Master’s Hymn from ‘The Community Rule’

At the beginning of the months of the (yearly) seasons

and on the holy days appointed for rememberance,

in their seasons I will bless Him

with the offering of the lips

according to the Precept engraved for ever:

at the beginning of the years

and at the end of their seasons

when their appointed law is fulfilled,

on the day decreed by Him

that they should pass from one to the other--

the seasons of early harvest to the summer time,

the season of sowing to the season of grass,

the seasons of years to their weeks (of years)--

at the beginning of their weeks

for the season of Jubilee.

All my life the engraved Precept shall be on my tongue

as the fruit of praise

and the portion of my lips.

I will sing with knowledge and all my music

shall be for the glory of God.

(My) lyre (and) my harp shall sound

for His holy order

and I will tune the pipe of my lips

to His right measure.

With the coming of day and night

I will enter the Covenant of God,

and when evening and morning depart

I will recite His decrees.

I will place in them my bounds without return. . . .

Before I move my hands and feet

I will bless His Name.

I will praise Him before I go out or enter,

or sit or rise,

and whilst I lie on the couch of my bed.

I will bless Him with the offering

of that which proceeds from my lips

from the midst of the ranks of men,

and before I lift my hands to eat

of the pleasant fruits of the earth.

I will bless Him for His exceeding wonderful deeds

at the beginning of fear and dread

and in the abode of distress and desolation.

I will meditate on His power

and will lean on His mercies all day long.

From “The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English” by Geza Vermes (Allen Lane/Penguin Press: 648 pp., $39.95)