A dramatic, sacred hymn inspired by a Psalm from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Music by Kevin G. Pace. Text adaptation by Kathryn W. Hales.

YouTube video: Hymn to the Creator, hymn

Text:
Great and holy is the Lord,
The holiest unto ev'ry nation;
Majesty proceedeth Him
A Light to generations.
Trailing after Him is the rushing
of the living water pure;
Grace and verity surround Him,
His presence is a healing cure.

Justice and righteousness
Are the foundation of His throne.
Truth is bound in covenant
To those He calls His very own.
Separating light from darkness
By the knowledge of His mind,
He establishes the new dawn,
For He is gracious, good and kind.

He sends forth from his great store
So the gentle mists do rise.
Lightning rains poureth forth
From overflowing endless skies.
Mountains with their fruit and precious grains
Are with His wind so crowned,
That all living man or creature
In splendid fruitfulness abounds.

When the angels saw the sight,
They sang their joyful songs aloud,
For He showed what was unknown
To hosts among the billowed clouds.
Blessed is the Lord of wisdom,
The Creator's blessed hour
Angels sang with joyful voices,
Proclaiming His great holy pow'r.

*Adapted from “Hymn to the Creator,” 11Q5 (11QPsa), col. 26, lines 9–15. See James A. Sanders, The Psalms
Scroll of Qumrân Cave 11 (11QPsa), Discoveries in the Judaean Desert IV (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1965), pp. 89–91.