Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature Part 11

For she leaveth her eggs on the earth, And warmeth them in the dust, And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may trample them.

She is hardened against her young ones, as if they were not hers: Though her labour be in vain, she is without fear; Because G.o.d hath deprived her of wisdom, Neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

What time she lifteth up herself on high, She scorneth the horse and his rider.

Hast thou given the horse his might?

Hast thou clothed his neck with the quivering mane?

Hast thou made him to leap as a locust?

The glory of his snorting is terrible.

He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: He goeth out to meet the armed men.

He mocketh at fear and is not dismayed; Neither turneth he back from the sword.

The quiver rattleth against him, The flas.h.i.+ng spear and the javelin.

He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; Neither standeth he still at the voice of the trumpet.

As oft as the trumpet soundeth he saith, Aha!

And he smelleth the battle afar off, The thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

Doth the hawk soar by thy wisdom, And stretch her wings toward the south?

Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, And make her nest on high?

She dwelleth on the rock, and hath her lodging there, Upon the crag of the rock and the strong hold.

From thence she spieth out the prey; Her eyes behold it afar off.

Her young ones also suck up blood: And where the slain are, there is she.

III

SONG OF MOSES AND MIRIAM

TUTTI

_I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously:_ _The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea._ The LORD is my strength and song, And he is become my salvation: This is my G.o.d, and I will praise him; My father's G.o.d, and I will exalt him.

1

MEN

The LORD is a man of war: The LORD is his name.

Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: And his chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.

The deeps cover them: They went down into the depths like a stone.

WOMEN

_Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously:_ _The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea._

2

MEN

Thy right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power, Thy right hand, O LORD, dasheth in pieces the enemy.

And in the greatness of thine excellency thou overthrowest them that rise up against thee: Thou sendest forth thy wrath, it consumeth them as stubble.

And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were piled up, The floods stood upright as an heap; The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil: My l.u.s.t shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: They sank as lead in the mighty waters.

WOMEN

_Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously:_ _The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea._

3

MEN

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the G.o.ds?

Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, The earth swallowed them.

Thou in thy mercy hast led the people which thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in thy strength to thy holy habitation.

The peoples have heard, they tremble: Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.

Then were the dukes of Edom amazed; The mighty men of Moab, trembling taketh hold upon them: All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away.

Terror and dread falleth upon them; By the greatness of thine arm they are as still as a stone; Till thy people pa.s.s over, O LORD, Till the people pa.s.s over which thou hast purchased.

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, The place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, The sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established.

The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

WOMEN

_Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously:_ _The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea._

IV

DEBORAH'S SONG

_Men._ _For that the leaders took the lead in Israel--_

_Women._ _For that the people offered themselves willingly--_

_Tutti._ _Bless ye the LORD!_

PRELUDE

_Men._ Hear, O ye kings--

_Women._ Give ear, O ye princes--

_Men._ I, even I, will sing unto the LORD--

_Women._ I will sing praise to the LORD, the G.o.d of Israel.