The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English

by Geza Vermes

  Philo’s account of the banquet celebrated by the contemplative Essenes, or Therapeutae, on the Feast of Pentecost may indicate the use to which the Hymns were put. He reports that when the President of the meeting had ended his commentary on the Scriptures, he rose and chanted a hymn, either one of his own making or an old one, and after him each of his brethren did likewise (The Contemplative Life, § 80). Similarly, it is probable that the psalms of this Scroll were recited by the Guardian and newly initiated members at the Feast of the Renewal of the Covenant. Hymn 4 (formerly 21) expressly refers to the oath of the Covenant, and Hymn 5 (formerly 22) appears to be a poetic commentary on the liturgy marking the entry into the Community. Indeed, the relative poverty of principal themes may be due to the fact that all this poetry was intended for a special occasion and its inspirational scope was thereby limited.

  Cols. I-III are missing.

  IV (formerly XVII) ...

  Hymn I (formerly 23)

  As Thou hast said by the hand of Moses,

  Thou forgivest transgression, iniquity, and sin,

  and pardonest rebellion and unfaithfulness.

  For the bases of the mountains shall melt

  and fire shall consume the deep places of Hell,

  but Thou wilt deliver

  all those that are corrected by Thy judgements,

  that they may serve Thee faithfully

  and that their seed may be before Thee for ever.

  Thou wilt keep Thine oath

  and wilt pardon their transgression;

  Thou wilt cast away all their sins.

  Thou wilt cause them to inherit all the glory of Adam

  and abundance of days.

  Hymn 2 (formerly 24)

  [I give Thee thanks]

  because of the spirits which Thou hast given to me!

  I [will bring forth] a reply of the tongue

  to recount Thy righteous deeds,

  and the forbearance ...

  and the works of Thy mighty right hand,

  and [the pardon] of the sins of the forefathers.

  [I will bow down] and implore Thy mercy

  [on my sins and wicked] deeds,

  and on the perversity of [my heart],

  for I have wallowed in uncleanness,

  and have [turned aside] from the counsel [of Thy truth]

  and I have not laboured ...

  [For] Thine, Thine is righteousness,

  and an everlasting blessing be upon Thy Name!

  [According to] Thy righteousness,

  let [Thy servant] be redeemed

  [and] the wicked be brought to an end.

  For I have understood that [it is Thou

  who dost establish] the path of whomsoever Thou choosest;

  Thou dost hedge him in with [true] discernment

  that he may not sin against Thee,

  and that his humility [may bear fruit]

  through Thy chastisement.

  [Thou dost purify] his heart in [Thy trials].

  [Preserve] Thy servant, [O God], lest he sin against Thee,

  or stagger aside from any word of Thy will.

  Strengthen the [loins of Thy servant

  that he may] resist the spirits [of falsehood,

  that] he may walk in all that Thou lovest,

  and despise all that Thou loathest,

  [that he may do] that which is good in Thine eyes.

  [Destroy] their [dominion] in my bowels,

  for [within] Thy servant is a spirit of [flesh].

  Hymn 3 (formerly 25)

  [I thank Thee, O Lord,

  for] Thou didst shed [Thy] Holy Spirit upon Thy Servant

  V (formerly XIII)

  All these things [Thou didst establish in Thy wisdom.

  Thou didst appoint] all Thy works

  before ever creating them:

  the host of Thy spirits

  and the Congregation [of Thy Holy Ones,

  the heavens and all] their hosts

  and the earth and all it brings forth.

  In the seas and deeps ...

  ... and an everlasting task;

  for Thou hast established them from before eternity.

  And the work of ...

  and they shall recount Thy glory

  throughout all Thy dominion

  For Thou hast shown them that

  which they had not [seen

  by removing all] ancient things

  and creating new ones,

  by breaking asunder things anciently established,

  and raising up the things of eternity.

  For [Thou art from the beginning]

  and shalt endure for ages without end.

  And Thou hast [appointed] all these things

  in the mysteries of Thy wisdom

  to make known Thy glory [to all].

  [But what is] the spirit of flesh

  that it should understand all this,

  and that it should comprehend

  the great [design of Thy wisdom]?

  What is he that is born of woman

  in the midst of all Thy terrible [works]?

  He is but an edifice of dust,

  and a thing kneaded with water,

  whose beginning [is sinful iniquity],

  and shameful nakedness,

  [and a fount of uncleanness],

  and over whom a spirit of straying rules.

  If he is wicked he shall become [a sign for] ever,

  and a wonder to (every) generation,

  [and an object of horror to all] flesh.

  By Thy goodness alone is man righteous,

  and with Thy many mercies [Thou strengthenest him].

  Thou wilt adorn him with Thy splendour

  and wilt [cause him to reign amid] many delights

  with everlasting peace and length of days.

  [For Thou hast spoken],

  and Thou wilt not take back Thy word.

  And I, Thy servant,

  I know by the spirit which Thou hast given to me

  [that Thy words are truth],

  and that all Thy works are righteousness,

  and that Thou wilt not take back Thy word

  VI (formerly XIV)

  Hymn 4 (formerly 21)

  [Blessed art Thou,] O Lord

  who hast given understanding

  to the heart of [Thy] servant

  that he may understand all these things

  and resist [the works] of wickedness

  and bless justly all those who choose Thy will,

  [and that he may love all] that Thou lovest

  and loathe all that Thou [hatest].

  Thou shalt instruct Thy servant

  ... [spi]rits of man

  for Thou hast cast their (lot) according to the spirits

  between good and evil

  to accomplish their task.

  And I know through the understanding

  which comes from Thee,

  that in Thy goodwill towards m[a]n

  [Thou hast] increa[sed his inheritance] in Thy Holy Spirit

  and thus Thou hast drawn me near to understanding of Thee.

  And the closer I approach,

  the more am I filled with zeal

  against all the workers of iniquity

  and the men of deceit.

  For none of those who approach Thee

  rebels against Thy command,

  nor do any of those who know Thee

  alter Thy words;

  for Thou art righteous,

  and all Thine elect are truth.

  Thou wilt blot out all injustice and wickedness for ever,

  and Thy righteousness shall be revealed

  before the eyes of all Thy creatures.

  I know through Thy great goodness;

  and with an oath I have undertaken

  never to sin against Thee,

  nor to do anything evil in Thine eyes.

  And thus do I bring into community

  all the men of my Council.
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br />   I will cause each man to draw near

  in accordance with his understanding,

  and according to the greatness of his inheritance,

  so will I love him.

  I will not honour an evil man,

  nor consider [the bribes of shame];

  I will [not] barter Thy truth for riches,

  nor one of Thy precepts for bribes.

  But [I will lo]ve [each ma]n

  according to his sp[eech](?)

  and according as Thou removest him far from Thee,

  so will I hate him;

  and none of those who have turned [from] Thy [Co]venant

  will I bring into the Council [of Thy] t[ruth].

  Hymn 5 (formerly 22)

  [I thank] Thee, O Lord,

  as befits the greatness of Thy power

  and the multitude of Thy marvels for ever and ever.

  [Thou art a merciful God] and rich in [favours],

  pardoning those who repent of their sin

  and visiting the iniquity of the wicked.

  [Thou delightest in] the free-will offering [of the righteous]

  but iniquity Thou hatest always.

  Thou hast favoured me, Thy servant,

  with a spirit of knowledge,

  [that I may choose] truth [and goodness]

  and loathe all the ways of iniquity.

  And I have loved Thee freely

  and with all my heart;

  [contemplating the mysteries of] Thy wisdom

  [I have sought Thee].

  For this is from Thy hand

  and [nothing is done] without [Thy will].

  VII (formerly XV)

  I have loved Thee freely

  and with all my heart and soul

  I have purified...

  [that I might not] turn aside from any of Thy commands.

  I have clung to the Congregation...

  that I might not be separated from any of Thy laws.

  I know through the understanding which comes from Thee

  that righteousness is not in a hand of flesh,

  [that] man [is not master of] his way

  and that it is not in mortals to direct their step.

  I know that the inclination of every spirit

  [is in Thy hand];

  Thou didst establish [all] its [ways] before ever creating it,

  and how can any man change Thy words?

  Thou alone didst [create] the just

  and establish him from the womb

  for the time of goodwill,

  that he might hearken to Thy Covenant

  and walk in all (Thy ways),

  and that [Thou mightest show Thyself great] to him

  in the multitude of Thy mercies,

  and enlarge his straitened soul to eternal salvation,

  to perpetual and unfailing peace.

  Thou wilt raise up his glory

  from among flesh.

  But the wicked Thou didst create

  for [the time] of Thy [wrath],

  Thou didst vow them from the womb

  to the Day of Massacre,

  for they walk in the way which is not good.

  They have despised [Thy Covenant]

  and their souls have loathed Thy [truth];

  they have taken no delight in all Thy commandments

  and have chosen that which Thou hatest.

  [For according to the mysteries] of Thy [wisdom],

  Thou hast ordained them for great chastisements

  before the eyes of all Thy creatures,

  that [for all] eternity

  they may serve as a sign [and a wonder],

  and that [all men] may know Thy glory

  and Thy tremendous power.

  But what is flesh

  that it should understand [these things]?

  And how should [a creature of] dust direct his steps?

  It is Thou who didst shape the spirit

  and establish its work [from the beginning];

  the way of all the living proceeds from Thee.

  I know that no riches equal Thy truth,

  and [have therefore desired

  to enter the Council of] Thy holiness.

  I know that Thou hast chosen them before all others

  and that they shall serve Thee for ever.

  Thou wilt [take no bribe for the deeds of iniquity],

  nor ransom for the works of wickedness;

  for Thou art a God of truth

  and [wilt destroy] all iniquity [for ever,

  and] no [wickedness] shall exist before Thee.

  VIII (formerly XVI)

  Because I know all these things

  my tongue shall utter a reply.

  Bowing down and [confessing all] my transgressions,

  I will seek [Thy] spirit [of knowledge];

  cleaving to Thy spirit of [holiness],

  I will hold fast to the truth of Thy Covenant,

  that [I may serve] Thee in truth and wholeness of heart,

  and that I may love [Thy Name].

  Blessed art Thou, O Lord,

  Maker [of all things and mighty in] deeds:

  all things are Thy work!

  Behold, Thou art pleased to favour [Thy servant],

  and hast graced me with Thy spirit of mercy

  and [with the radiance] of Thy glory.

  Thine, Thine is righteousness,

  for it is Thou who hast done all [these things]!

  I know that Thou hast marked the spirit of the just,

  and therefore I have chosen to keep my hands clean

  in accordance with [Thy] will:

  the soul of Thy servant [has loathed]

  every work of iniquity.

  And I know that man is not righteous

  except through Thee,

  and therefore I implore Thee

  by the spirit which Thou hast given [me]

  to perfect Thy [favours] to Thy servant [for ever],

  purifying me by Thy Holy Spirit,

  and drawing me near to Thee by Thy grace

  according to the abundance of Thy mercies

  [Grant me] the place [of Thy loving-kindness]

  which [Thou hast] chosen for them that love Thee

  and keep [Thy commandments,

  that they may stand] in Thy presence [for] ever.

  Let no scourge [come] near him

  lest he stagger aside from the laws of Thy Covenant.

  I [know, O Lord,

  that Thou art merciful] and compassionate,

  [long]-suffering and [rich] in grace and truth,

  pardoning transgression [and sin].

  Thou repentest of [evil against them that love Thee]

  and keep [Thy] commandments,

  [that] return to Thee with faith

  and wholeness of heart

  ... to serve Thee

  [and to do that which is] good in Thine eyes.

  Reject not the face of Thy servant

  Hymn 6 (formerly I)

  IX (formerly I)

  Thou art long-suffering in Thy judgements

  and righteous in all Thy deeds.

  By Thy wisdom [all things exist from] eternity,

  and before creating them Thou knewest their works

  for ever and ever.

  [Nothing] is done [without Thee]

  and nothing is known unless Thou desire it.

  Thou hast created all the spirits

  [and hast established a statute] and law

  for all their works.

  Thou hast spread the heavens for Thy glory

  and hast [appointed] all [their hosts]

  according to Thy will;

  the mighty winds according to their laws

  before they became angels [of holiness]

  ... and eternal spirits in their dominions;

  the heavenly lights to their mysteries,

  the stars to their paths,

  [the clouds] to their tasks,

  the thunderbolts and lightni
ngs to their duty,

  and the perfect treasuries (of snow and hail)

  to their purposes,

  ... to their mysteries.

  Thou hast created the earth by Thy power

  and the seas and deeps [by Thy might].

  Thou hast fashioned [all] their [inhabi]tants

  according to Thy wisdom,

  and hast appointed all that is in them

  according to Thy will.

  [And] to the spirit of man

  which Thou hast formed in the world,

  [Thou hast given dominion over the works of Thy hands]

  for everlasting days and unending generations.

  ... in their ages

  Thou hast allotted to them tasks

  during all their generations,

  and judgement in their appointed seasons

  according to the rule [of the two spirits.

  For Thou hast established their ways]