The DSS Psalms

Synopsis
The Dead Sea Scrolls have several versions of the Psalms, containing unique, or rare sections not included in most manuscripts. Some are known to exist as canon in other denominations of Christianity, but one of these Psalms is actually longer that the other extant variety.

As well, one version includes an appendix to the book, praising King David for his contributions to the collection of songs. If included in the canon psalms, along with other apocryphal ones, the number of chapters jumps from 150 to 161, showing that the Psalms as we have it today is significantly different.

Canonicity
Because some of these are canon to some denominations, and others unique to Qumran, the Psalms are a mixed collection.

Dating
2000 BC-100 BC

Col. xviii (cf. 4Q448 A) Psalm 154:3-19 = Syriac Psalm 2
[Unite] 1 your souls with the good ones and with the perfect ones to glorify the Most High. Join to- gether 2 to make his salvation known and do not hesitate to proclaim his power and his glory 3 to all ordinary people. For, wisdom has been granted in order to make yhwh’s glory known, and in order to recount 4 his many deeds she has been taught to man: to make his power known to ordinary people, 5 to instruct his greatness to those lacking judgment, those who are far from her gates, 6 those who are withdrawn Blank from her entrances. For the Most High is the Lord of 7 Blank 8 Blank 9 Jacob and his glory is upon all his deeds. The person who gives glory to the Most High 10 is accepted like one who brings an offering, like one who offers rams and calfs, 11 like one who makes the altar greasy with many holocausts, like the sweet fragrance Blank from the hand of 12 just ones. Her voice is heard from the gates of just ones, and from the assembly of devout ones 13 her song; when they eat to bursting they speak about it, and when they drink in unison 14 with one another; their meditation is on the Law of the Most High, their words (are meant) to make his power known. 15 How distant from wicked people is her word, from all arrogant people her knowledge! See, 16 yhwh’s eyes have pity on good people; he increases his compassion on those who give him glory; 17 he frees [their] soul at the instant of danger. [Bless] yhwh who ransoms the humble from the hand of 18 foreigner[s, who fre]es [the perfect from the wicked man’s hand; who raises a horn from Ja]cob and judges

Col. xix (= 11Q6 4 - 5)
1 (Plea for Deliverance) For a maggot can not give you thanks, and a worm can not tell of your kindness. 2 The living, the living Blank can praise you, even can praise you all those who stumble when you make known 3 your kindness to them, and your justice you instruct to them. For in your hand is the soul of every 4 living being, the breath of all Blank flesh you have given. Deal with us, yhwh, 5 according to your goodness, according to the abundance of your compassion and the abundance of your just acts. yhwh has heard 6 the voice of those loving his Name and has not denied them his kindness. 7 Blessed be yhwh who performs just deeds, who crowns his de- vout 8 with kindness and compassion. My soul cried out to extol your Name, to give thanks with shouts 9 for your kind deeds, to proclaim your faithful- ness; to the praise of you there is no end. I was near to death 10 because of my sins, and my iniquities have sold me to Sheol, but you, 11 yhwh, saved me, according to the abundance of your compassion and the abundance of your just acts. I, too, 12 have loved your Name and I have found refuge in your shelter. When I recall your power my heart is strengthened, 13 and I rely on your kind deeds. Forgive my sin, yhwh, 14 and cleanse me from my iniquity. Bestow on me a spirit of faith and knowledge. Let me not stumble 15 in trans- gression. Let not Satan rule over me, nor an evil spirit; let neither pain nor evil purpose 16 take possession of my bones. Because you, yhwh, are my praise and in you I hope 17 all day. May my brothers be happy with me and my father’s house, who are baffled by your favour 18 ... [... for e]ver I shall rejoice in you

Col. xxi 11 Ben Sira 51:13-19
When I was still young, before I had gone astray, I searched for her. She came to me in her beauty, and up to 12 the end I kept investigating her. Even when the blossom falls, when the grapes are ripening, they make the heart happy. 13 My foot tread on a straight path, for since my youth I have known her. I had hardly bent 14 my ear, when I found much teaching. A wet-nurse she became to me, to my teacher I give 15 my honour. I determined to enjoy myself, I was zealous for good, incessantly. I became ablaze 16 for her, I could not av[e]rt my face. I stirred my soul for her and on her heights I was not 17 calm. ‘My hand’ opened [...] her nakedness I in- spected. I cleansed ‘my hand’ ... 18 [...] ... [...]

Col. xxii (= 4Q88 vii - viii; 11Q6 6)
1 Ben Sira 51:30 (continued) your reward in its time.

Blank (Apostrophe to Zion) I remember you, Zion, for blessing; with all my strength 2 I have loved you. May your memory be blessed for ever! Great is your hope, O Zion; peace 3 will come and the expectation of your salvation. Generation after generation shall dwell in you, and generations of the devout (shall be) 4 your splendour, those hungering for the day of your salvation and who rejoice in the abundance of your glory. Blank At your glorious breast 5 they shall suckle, and they shall scamper about your marvellous squares. The kindnesses of your prophets 6 you will remember, and in the deeds of your devout ones you will revel. Purge ferocity from your midst, may lying 7 and sin be eradicated from you. Blank Your sons will rejoice in your midst and your loved ones will be united with you. 8 How they have waited for your salvation, Blank how your perfect ones have mourned for you! The hope for you does not perish, 9 O Zion, nor is the expectation of you forgotten. Who is the one who perishes being just or who is the one who has been saved 10 in his iniquity? Man is examined according to his path, each one is rewarded according to his deeds. Blank All round (you), 11 O Zion, your enemies are quelled and all those who hate you are scattered. A pleasant scent is your praise, O Zion, 12 rising throughout the whole world. Many times I remember you for blessing; with all my heart I bless you. 13 May you receive everlasting justice and the bless- ings of the glorious ones may you obtain! Acquire a vision 14 spoken in your regard, and dreams of prophets requested for you! Be glorified and magnified, O Zion! 15 Praise the Most High, your Saviour! May my soul be happy in your glory! Blank

Col. xxiv 3 Psalm 155 = Syriac Psalm 3
yhwh, I call to you, listen to me; I extend my hands 4 to your holy dwelling; bend your ear and grant my plea, and what I ask, 5 do not deny me; build up my soul and do not demolish it; and do not forsake it in the presence of 6 wicked people. May the judge of truth turn away from me the recompenses of evil. O yhwh, 7 do not judge me by my sin because no-one living is just in your presence. 8 Instruct me, yhwh, in your law, and teach me your precepts 9 so that many may hear your deeds and nations may honour your glory. 10 Remember me and do not forget me or lead me into difficulties to great for me. 11 Remove the sin of my childhood from me and may my offences not be remembered against me. 12 Purify me, O yhwh, from evil plague, and may it stop coming back to /me/; dry up 13 its roots from me, may its lea[ve]s not become green in me. Glory are you, yhwh, 14 therefore my plea is achieved in your presence. To whom may I shout that he would grant it to me? 15 The sons of men: what can [their] stren[gth] do? My trust stems from be[fo]re you, yhwh. 16 I called « yhwh » and he answered me, [and he healed] my broken heart. I slumbered 17 and [sle]pt; I dreamt, also [... yhw]h

Col. xxvi 9
(Hymn to the Creator) Great and Holy are you, yhwh, the Most Holy from generation to generation. In front of him walks glory 10 and behind him the din of many waters. Kindness and truth are around his face, truth, 11 up- rightness and justice are the base of his throne. He separated light from dark- ness, the dawn he established with the knowledge of 12 his heart. Then all his angels saw and sang for he showed them what they had not known. 13 He crowns the mountains with produce Blank perfect nourishment for all the liv- ing. Blessed be he who made 14 the earth with his strength, who established the world with his wisdom. With his knowledge he spread out the heavens, and brought out 15 [the wind] from [his] sto[rehouses: lightning flashes] he made [for the rai]n and made the fogs go up from the end of

Col. xxvii 1
2 Sam 23:7 and the wood of an axe, and with fire they are completely burned on the place. 2 Blank (Compositions of David) And David, son of Jesse, was wise, and a light like the light of the sun, /and/ learned, 3 Blank and discerning, and perfect in all his paths before God and men. And 4 Blank yhwh gave him a discerning and enlightened spirit. And he wrote psalms: 5 three thousand six hundred; and songs to be sung before the altar over the perpetual 6 offering of every day, for all the days of the year: three hundred 7 and sixty-four; and for the sabbath offerings: fifty-two songs; and for the offerings of the first days of 8 the months, and for all the days of the festivals, and for the ‹Day› of Atone- ment: thirty songs. 9 And all the songs which he spoke were four hundred and forty-six. And songs 10 to perform over the possessed: four. The total was four thousand and fifty. 11 All these he spoke through (the spirit of) prophecy which had been given to him from before the Most High. Blank

Col. xxviii 3 Psalm 151A
A Halleluia of David, son of Jesse. I was smaller than my brothers and the youngest of my father’s sons; he made me 4 shepherd of his flock and ruler over his kid goats. My hands made a flute, my fingers a lyre, 5 and I gave glory to yhwh. I said to myself: the mountains do not witness 6 to me, nor do the hills proclaim on my behalf, the trees my words and the flock my deeds. 7 Who, then, is going to announce and who will speak and who will recount my deeds? The Lord of all saw, the God 8 of all, he heard, and he listened. He sent his prophet to anoint me, Samuel 9 to make me great. My brothers went out to meet him, handsome of figure and handsome of ap- pearance. Though they were tall of stature, 10 handsome Blank by their hair, yhwh God did not choose them, but sent to fetch me 11 from behind the flock and anointed me with holy oil, and made me leader of his people /and ruler/ over the sons of 12 his covenant. Blank 13 Psalm 151B Beginning of David’s po[w]er, after God’s prophet had anointed him. Then I saw a Philistine 14 threatening from the ra[nks of the Philistines.] I [...] ... [...]

Col. i
2 [...] and who weeps for him [...] 3 [...] oath [...] 4 [...] by YHWH [...] 5 [...] dragon 6 [...] the ear[th ...] 7 [...] exor[cising ...] 8 [...] ... [...] 9 [...] this [...] 10 [...] the demon [...] 11 [...] he will dwell [...]

Col. ii
1 [...] ... [...] 2 [...] Solomon, and he will invo[ke ...] 3 [... the spir]its and the demons, [...] 4 [...] These are [the de]mons, and the Pri[nce of Animosi]ty 5 [... w]ho [...] the aby[ss ...] 6 [...] ... [...] the gre[at ...] ... 7 [...] ... [...] his people ... cure, 8 [...] have relied [upon] your name. And invo[ke] 9 [...] Israel. Lean 10 [on YHWH, the God of gods, he who made] the heavens 11 [and the earth and all that is in them, w]ho separated 12 [light from darkness ...] ... [...]

Col. iii
1 ... [...] the depth[s ...] 2 the earth and [... the] earth. Who ma[de these portents] 3 and won[ders upon the] earth? It is he, YHWH, [who] 4 made t[hese through] his [streng]th, who summons all [his] a[ngels] 5 and all [the holy] se[ed] to st[a]nd before [him, and calls as witness] 6 [all the he]avens and [all] the earth [against them] who committed against 7 [all me]n sin, and against every m[an evil. But] they know 8 his [wonder]ful [secrets,] which they do not [...]. If they do not 9 [refrain] out of fear of YHWH from [... and] from killing the soul, 10 [...] yhwh, and they will fear that great [blow (?)]. 11 [O]ne among you [will chase after a] th[ousand ...] those who serve YHW[H] 12 [... g]reat. And [...] ... [...]

Col. iv
1 [and] great [...] adjuring [...] 2 and the great [...] powerful and [...] 3 the whole earth [...] heavens and [...] 4 YHWH will strike you with a [mighty] bl[ow] to destroy you [...] 5 and in the fury of his anger [he will send] a powerful angel against you, [to carry out] 6 [all] his [comm]and, (one) who [will not show] you mercy, wh[o ...] 7 [...] above all these, who will [bring] you [down] to the great abyss, 8 [and to] the deepest [Sheol.] And ... [...] ... And it will be very dark 9 [in the gr]eat [abyss. No ... lo]nger over the earth 10 [...] for ever. And [...] with the curse of Aba[ddon,] 11 [...] the fury ofY[HWH]’s anger. [... in] darkness for a[ll] 12 [periods of] humiliation [...] your gift 13 [...] ... [...] ... [...]

Col. v
1 [...] ... [...] 2 which [...] the possessed one[s ...] 3 the volunteers of [... Ra]phael has healed [them. Amen, Amen. Selah.] Blank 4 Of David. Ag[ainst ... An incanta]tion in the name of YHWH]. Invoke at an]y time. 5 the heave[ns. When] he comes upon you in the nig[ht,] you shall [s]ay to him: 6 Who are you, [oh offspring of] man and of the seed of the ho[ly] ones? Your face is a face of 7 [delus]ion, and your horns are horns of illu[si]on. You are darkness and not light, 8 [injus]tice and not justice. [...] the chief of the army. yhwh [will bring] you [down] 9 [to the] deepest [Sheo]l, [he will shut] the two bronze [ga]tes through [which n]o 10 light [penetrates.] [On you shall] not [shine the] sun, whi[ch rises] 11 [upon the] just man to [...] You shall say [...] 12 [... the ju]st man, to go [...] a de[mon] mistreats him. [...] 13 [... tr]uth from ... [... because jus]tice is with him [...] 14 [...] ... [...]

Col. vi
1 [...] ... [...] ... [...] ... 2 [...] ... [...] ... [... for] ever 3 [all the] sons of Bel[ial. Amen. Amen.] Selah. [Ps 91 Of David. He that lives] in the shelter of [the Most High, in the shadow of] the Allmighty 4 [he stays.] He who says [to yhwh: My refuge] and [my] fortress, [my God] is the safety in which [I trust.] 5 [For h]e will save you from the [net of the fow]ler, from the dead[ly] pesti- lence. [With] his feathers he will cover [you,] and under 6 his [wings] you shall lodge. [His] kindness [up]on you will be a shield, and his truth a breast- plate. Selah. Blank You shall not fear 7 the dread of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the plague that rages at [n]oon, or the pestilence that [in dar]kness 8 proceeds. A thousand will f[a]ll at your side, te[n thousand at] your [ri]ght, [but you] it shall [no]t strike. Only [look] 9 with your eyes [and you shall see] the retribution of the wicked [ones.] You [have invo]ked [your] shel[ter, ...] his happiness. [Not] 10 will you see [evil, and] not will [a plague] strike [in] your [ten]ts. Fo[r] he has commanded [his angels] concerning you, 11 to safegu[ard you on] your [paths. They shall lift] you upon their palms, so that [your] foot does not [trip on a st]one. [Upon] 12 viper [and asp shall you s]tep, you will tramp[le lion] and dragon. You have loved [yhwh] and he [will rescue you] 13 and [protect you and sh]ow you [his] salvati[on. Selah.] Blank [...] 14 And [they] shall ans[wer: Amen. Amen.] Selah. [...] Blank [...] 15 [...] Blank [...] Blank [...]