The Sinaites’ Musical Liturgy – 1st Sabbath in August

[Our ‘musical’ liturgy

borrows from Christian hymn composers

though we take the liberty

of revising the lyrics

when the words do not reflect

the Sinaite’s belief system.  

To those familiar with the original words,

the revisions might sound strange,

even awkward,

but to those who can’t remember the original lyrics,

the rewritten text not only fit quite nicely,

but also teach the Torah.  

Have a peaceful and joyful Sabbath rest,

Sinaites and Sabbath-keepers!

—Admin1].

 

 

————————

 

 

Kindle the Sabbath Lights

 

Lord YHWH,

Creator of the Universe:

You commanded us to set apart the seventh day,

to cease from our striving

and rest from our toiling,

so that we might delight in a day off

from our daily routines

that occupy us six days a week.

 

We obey Your 4th Commandment, 

Oh YHWH,

True Lord of the Sabbath,

the First Sabbath-Keeper

on the first sabbath on Creation week.

We emulate the symbolic Jewish tradition

of kindling Sabbath lights

to signify the end of our workweek,

to prepare to welcome Your Queen of Days,

and  begin our celebration

at sundown Friday.

 

 

 

[Original Tune:

 “Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown”]

Author: E. S. Elliot (1864)
Tune: MARGARET (Matthews)

 

[Revised Lyrics]

 

1 Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,

When on Sinai Thou didst come down,

In thundering sound, in flashes of Light,

Condescending to human sight,

Thy Glorious Presence hidden

Unseen by humanity.

 

2  No angelic trumpets to herald Thee,

to the throng of slaves just free,

Free from bondage, from Pharaoh, from non-stop toil,  

but not free from idolatry . . . 

With souls still enslaved, still yearning

to return to captivity.

 

3.  On that fateful day that would pave the way

for the meeting of God and Man,

With Divinity and humanity in covenant-unity,

Thou entered into a treaty, 

Lord, King, God of Israel!

 

4.  Thou didst come to us with Thy Law in Hand,

Teaching us how to live Thy Way,

From Sinai the time when Thy Voice was heard,

To our times when we read Thy Word,

We hear and we heed Thy Teaching,

In our hearts, in our minds, O King!

 

5.  May the life we live, may the love we give,

Be acceptable to Thee,

As an offering on Thy Altar bring

All the best of our ‘everything’!

“We praise Thee, O Lord YAHUWAH”,

On this Sabbath Day we sing!

 

PSALM 97

 

1   The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;

    let the distant shores rejoice.

2   Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;

 righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.

3   Fire goes before Him

    and consumes His foes on every side.

4   His lightning lights up the world;

    the earth sees and trembles.

5   The mountains melt like wax before YHWH,

    before the LORD of all the earth.

6   The heavens proclaim His righteousness,

    and all peoples see His glory.

7   All who worship images are put to shame,

    those who boast in idols—

    worship Him, all you gods!

8   Zion hears and rejoices

    and the villages of Judah are glad

    because of Your judgments, LORD.

9   For You, YHWH, are the Most High over all the earth;

    You are exalted far above all gods.

10   Let those who love YHWH hate evil,

    for He guards the lives of His faithful ones

    and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11   Light shines on the righteous

    and joy on the upright in heart.

12   Rejoice in YHWH, you who are righteous,

    and praise His holy name.

 

 

[Original Tune:  This is my Father’s World]

English melody arr. by Franklin L. Sheppard, pub.1915

Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901 alt.

 

[Slightly Revised Lyrics]

 

 This is YAHUWAH’s world,

And to my list’ning ears

All nature sings, and around me rings

 The music of the spheres.

Cho:  This is YAHUWAH’s world:

I [will] rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, and of skies and seas—

His Hand [all] these wonders [have] wrought.

 

 

This is YAHUWAH’s world:

[All] the birds their carols raise,

The morning light [dazzling in my sight]

Declare their MAKER’s praise.

Cho:  This is YAHUWAH’s world:

There’s so much of it to share,

His Mark it bears, how He shows He cares,

His Message I find everywhere.

 

This is YAHUWAH’s world:

Keep in mind and ne’er forget,

That though the wrong often seem so strong,

He is the Ruler yet.

Cho:  This is YAHUWAH’s world,

Let His Banner be unfurled,

Let Him be known, let His Will be done,

Till Heav’n  and  earth will be one.

 

[Original Tune:  Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings]

Johnson Oatman, Jr., pub.1897

Edwin O. Excell, 1897

[Original Lyrics]

 

 When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God has done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

 

 

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

[Is your burden]  heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God has done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

 

 

 When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that God has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God has done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

 

 

 So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God has done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

 

 

[Take time to count your blessings:

Family: Parents, Spouse, Children,

Siblings, Extended Relatives, In-Laws

Friends & Specific Concerns]

 

 

 

 

 HAVDALAH

 

[Original Tune: Take Time to Be Holy]

William D. Longstaff, ca.1882

George C. Stebbins, 1890

[Revised Lyrics]

 

Take time to be holy, pray oft to the Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of His children, help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

 

 

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret, with YHWH alone.

By looking to YHWH, His Image Thou be;

Thy friends in thy conduct, His likeness shall see.

 

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;

And run not before Him, whatever betide.

In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,

And heeding His Torah, still trust in His Word.

 

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive beneath His control.

Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

 

Shabbat Shalom

to all Sabbath-Keepers

among our Jewish

and Christian friends,

from the Sinai 6000

Core Community!