Thanksgiving Hymns
I thank Thee, O Lord — the opening hymns of the Master, confessing the lowliness of the creature and the loving-kindness of the Creator.
1I thank Thee, O Lord — for Thou hast set me as a banner unto the elect of righteousness, and as one that knoweth the wonders of Thy mysteries. Thou hast tried me, that I might appear unto the simple as a refuge of truth and an interpreter of knowledge concerning Thy wonderful mysteries.
2Thou hast caused me to know Thee from a young man — even from the womb of my mother. Thou hast dealt graciously with me; and from the bowels of her that conceived me, Thy goodness hath been over me. Even from the breasts of her that bore me hast Thy mercy been with me; and in the bosom of my nurse hast Thou nourished me.
3From my youth Thou hast appeared unto me by the wisdom of Thy judgments. With sure truth hast Thou upheld me. With Thy holy spirit hast Thou delighted me. Even unto this day Thou guidest me. The chastisement of Thy righteousness is in mine heart; and the keepers of Thy covenant are about me — even the angels of Thy presence — to be with me alway.
4But what is flesh that it may understand these things? And how shall a being of dust be wise concerning Thy great counsel? What is he that is born of woman among all Thine awesome works? He is a thing of clay, kneaded with water; his foundation is the shame of nakedness; and a corrupt spirit ruleth over him.
5If he do iniquity, it shall be for him a perpetual sign of shame; if he do righteousness, it is wholly of Thee. To Thee — to Thee alone, O God of knowledge — belongeth all righteousness, and the deed of perfection. The sons of men, on the other hand, have no part in Thy gifts, save by Thy good pleasure.
6I, even I, who am dust and ashes, what can I devise that is not according to Thine appointed will? What can I think apart from Thy good pleasure? How shall I be strong, save when Thou establishest me? How shall I be wise, save by the wisdom that Thou hast given? What shall I say, that Thou hast not spoken? How shall I answer, save in the breath that Thou hast put in me?
7Yet behold — Thou hast brought me into Thy covenant. Thou hast set me apart from the womb. Thou hast appointed me a place among Thy holy ones. Thou hast given me an inheritance among the angels of the presence. Thou hast purified me by Thy spirit of holiness, that I might draw nigh unto Thy will, that I might love Thy name, that I might cleave unto whatsoever Thou lovest, and that I might abhor whatsoever Thou hatest.
8I thank Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast not cast my lot among the congregation of vanity, nor placed my portion in the assembly of dissemblers. Rather, Thou hast called me unto Thy lovingkindness; Thou hast caused Thy mercies to come upon me. Through the abundance of Thy mercies hast Thou brought me unto the springs of forgiveness, and hast caused me to walk before Thy face.
9Therefore my mouth shall recount Thy righteousness, and my tongue Thy lovingkindness all the day long. I shall recount the marvels of Thy works; my lips shall make known Thy faithfulness; for unto Thee — unto Thee alone — it doth belong to make wise, and to establish in everlasting truth.
10Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who hast given understanding unto Thy servant — that he may know Thee, and may bless Thy name, and may delight in Thy tender mercies all the days of his life. Selah, and Amen.
