E — Wisdom Literature

Bless, My Soul (Barki nafshia-e, 4Q434-438)

1Cave 4 has yielded five manuscripts (4Q434-438) of a poetic composition designated by the opening words of the first section as Barki nafshi or 'Bless, my soul'. A sixth manuscript (4Q439) is said to be akin to it. The pieces translated are not unlike some of the Thanksgiving Hymns, but include no sectarian features. For the editio princeps, see M. Weinfeld and D. Seely, DID, XXIX, 255-334. 4Q434, fr. I Bless, my soul, the Lord for all His marvels for ever, and may His name be blessed. For He has delivered the soul of the poor, and has not despised the humble, and has not forgotten the misery of the deprived. He has opened His eyes towards the distressed, and has heard the cry of the fatherless, and has turned His ears towards their crying. He has been gracious to the humble by His great kindness, and has opened their eyes to see His ways, and [thei]r e[ar]s to hear His teaching. He has circumcised the foreskin of their heart, and has delivered them because of His kindness, and has directed their feet towards the way. He has not forsaken them amid the multitude of their

2misery, neither has He handed them over to the violent, nor has He judged them together with the wicked. [He has] not [directed] His anger against them, neither did he annihilate them in His wrath. While all His furious wrath was not growing weary, He has not judged them in the fire of His ardour, but He has judged them in the greatness of His mercy. The judgements of His eyes were to try them, and He has brought His many mercies among the nations, [and from the hand of] men He has delivered them. He has not judged them (amid) the mass of nations, and in the midst of peoples He has not judged [them]. But He hid them in [His] ... He has turned darkness into light before them, and crooked places into level ground, He has revealed to them abundance of peace and truth. He has made their spirit by measure, and has established their words by weight, and has caused them to sing(?) like flutes. He has given them a [perfect] heart, and they have walked in the w[ay of His heart], He has also caused them to draw near to the w[ay of his heart]. For they have pledged their spirit. He sent and covered them and commanded that no plague [should affect them]. His angel fixed his camp around them; He guarded them lest [the enemy?] destroy them. Fr. 1 ii II... in [their] misery [and] afflicti[on]s [and] He de[liver]ed them [from] all affliction. ... and Thou hast done for them against the sons of man and Thou hast

3delivered them for Thy sake. ... and they expiated for their iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers, and they atoned in wa[ter] ... ... by Thy judgements and to the way which Thou didst teach again... Fr. 2 ... to comfort the poor woman for her mourning... ... the nations to [des]truction and He will raze the peoples. And the wicked... Renew the works of the heaven and of the earth, And they will exult and [the whole earth] will be filled with His glory He will atone [for] their [guilt] and great goodness will comfort them. ... eating its fruit and goodness. Like a man comforted by his mother, so will He comfort them in Jerusal[em. Like a bridegroom] with the bride, so will He dwel[l] with her [for e]ver. [Fo]r His throne is for ever and ever and His glory ... and all the nations. ... the arm[y of heav]en will be in it and their delightful [l]and... I will bless the ... ... Blessed be the name of the Most Hi[gh] ... Fr. 7b ... their portions from there from the des[ert to] the gate of hope. And He made a covenant with them for peace with the birds [of hea]ven and the beasts of the field. He made manure of their enemies, He ground Edom and Moab into dust... 4Q436 (combined with 4Q435i) I understanding to strengthen the contrite heart and the spirit (which is) in it for ever; to comfort the weak in the time of their distress and the

4hands of the fallen so that they may rise; to make instruments of knowledge; to give knowledge to the wise and the upright to increase understanding; so that they may understand Thy deeds which Thou hast done in the years of old, in the years of all generations. Eternal understanding which... before me, and Thou keepest Thy law before me and Thou hast entrusted Thy covenant to me. And Thou dost strengthen the heart... to walk in Thy ways. Thou hast visited my heart and Thou hast sharpened my kidneys (affections) that they may not forget Thy precepts.... Thou hast... Thy law. Thou hast opened my kidneys and hast strengthened me to pursue Thy ways... Thou hast made my mouth into a sharp sword and opened my tongue for words of holiness. And Thou hast set discipline [on them] that they may not meditate on man's actions, on the whisper of his lips. Thou hast strengthened my feet... and with Thy hand Thou hast strengthened my right hand. And Thou hast sent me on the straigh[t path]. ... Thou hast chased away from me. And Thou hast placed a pure heart in its stead; Thou hast chased away the evil inclination [from my] ... II And Thou hast placed [the spirit of holine]ss into my heart and hast taken away from me the eyes of fornication. And Thou hast looked ... Thy [wa]ys; Thou hast removed from me the stiff neck and replaced it with humility. Thou hast taken away [from me] the rage of anger and hast placed in me the spirit of patience [4Q435, fr. 1]. A haughty heart and lofty eyes Thou hast... from me ... to me. Thou hast blotted out the spirit of lies [4Q435 i] ... hast given me ... 4Q437 (combined with 4Q434-5) Fr. 2 i I... from the congregation of the seekers after... They have concealed [a net] to catch me and they pursued [my] sou[l]. ... their [swor]d penetrated their heart and their bows were broken.

5[For all thi]s I will bless Thy name during my life, for Thou hast delivered me from the trap of the nations ... [peo]ples. Thy mercies are a shield around me and Thou hast guarded my soul among the nations... Thou hast [not] made my friends ashamed of me. I have not forgotten Thy precepts. In the affliction of [my] soul [Thou hast not forsaken me, and] Thou hast not hidden Thy face from my supplications. Thou hast seen all my moanings and my iniquitie[s] ... When my spirit was fainting, Thou hast listened to my voice. [Thou hast hildden [me] in Thy quiver [and] ... me. Thou hast made of me a pointed arrow; Thou hast concealed me in the hiding place of Thy palm. [... and from the mud] Thou hast delivered me lest I sink in it, and from the stream of the gentiles lest it sweep me away and from... and I sank in its depth. And from hell Thou hast brought up my soul. Thou hast placed life [before me] and Thou hast seated the congregation of the men of marvels before me. And among the children of righteousness Thou hast comforted me. And according to the line of judgement Thou hast cheered up my soul, And according to the weight of justice Thou hast vivified my spirit. I bless the Lord with al[l my power and I praise] His [g]oodness with the joy of my heart. I have remembered Thee, O Lord, and my heart is firm b[efo]re Thee. I have hoped in Thy salvation, O Lord... I have remembered. And my heart has rejoiced and my horn will rise towards Thee. My soul thirsts. [My] soul [c]leaves to Thee. On thy deeds will I meditate. I have remembered Thee on my [couc]h during the watches of the night.