.
Mes yeux languissent après Ta promesse,
Mon âme a soif de Ta Parole douce,
J’attends Ta consolation sans cesse,
Enseigne-moi Tes statuts.
Affermis mes pas dans Ta Parole,
Délivre-moi de l’oppression des hommes,
Fais luire Ta face sur moi toujours,
Enseigne-moi Tes statuts.
Le chant de louange sonne dans mon coeur,
Tu a consolé mon âme attristée,
Ainsi je viens de nouveau et je répète encore:
Enseigne-moi Tes statuts.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Psaume 119:92

Si Ta loi n’avait fait mes délices,
J’aurais alors péri  dans ma tristesse,
Je ne pourrais pas connaître Ton amour,
Si Ta loi n’avait fait mes délices.
La douce mélodie de joie ne sonnerait pas,
Je n’entendrais pas Ton appel doux,
Si Ta loi n’avait fait mes délices,
J’aurais alors péri dans ma tristesse.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Je garde Ta Parole dans mon coeur, Ta Parole garde mon coeur

(Psaume 119:9-16)

Je garde Ta Parole sainte dans mon coeur,
Et je crois qu’elle gardera mon coeur du péché,
Je Te cherche de tout mon coeur,
Ne me laisse pas m’egarer loin de Tes préceptes.
Je n’oublierai jamais Tes Paroles douces,
C’est d’elles que je fais mes délices,
Je ne m’ecarterai point de Tes statuts,
Car je les médite tout le jour.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Tes statuts sont le sujet de mes cantiques

(Psaume 119;54, 105, 162, 147, 148)

Tes statuts sont le sujet de mes cantiques
Dans la maison où je suis étrangère,
Ta Parole est une lampe à mes pieds, une lumière sur mon sentier,
Je me réjouis comme celui qui trouve un grand trésor.
Je devance l’aurore et je crie,
J’espère en Tes promesses,
Je devance les veilles et j’ouvre les yeux
Pour méditer Tes Paroles sans cesse.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

If your eyes open

If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the baby in the manger
Is not the son of the carpenter,
But He is the King of all the earth
Who came from heaven.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the boy speaking in the temple
Is not an expert of God's Word,
But He Is God's Word Himself
Who became flesh and dwelt among us.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the One who is working miracles
Is not just a prophet,
But He is the Son of the living God,
Who gave you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the One who is coming to you walking on the waves
Is not a ghost,
He is the King of the universe to whom the winds and the water obey.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the One who is sitting at the well
Does'nt need the water that you could give Him,
But He desires to give you the living Water and drinking from it you will never thirst.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the One who is on the cross
Is not powerless and does'nt need your help,
But you are the one who needs Him every time.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the one who is standing at the tomb
Is not the gardener,
But He is the Risen King and Your Saviour
Before whom the death and the hell retreat.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the One who is walking on the road of Emmaus
Is not just a passer-by,
But He is Your King, He is the Messiah longed for long ago
Whose Kingdom is not of this world.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the One who is standing on the shore
Is not a stranger for you,
But He is your Friend who supply your needs
According to His riches in glory.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that the Nazarene that you are persecuting
Is not dead but He is alive for ever
And He wants you to become His witness
To bear His name before Gentiles and the kings.
If one day your eyes open,
You will see that You've had'nt still seen
The wonders of His Word,
When your eyes will be open
You'll see His glory
And you'll worship the King before His throne.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Je veux rester dans le chapitre huit

Seigneur, je ne veux pas me trouver de nouveau
Dans le chapitre sept des Romains,
Que je ne dise plus jamais:
”Misérable que je suis!”.
Car la loi de l’Esprit et de vie
M’a libérée de la loi du péché,
Et il n’ y a plus de condamnation,
Pour ceux qui marchent dans Ton Esprit.
Jésus, aide-moi à rester dans le chapitre huit!

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Heal and repair

Jesus, the distresses in my life are many,
The tears come like a flood,
But Your blessings and the reasons that make me smile
Outnumber them!
Am I hated by many?
Yes, but, precious Lord, You love me!
Many don’t understand me,
But You search my heart.
My hopes are broken,
But the blessed hope of Your coming
Is always with me!
My heart is wounded,
But You are a compassionate Healer for me.
The pieces of my broken heart are scattered,
But none of them is lost,
Help me to gather them all and put them in Your hands,
Stick them together with the glue of Your love,
And heal my heart with the balm of Your Word.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Prayer of a Daughter of God

Jesus I want not only to wear according to 1 Timothy 2.9,
But also I want to put on the garments of Colossians 3.12,
And on the glorious day of Your return
I want to receive the fine linen, clean and bright.
I want not only my house to shine with purity,
But also Yours, which is my heart, where You are the only householder!
Not only have I liked washing the dishes,
I love so much when You wash the earthen vessel which You fill with spiritual treasure.
Not only have I wanted to prepare food with gladness,
But I also want to be fed with Your sweet Words.
Not only I want my lamp not to go out by night,
But also I want Your Word be a lamp to my path.
I don't want to worry about the passing beauty,
But adorn myself with a meek and quiet spirit,
With shamefacedness and sobriety.
I want to live in the manner becoming to a daughter of King
Lord, I want to obey You all the time and in everything.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

He promised to wipe away my tears

Never matter that I can't find
The answers of my many ''why''-s,
In my heavenly home
I surely hear the ''because''-s for my questions.
Never matter that tears don't leave me,
Jesus has promised that He would not leave me alone,
And in the day that I eagerly wait for,
He will wipe all my tears away.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Thank you for unanswered prayers

Unanswered prayers too
Work together fo good
To those who love You,
Because my desires
Are not more important than Your will,
Because Your answers
Are wiser than my requests.
Because Your refusal
Is the proof of Your love.
Because Your will is good
And pleasant and perfect,
When You tell me ''no'',
It is for my blessing.
O You who hear prayer,
I want to thank you
For my unanswered prayer,
And the reasons of Your silence
I will understand them one day.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Aucun lion ne me fait peur, car le Lion de Juda est avec moi

Salomon raconte au sujet d’un paresseux
Qui évitant le travail invente un mensonge ridicule:
”Il y a un lion sur le chemin et dans les rues”.
Bien que je ne sois pas paresseuse
Et je ne veux pas inventer des choses,
Très souvent à cause de la crainte et la manque de foi
Je vois un lion là où il ne peut pas en être;
Même si je rencontre un lion sur mon chemin,
Même si le lion cherchant à dévorer rugit,
Je sortirai avec courage et je ne serai pas effrayée,
Car le Lion victorieux de la tribue de Juda
M’a promis d’être toujours avec moi.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Je ne veux pas m’enfuir mais me cacher en Toi

Jésus, Tu as dit que ma puissance serait dans le calme et la confiance (Es. 30:15),
Tu a prévenu que le cheval était impuissant pour sauver,
Et toute sa vigueur ne donnait pas la délivrance (Psaume 33:17).
Certains s’appuient sur leurs chars, les autres sur leurs chevaux,
Moi j’invoque Ton Saint Nom, mon Dieu! (Psaume 20:8).
Ton Nom est une tour forte, c’est là que je trouve ma sécurité (Proverbes 18:10).
Les poursuivants sont plus rapides que les chevaux (Es. 30:16),
Et je ne veux pas aller au galop à cheval,
Mais je désire dans le calme et la tranquillité
Me réfugier en Toi, dans mon abri sûr.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

Conversation with the virtuous woman from Proverbs 31

Hello, my sister, I read so often the Proverbs 31
Sometimes I am sad while reading about you.
Virtuous wife: Why? You must be glad in the Lord all the time.
You know it is written in the Word of God.
Hripsime: Yes, it is true, but I want so much to be just like you,
But is seems impossible to me.
You manage to do all your housework,
Not only that, you are a business woman too!
You buy a field and plant a vineyard,
You bring your food from afar,
You make linen garments and you sell them,
I can never do all these things!
Virtuous wife: So just continue the work that the Lord Jesus asked you to do;
Can't you buy a field and plant a vineyard?
But you can work in the field and the vineyard of the Lord!
Hripsime: May be you manage to do all these works,
Because you have maidservants, don't you?
Virtuous wife: I do have maidservants, but it is not the secret of it!
Hripsime: May be the secret is the nice compliment that you hear all the time;
I've read about it in the verse 29.
I've never heard these words, I'll never hear them!
Virtuous wife: And what about the next verse? Don't you remember it?
Hripsime: I know it! Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain;
I don't have neither.
Virtuous wife: And what about the last part of this verse?
Who is the woman that will be praised?
Surely you have the fear of the Lord,
And I wish you to be diligent and wise,
Always full of compassion and love of God.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian

Let me never forget Romans 8:28

Lord, remind me all the time 

That all things work together for good 

To those who love You, 

And are called according to Your plan (Romans 8:28).

 That's why he who was sold to be a slave

 Could feed many people one day (Genesis 50:20), 

The prisoner became a ruler (Genesis 41:40). 

That's why the sea which had closed the way 

Became a means of getting rid of the enemy (Exodus 14:28), 

And one more opportunity to see Your glory. 

That's why the persecution and the dispersion of Your people

 Became an occasion for spreading Your Word (Acts 8:1,4).

 That's why everything that happens to me, 

Always bring me nearer to Thee.

by Hripsime Mkrtchyan Translated from Armenian

Ils pensent des faussetés sur moi...

Ils pensent des faussetés sur moi,

Je pense à Ta Parole

(Psaume 119:23, 69, 15, 24, 16)

Les princes ont beau s’asseoir et parler contre moi,
Moi, je m’assois devant Ta Parole,
Ils imaginent des faussetés sur moi,
Moi, je médite sur Tes ordonnances.
Personne n’est avec moi sauf Toi,
Tes préceptes sont mes délices et mes conseillers,
Bien que je sois oubliée par tout le monde,
Je n’oublierai point Ta Parole.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

En lisant le psaume 119

Seigneur pendant que je lis mon psaume préféré
Je Te prie d’ouvrir mes yeux;
Je veux voir les merveilles de Ta loi
Et faire mes délices de Tes statuts.
Si je fais mes délices de Ta loi,
J’aimerai de tout coeur Tes Paroles précieuses.
Et si je les aime, je méditerai sur elles tout le temps
Et en méditant je les garderai dans mon coeur,
Et en les gardant, je pourrai aussi de les mettre en pratique
Et je serai dans le nombre de ceux dont le psalmiste parle
Au début de ce psaume que j’aime tellement.

Hripsimé Mkrtchyan
Traduit de l'arménien

The medecine ''Merry heart''

One day I have heard of a medecine called ''merry heart''.
So I will go to the pharmacy of God's Word,
I will buy this medecine which will help me fight against the sadness
And will set me free from the despair.
In the pharmacy I was told that in order to prepare this wonderful medecine,
I had to mix the ingredients of the true joy, which are the reasons to be glad.
I have found the first ingredient, which is called Psalm 40.16:
''Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You''.
I seek the Lord all the time, so I have the first ingredient.
Now I must find the second one.
It is called Psalm 5.11: ''Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You,
let those also who love Your name be joyful in You''.
I trust in the Lord, I love His name,
So I have the second ingredient too.
Now I will find the third one.
It is called Psalm 122.1: ''I was glad when they said to me: '
'Let us go into the house of the Lord''.
I have found the third ingredient too,
Because I have always desired the house of the Lord.
But I must find the most important ingredient,
The greatest reason to rejoice.
It is called Luke 10.20:
''Rejoice because your names are written in heaven''.
I have added this ingredient too,
I have seasoned them with the statutes of the Lord which rejoice the heart,
And now the medecine ''merry heart'' is ready.
When I have asked: ''How much I must pay for this wonderful medecine?'',
I have heard an answer: ''Jesus has already paid for you''.

Hripsime Mkrtchyan
Translated from Armenian