What words should we use to praise God? Is the divine too awesome for words? All too often our attempts to worship him founder as we struggle to express ourselves, and it’s at times like those that recourse to prayers of the past can be so useful. Many across the years have communicated their thoughts in ways we can scarcely begin to, capturing a breathtaking sense of God in all his wonder. Such is the case for me with the following traditional Ethiopian-Jewish prayer, featured in my book A Calendar of Classic Prayer. It doesn’t just express what I want to say; in a very real sense it carries me into the very presence of God!
You alone are God.
You were from of old,
and you will be until eternity, always, first and last,
now and always for ever and ever.
Your epoch will not come to an end;
you are the same and your kingdom will not be abolished.
Your power is invincible and your strength untiring.
Your magnificence will not be humbled,
the splendour of your name not be dispelled,
the praise of your exalted fame not be diminished,
your light not be darkened,
your decree not be abrogated,
the pillar of your word not be overthrown,
your wisdom not fall into error,
your counsel not be concealed.
You alone are God, God of all,
Lord of all,
king of all,
creator of all,
conqueror of all,
sovereign over all,
slayer of all,
destroyer of all,
saviour of all,
life of all,
sustainer of all,
protector of all,
restorer of all,
raiser of all,
supporter of all,
helper of all,
a righteous God over all creation.
Amen.