Hodayot (1QHa The Thanksgiving Hymns)

A scroll of prayers and hymns discovered in Cave 1. These are unlike the biblical Psalms in form, and express the religious aspirations of an individual/individuals at that time. Sukenik, The Dead Sea Scrolls of the Hebrew University, 37-39. E.Puech, "Quelques aspects de la restauration du Rouleau des Hymnes (1QH),"Journal of Jewish Studies 39 (1988) 38-40.
1QHa Col.VIII (Sukenik) = Col.XVI (Puech). Note the sewing margin and the similar shape of the tears in the adjacent columns. The blank space at the end of the line divides between separate thanksgiving hymns, each of which opened with the formula: "I thank you, Lord." 1QHa Col.IX (Sukenik) = Col. XVII (Puech). The hymn on this column (lines 1-36) typically thanks God for personal salvation and election, "You have supported me in steadfast faithfulness and with your holy spirit you delighted me" (line 32). 1QHa Col.XI (Sukenik) = Col.XIX (Puech).The scribe changes on line 22. The opening of a hymn on line 27 with a triple blessing is confirmed by 4QHb, one of the six Hodayot manuscripts from Cave 4. Two hymns open on line 3 and line 15 with the m ore standard formula "I thank you, my God."

acknowledgments