NOTE ON PAGE 167. Of the " Eighteen Benedictions," as they are called, the 1st, 2d, and 3rd, the 17th, and 18th and 19th (Prideaux, i. 419-422) are believed to date from Ezra. They are as follows: 1. Blessed be Thou, O Lord, our God, the God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the great God, powerful and tremendous, the high God, bountifully dispensing benefits, the Creator and Possessor of the Universe, who rememberest the good deeds of our fathers, and in Thy love sendest a Redeemer to those who are descended from them, for Thy name's sake, O King, our Helper, our Saviour, and our Shield. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who art the Shield of Abraham. 2. Thou, O Lord, art powerful for ever. Thou raisest the dead to life, and art mighty to save; Thou sendest down the dew, stillest the winds, and makest the rain to come down upon the earth, and sustainest with Thy beneficence all that live therein; and of Thine abundant mercy makest the dead again to live. Thou helpest up those that fall; Thou curest the sick; Thou loosest them that are bound, and makest good Thy Word of Truth to those that sleep in the dust. Who is to be compared to Thee, O Thou Lord of might? and who is like unto Thee, O our King, who killest and makest alive, and makest salvation to spring up as the herb out of the field? Thou art faithful to make the dead to rise again to life. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who raisest the dead again to life. 3. Thou art holy, and Thy name is holy, and Thy Saints do praise Thee every day. For a great King and an holy art Thou, O God. Blessed art Thou, O Lord God most holy. 17. Be Thou well pleased, O Lord our God, with Thy people Israel, and have regard unto their prayers. Restore Thy worship to the inner part of Thy house, and make haste with favor and love to accept of the burnt sacrifices of Israel and their prayers; and let the worship of Israel Thy people be continually well pleasing unto Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who restorest thy Divine presence to Zion. For Thou art the Lord Thou art our Rock, and To all generations will we 18. We will give thanks unto Thee with praise. our God, the God of our fathers for ever and ever. the Rock of our life, the Shield of our salvation. give thanks unto Thee and declare Thy praise; because of our life, which is always in Thy hands; and because of our souls, which are ever depend ing upon Thee; and because of Thy signs, which are every day with us; and because of Thy wonders, and marvellous loving-kindnesses, which are, morning and evening and night, continually before us. Thou art good, for Thy mercies are not consumed; Thou art merciful, for Thy loving-kindnesses fail not. For ever we hope in Thee; and for all these mercies be Thy name, O King, blessed, and exalted and lifted up on high for ever and ever; and let all that live give thanks unto Thee. And let them in truth and sincerity praise Thy name, O God of our salvation and our help. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, whose name is good, and whom it is fitting always to give thanks unto. 19. Give peace, beneficence, and benediction, grace, benignity, and mercy unto us, and to Israel Thy people. Bless us, O our Father, even all of us together as one man. With the light of Thy countenance hast Thou given unto us, O Lord our God, the law of life, and love, and benignity, and righteousness, and blessing, and mercy, and life, and peace. And let it seem good in Thine eyes to bless Thy people Israel with Thy peace at all times and in every moment. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who blessed Thy people Israel with peace. 22 Amen. |