Paraphrase of Adon Olam

BEFORE the glorious orbs of light,

Had shed one blissful ray,

In awful power, the Lord of might

Reign’d in eternal day.

At His creative, holy word

The voice of nature spoke,

Unnumber’d worlds with one accord,

To living joys awoke.

Then was proclaim’d the mighty King,

In majesty on high!

Then did the holy creatures sing

His praises through the sky.

All merciful in strength he reigns

Immutable! supreme!

His hand the universe sustains,

He only can redeem.

He is the mighty God alone!

His presence fills the world;

He will forever reign the one,

Eternal, only Lord!

Almighty, powerful and just!

Thou art my God, my friend,

My rock, my refuge and my trust,

On Thee my hopes depend.

O! be my guardian whilst I sleep,

For Thou didst lend me breath:

And when I wake, my spirit keep,

And save my soul in death.