Thanksgiving Hymns
The Master's testimony — the persecution of the lying interpreters, the deliverance by God, and the joy of the elect in His covenant.
1I thank Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast placed my soul in the bundle of life. Thou hast set Thy hedge about me from all the snares of the pit; for the violent ones have sought after my soul.
2When I held fast unto Thy covenant they have been my adversaries. They are the company of vanity and the assembly of Belial. They have not known that my standing is of Thee, and that by Thy mercies wilt Thou save my soul; for of Thee are my steps.
3From Thee — from Thee — they have set themselves against my soul, that Thou mightest be glorified by the judgment of the wicked, and that Thou mightest be magnified by them which through me cleave unto Thee. Therefore I shall not be moved.
4Thou hast strengthened me before the battles of wickedness; in all their devastations Thou hast not put me to shame from Thy covenant. Thou hast established me as a strong tower upon a high rampart; Thou hast set my goings upon a rock; even an everlasting foundation hast Thou laid for me; and all my walls are a tested wall that shall not be moved.
5Thou hast set me as a banner for the elect of righteousness, an interpreter of knowledge concerning the wonderful mysteries — to test the men of truth, and to try them that love instruction. I have become a stranger to the seekers of smooth things and a man of contention to all that have eyes for what is true.
6I am a snare unto the rebellious; a healing unto all them which turn from rebellion; an understanding unto the simple; a steadfast resolve unto every fearful heart. Thou hast made of me an object of reproach, and one mocked unto the unfaithful; even the council of truth and an understanding unto the upright of way.
7I have become an object of slander unto the lips of the violent. The deceivers have gnashed at me with their teeth. I have become a song unto the rebels; the assembly of the wicked have raved against me. They have roared like the storms of the sea when their waves cast up filth and mud. But Thou hast made of me a banner; and a tested wall against them all hast Thou established.
8And I — I am dependent upon Thee. By Thy strength have I held fast. Thou hast made my heart firm; Thou hast strengthened me; Thou hast caused my face to shine with Thy covenant. Thou hast not allowed me to deviate after the heart of pride; for in Thy lovingkindness hast Thou supported my soul, and in Thy graces hast Thou brought me up unto the heights of the everlasting.
9I shall give thanks unto Thee, O God of mercies; I shall praise Thy holy name continually. The sons of men shall hear of Thy salvation; the children of dust shall magnify Thy righteousness. Their hearts shall be glad in Thy lovingkindness — for Thou hast made known unto them Thy ways of salvation; and Thou hast revealed unto them the eternal mysteries; and Thou hast set them in the company of Thy holy ones.
10Glory be unto Thee, O God of Israel; and praise be unto Thee from the lips of every righteous one, both now and unto everlasting. Amen, and amen.
