Chapter Forty-Three

A glorification of the creative greatness and power of the Lord.

Sirach 43:1. The greatness of the height, the firmament of purity, the sight of heaven in glorious manifestation! 1. Who will be satisfied with beholding the glory of the Lord (Sir 42:26), who will not come into rapturous reverence at the sight of the greatness of the height, purity, the firmament of heaven, at the sight of heaven in the manifestation of all its glory.

Sirach 43:2. The sun, when it appears, proclaims them at its rising: a wonderful creation, the work of the Most High! Sirach 43:3. At its midday it dries the earth, and who can withstand the heat of it? Sirach 43:4. They heat the furnace for works of melting, but the sun burns mountains threefold more: breathing forth flames of fire and gleaming with rays, it blinds the eyes. Sirach 43:5. Great is the Lord, who created it, and by His word it hastily runs its path. Sirach 43:6. And the moon serves all at its time as an indication of times and a sign of the age: 6. Verses 7–8 explain this.

Sirach 43:7. From the moon comes the indication of the festival; its light diminishes upon reaching its fullness; Sirach 43:8. The month is named after it; it increases wonderfully in its changes; Sirach 43:9. It is the head of the heavenly hosts; it shines on the firmament of heaven; 9. Like radiant eyes of the heavenly hosts, that is, beings of a higher order, the moon shines on the firmament of heaven.

Sirach 43:10. The beauty of heaven, the glory of stars, the shining ornament, the Lord on high! 10. The beauty of heaven, the glory of stars, the shining ornament of all the heavenly vault is the manifestation of the glory and power of the Lord on the heights.

Sirach 43:11. By the word of the Holy One the stars stand in order and do not grow weary in their watch. Sirach 43:12. Behold the rainbow, and glorify Him who made it: beautiful is it in its radiance! Sirach 43:13. By its magnificent circle it embraces the heaven; the hands of the Most High have stretched it out. Sirach 43:14. By His command snow quickly falls, and swift lightning flashes of His judgment. Sirach 43:15. The treasuries are opened and clouds fly forth from them like birds. Sirach 43:16. By His might He strengthens the clouds, and the stones of hail are broken; Sirach 43:17. At His sight the mountains are shaken, and by His will the south wind blows. 17. The south wind driven into Palestine from the heated Arabian deserts is regarded as one of the manifestations of the terrible divine justice toward ungodly humanity. On the effects of the south hot wind see verse 23.

Sirach 43:18. The sound of His thunder shakes the earth, and the north storm and whirlwind. Sirach 43:19. He scatters snow like flying-down feathered creatures, and its falling is like descending locusts; Sirach 43:20. The eye marvels at the beauty of its whiteness, and the heart is amazed at its falling. Sirach 43:21. And like salt, He scatters frost on the earth, and it freezes and becomes sharp-pointed. Sirach 43:22. The north cold wind blows, and ice forms from water: it spreads over every body of water, and water is clothed as though in armor; Sirach 43:23. It consumes mountains, and burns the desert, and like fire, scorches the grass. 23. This describes the effects of the burning sun and burning south wind. See verse 24.

Sirach 43:24. But swift healing serves everything; the appearing dew cools from the heat. Sirach 43:25. By His command the Lord subdues the abyss and plants islands in it. Sirach 43:26. Those sailing on the sea recount the dangers on it, and we marvel at what we hear with our ears: Sirach 43:27. For there are extraordinary and wonderful deeds there, a variety of all kinds of beasts, kinds of sea-monsters. Sirach 43:28. Through Him all things successfully achieve their purpose, and all things are held together by His word. Sirach 43:29. Much can we say, and yet we will not comprehend Him, and the conclusion of words: He is everything. 29. However much we study the things and phenomena of the visible and spiritual world, we are not able to comprehend all the power, wisdom, and glory of the Lord. In the end, we will comprehend only one thing, that He is everything—both the Creator and the unwearying Providence of the world.

Sirach 43:30. Where will we find strength to glorify Him? For He is above all His works. Sirach 43:31. The Lord is terrible and very great, and marvelous is His power! Sirach 43:32. When you glorify the Lord, exalt Him as much as you can, but He will still be greater; Sirach 43:33. And when you magnify Him, add strength: but do not grow weary, for you will not comprehend. Sirach 43:34. Who has seen Him, and can explain? And who can glorify Him as He is? 34. See the note to Sir 42:17.

Sirach 43:35. Much is hidden, which is far greater than this; for we see only a small part of His works. Sirach 43:36. Everything was created by the Lord, and to the godly He gave wisdom.