The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English

by Geza Vermes

unless Thou keep me upright,

  and how shall I understand

  unless by (the spirit) which Thou hast shaped for me?

  What can I say unless Thou open my mouth

  and how can I answer unless Thou enlighten me?

  Behold, Thou art Prince of gods

  and King of majesties,

  Lord of all spirits,

  and Ruler of all creatures;

  nothing is done without Thee,

  and nothing is known without Thy will.

  Beside Thee there is nothing,

  and nothing can compare with Thee in strength;

  in the presence of Thy glory there is nothing,

  and Thy might is without price.

  Who among Thy great and marvellous creatures

  can stand in the presence of Thy glory?

  How then can he who returns to his dust?

  For Thy glory’s sake alone hast Thou made all these things.

  Hymn 20 (formerly 16)

  Blessed art Thou, O Lord,

  God of mercy [and abundant] grace,

  for Thou hast made known [Thy wisdom to me

  that I should recount] Thy marvellous deeds,

  keeping silence neither by day nor [by night]!

  [For I have trusted] in Thy grace.

  In Thy great goodness,

  and in [the multitude of Thy mercies]

  For I have leaned on Thy truth

  [And unless] Thou rebuke,

  there is no stumbling;

  unless Thou foreknow it,

  [there is no] scourge;

  [nothing is done without] Thy [will].

  [I will cling to Thy ways]

  according to my knowledge [of Thy] truth;

  contemplating Thy glory

  I will recount Thy wonderful works,

  and understanding [Thy goodness

  I will lean on the] multitude of Thy mercies

  and hope for Thy forgiveness.

  For Thou Thyself hast shaped [my spirit]

  and established me [according to Thy will];

  and Thou hast not placed my support in gain,

  [nor does] my [heart delight in riches];

  Thou hast given me no fleshly refuge.

  The might of warriors [rests] on abundant delights,

  [and on plenty of corn] and wine and oil;

  they pride themselves in possessions and wealth.

  [But the righteous is like a] green [tree]

  beside streams of water,

  bringing forth leaves and multiplying its branches;

  for [Thou hast chosen them

  from among the children of] men

  that they may all grow fat from the land.

  Thou wilt give to the children of Thy truth

  [unending joy and] everlasting [gladness],

  and according to the measure of their knowledge,

  so shall they be honoured one more than another.

  And likewise for the son of man ...

  Thou wilt increase his portion

  in the knowledge of Thy truth,

  and according to the measure of his knowledge,

  so shall he be honoured ...

  [For the soul] of Thy servant has loathed [riches] and gain,

  and he has not [desired] exquisite delights.

  My heart rejoices in Thy Covenant

  and Thy truth delights my soul.

  I shall flower [like the lily]

  and my heart shall be open to the everlasting fountain;

  my support shall be in the might from on high.

  But...

  and withers like a flower before [the heat].

  My heart is stricken with terror,

  and my loins with trembling;

  my groaning goes down to the Abyss,

  and is shut up in the chambers of Hell.

  I am greatly afraid when I hear of Thy judgement

  of the mighty Heroes,

  and of Thy trial of the host

  of Thy Holy Ones

  XIX (formerly XI)

  Hymn 21 (formerly 17)

  I thank Thee, my God,

  for Thou hast dealt wondrously to dust,

  and mightily towards a creature of clay!

  I thank Thee, I thank Thee!

  What am I, that Thou shouldst [teach] me

  the counsel of Thy truth,

  and give me understanding

  of Thy marvellous works;

  that Thou shouldst lay hymns of thanksgiving

  within my mouth

  and [praise] upon my tongue,

  and that of my circumcised lips

  (Thou shouldst make) a seat of rejoicing?

  I will sing Thy mercies,

  and on Thy might I will meditate all day long.

  I will bless Thy Name evermore.

  I will declare Thy glory in the midst of the sons of men

  and my soul shall delight in Thy great goodness.

  I know that Thy word is truth,

  and that righteousness is in Thy hand;

  that all knowledge is in Thy purpose,

  and that all power is in Thy might,

  and that every glory is Thine.

  In Thy wrath are all chastisements,

  but in Thy goodness is much forgiveness

  and Thy mercy is towards the sons of Thy goodwill.

  For Thou hast made known to them

  the counsel of Thy truth,

  and hast taught them Thy marvellous mysteries.

  For the sake of Thy glory

  Thou hast purified man of sin

  that he may be made holy for Thee,

  with no abominable uncleanness

  and no guilty wickedness;

  that he may be one [with] the children of Thy truth

  and partake of the lot of Thy Holy Ones;

  that bodies gnawed by worms may be raised from the dust

  to the counsel [of Thy truth],

  and that the perverse spirit (may be lifted)

  to the understanding [which comes from Thee];

  that he may stand before Thee

  with the everlasting host

  and with [Thy] spirits [of holiness],

  to be renewed together with all the living

  and to rejoice together with them that know.

  Hymn 22 (formerly 18)

  I thank Thee, my God!

  I praise Thee, my Rock!

  For Thou hast made known to me the counsel of Thy truth

  [and hast taught me Thy marvellous mysteries;]

  and hast revealed Thy [wonders] to me.

  I have beheld {Thy marvels} (4Q427 fr. 1, i) [towards the children]

  of grace,

  and I know [that] righteousness is Thine,

  that in Thy mercies there is [hope for me],

  but without Thy grace [destruction] without end.

  But a fountain of bitter mourning opens for me,

  [and my tears fall down].

  Distress is not hidden from my eyes

  when I think of the (evil) inclinations of man,

  of his return [to dust],

  {I understand and observe} (4Q427 fr. 1, iii) sin and the sorrow

  of guilt.

  They enter my heart and reach into my bones

  to...

  and to meditate in sorrowful meditation.

  I will groan with the zither of lamentation

  in all grief-stricken mourning and bitter complaint

  until iniquity and [wickedness] are consumed

  and the disease-bringing scourge is no more.

  Then will I play on the zither of deliverance

  and the harp of joy,

  [on the tabors of prayer] and the pipe of praise

  without end.

  Who among all Thy creatures

  is able to recount [Thy wonders]?

  May Thy Name be praised

  by the mouth of all men!

  May they bless Thee for ever

  in accordance with [their understanding],


  and proclaim Thee with the voice of praise

  in the company of [the Sons of Heaven]!

  There shall be neither groaning nor complaint

  and wickedness [shall be destroyed for ever];

  Thy truth shall be revealed in eternal glory

  and everlasting peace.

  Blessed art [Thou, O my Lord],

  who hast given to [Thy servant]

  the knowledge of wisdom

  that he may comprehend Thy wonders,

  and recount Thy ...

  in Thy abundant grace!

  Blessed art Thou,

  O God of mercy and compassion,

  for the might of Thy [power]

  and the greatness of Thy truth,

  and for the multitude of Thy favours

  in all Thy works!

  Rejoice the soul of Thy servant with Thy truth

  and cleanse me by Thy righteousness.

  Even as I have hoped in Thy goodness,

  and waited for Thy grace,

  so hast Thou freed me from my calamities

  in accordance with Thy forgiveness;

  and in my distress Thou hast comforted me

  for I have leaned on Thy mercy.

  Blessed art Thou, O Lord,

  for it is Thou who hast done these things!

  Thou hast set [hymns of praise]

  within the mouth of Thy servant,

  and hast established for me a response of the tongue.

  Hymn 23 (formerly 19)

  XX (formerly XII)

  ... {with the ever[lasting] spirits} (4Q427, fr. 3 ii, 1. 4)

  securely in a dwelling {of peac[e,} (4Q427, fr. 2, 11. 1-2)

  in sil]ence and quietness in the tents of security and salvation.

  I will praise Thy Name among them that fear Thee.

  Bowing down in prayer I will beg Thy favours

  from season to season always:

  when light emerges from [its dwelling-place],

  and when the day reaches its appointed end

  in accordance with the laws

  of the Great Light of heaven;

  when evening falls and light departs

  at the beginning of the dominion of darkness,

  at the hour appointed for night,

  and at its end when morning returns

  and (the shadows) retire to their dwelling-place

  before the approach of light;

  always;

  at the genesis of every period

  and at the beginning of every age

  and at the end of every season,

  according to the statute and signs

  appointed to every dominion

  by the certain law from the mouth of God,

  by the precept which is and shall be

  for ever and ever without end.

  Without it nothing is nor shall be,

  for the God of knowledge established it

  and there is no other beside Him.

  I, the Master, know Thee O my God,

  by the spirit which Thou hast given to me,

  and by Thy Holy Spirit I have faithfully hearkened

  to Thy marvellous counsel.

  In the mystery of Thy wisdom

  Thou hast opened knowledge to me,

  and in Thy mercies

  [Thou hast unlocked for me] the fountain of Thy might.

  Before Thee no man is just ...

  [that he may] understand all Thy mysteries

  or give answer [to Thy rebuke.

  But the children of Thy grace

  shall delight in] Thy correction

  and watch for Thy goodness,

  for in Thy mercies [Thou wilt show Thyself to them]

  and they shall know Thee;

  at the time of Thy glory

  they shall rejoice.

  [Thou hast caused them to draw near]

  in accordance [with their knowledge],

  and hast admitted them

  in accordance with their understanding,

  and in their divisions they shall serve Thee

  throughout their dominion

  [without ever turning aside] from Thee

  or transgressing Thy word.

  Behold, [I was taken] from dust

  [and] fashioned [out of clay]

  as a source of uncleanness,

  and a shameful nakedness,

  a heap of dust,

  and a kneading [with water,]

  and a house of darkness,

  a creature of clay returning to dust,

  returning [at the appointed time

  to dwell] in the dust whence it was taken.

  How then shall dust reply to its Maker,

  [and how] understand His [works]?

  How shall it stand before Him who reproves it?

  [and the Spring of] Eternity,

  the Well of Glory

  and the Fountain of Knowledge.

  Not even [the wonderful] Heroes [can] declare all Thy glory

  or stand in face of Thy wrath,

  and there is none among them

  that can answer Thy rebuke;

  for Thou art just and none can oppose Thee.

  How then can (man) who returns to his dust?

  I hold my peace;

  what more shall I say than this?

  I have spoken in accordance with my knowledge,

  out of the righteousness given to a creature of clay.

  And how shall I speak unless Thou open my mouth;

  how understand unless Thou teach me?

  How shall I seek Thee unless Thou uncover my heart,

  and how follow the way that is straight

  unless [Thou guide me?

  How shall my foot] stay on [the path

  unless Thou] give it strength;

  and how shall I rise...

  XXI (formerly XVIII, 16-33+fr- 3)

  Hymn 24(formerly 25)

  [How] shall I look,

  unless Thou open my eyes?

  Or hear,

  [unless Thou unstop my ears]?

  My heart is astounded,

  for to the uncircumcised ear

  a word has been disclosed,

  and a heart [of stone

  has understood the right precepts].

  I know it is for Thyself

  that Thou hast done these things, O God;

  for what is flesh

  [that Thou shouldst act] marvellously [towards it]?

  It is Thy purpose to do mightily

  and to establish all things for Thy glory.

  [Thou hast created] the host of knowledge

  to declare (Thy) mighty deeds to flesh,

  and the right precepts to him that is born [of woman].

  Thou hast [caused the perverse heart to enter]

  into a Covenant with Thee,

  and hast uncovered the heart of dust

  that it may be preserved from evil

  and saved from the snares of Judgement

  in accordance with Thy mercies.

  And I, a creature [of clay

  kneaded with water,

  a heap of dust]

  and a heart of stone,

  for what am I reckoned to be worthy of this?

  For into an ear of dust [Thou hast put a new word]

  and hast engraved on a heart of [stone] things everlasting.

  Thou hast caused [the straying spirit] to return

  that it may enter into a Covenant with Thee,

  and stand [before Thee for ever]

  in the everlasting abode,

  illumined with perfect Light for ever,

  with [no more] darkness,

  [for un]ending [seasons of joy]

  and un[numbered] ages of peace.

  And as for me, a creature of dust, ...

  Fr. 3

  Pile of dust, how shall I stand in front of the tempest?

  ... and He will guard me

  according to the mysteries of His good pleasure. For He

  knows...

>   And they will hide snares of wickedness, net after net.

  ... every creature of deceit will come to an end ...

  [wickedness will] turn to nothing

  and the inclination towards iniquity will vanish

  and deeds of deceit [will perish].

  As for me, creature of [clay] ...

  ... how will it gain strength for Thee?

  Thou art the God of [knowledge]

  Thou hast made them [according to Thy design]

  and without Thee [nothing exists].

  [As for me, creature] of dust, I know

  through the spirit which Thou hast put into me

  that ...

  injustice and deceit will be awe-struck

  and insolence will cease.

  [wo]rks of uncleanness will (turn into) sickness

  and judgements (leading to) plague and destruction ...

  XXII (formerly XVIII ii, 27-29+fr. I i+fr. 52

  bottom+fr. 4+fr. 47)

  ... [hol]iness that are in heaven

  ... and He is wonder.

  But they cannot [understand] Thy [marvel]s

  and they will not be able to know all [Thy mysteries].

  [How then can he who retur]ns to his dust?

  As for me, I am a man of sin

  who has wallowed [in the ways of uncleanness]

  [and been defiled] by the guilt of wickedness.

  As for me, in the times of wrath [I have fallen(?)].

  How can I rise in view of my wound

  and keep myself...

  For there is hope for man...

  As for me, creature of clay,

  I have leaned [on Thy loving-kindness

  and on the multitude of Thy mysteries,] O my God.

  And I know that truthful is [Thy mouth,

  and that Thy words are not] revoked.

  As for me, I will rely in my time [on Thy Covenant

  and will rai]se myself to the post

  which Thou hast established for me ...