Psalms
Scroll
Tehillim
Parchment
Copied ca. 30 - 50 C.E.
Height 18.5 cm (7 1/4 in.), length 86 cm (33 3/4 in.)
Courtesy of the Israel Antiquties Authority
This impressive
scroll is a collection of psalms and hymns, comprising parts of forty-one
biblical psalms (chiefly form chapters 101-50), in non-canonical sequence and
with variations in detail. It also presents previously unknown hymns, as well
as a prose passage about the psalms composed by King David.
One of the
longer texts to be found at Qumran, the manuscript was found in 1956 in Cave 11
and unrolled in 1961. Its surface is the thickest of any of the scrolls-Äit may
be of calfskin rather than sheepskin, which was the more common writing
material at Qumran. The script is on the grain side of the skin. The scroll
contains twenty-eight incomplete columns of text, six of which are displayed
here (cols. 14-19). Each of the preserved columns contains fourteen to
seventeen lines; it is clear that six to seven lines are lacking at the bottom
of each column.
The scroll's
script is of fine quality, with the letters carefully drawn in the Jewish
book-hand style of the Herodian period. The Tetragrammaton (the four-letter
divine name), however, is written in the paleo-Hebrew script.
Reference:
Sanders,
J. A. The Psalms Scroll of Qumran Cave 11 (11QPsa). Discoveries in the Judaean
Desert, IV. Oxford, 1965.
English
Translation of the Psalms Scroll (Tehillim) 11QPs
Courtesy of the
Israel Antiquities Authority
Column 19: Plea
for Deliverance (A Noncanonical Psalm)
Surely a maggot cannot praise thee nor a grave worm recount
thy loving-kindness.
But the living can praise thee, even those who stumble can
laud thee. In revealing
thy kindness to them and by thy righteousness thou dost
enlighten them. For in thy hand is the soul of every
living thing; the breath of all flesh hast thou given. Deal
with us, O LORD,
according to thy goodness, according to thy great mercy,
and according to thy many righteous deeds. The LORD
has heeded the voice of those who love his name and has not
deprived them of his loving-kindness.
Blessed be the LORD, who executes righteous deeds, crowning
his saints
with loving-kindness and mercy. My soul cries out to praise
thy name, to sing high praises
for thy loving deeds, to proclaim thy faithfulness--of
praise of thee there is no end. Near death
was I for my sins, and my iniquities have sold me to the
grave; but thou didst save me,
O LORD, according to thy great mercy, and according to thy
many righteous deeds. Indeed have I
loved thy name, and in thy protection have I found refuge.
When I remember thy might my heart
is brave, and upon thy mercies do I lean. Forgive my sin, O
LORD,
and purify me from my iniquity. Vouchsafe me a spirit of
faith and knowledge, and let me not be dishonored
in ruin. Let not Satan rule over me, nor an unclean spirit;
neither let pain nor the evil
inclination take possession of my bones. For thou, O LORD, art
my praise, and in thee do I hope
all the day. Let my brothers rejoice with me and the house
of my father, who are astonished by the graciousness...
[ ] For e[ver] I will rejoice in thee.
Transcription
and translation by J. A. Sanders