The Lord of the universe
Ruled before creation.
When by his will all things came to be,
The name of the Lord was known.
As the Lord creates, he may end the creation,
Remaining alone, unmanifested.
He was, he is, and he shall remain eternal.
He is without beginning;
He is without end.
He is my God, my living strength,
My refuge when I grieve.
He is my only desire.
I live in him alone.
My soul abides in his hands
In sleep as in wakefulness.
Though I leave my body
I will not fear,
For the Lord is with my soul.
Solomon Ibn Gabirol (c. 1021-1058) was a Spanish poet, philosopher, and mystic in of the Jewish tradition. This passage is published in Easwaran’s spiritual anthologies, “God Makes the Rivers to Flow” and “Timeless Wisdom.” The audio recording is by Eknath Easwaran.