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.

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.