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Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

The Forgotten Books of Eden · 207 of 293

Odes of Solomon: Ode 15

One of the loveliest Odes in this unusual collection.

1.As the sun is the joy to them that seek for its daybreak, so is my joy the Lord; 2 Because He is my Sun and His rays have lifted me up; and His light hath dispelled all darkness from my face. 3 In Him I have acquired eyes and have seen His holy day: 4 Ears have become mine and I have heard His truth. 5 The thought of knowledge hath been mine, and I have been delighted through Him. 6 The way of error I have left, and have walked towards Him and have received salvation from Him, without grudging. 7 And according to His bounty He hath given to me, and according to His excellent beauty He hath made me. 8 I have put on incorruption through His name: and have put oft corruption by His grace. 9 Death hath been destroyed before my face: and Sheol hath been abolished by my word: 10 And there hath gone up deathless life in the Lord’s land, 11 And it hath been made known to His faithful ones, and hath been given without stint to all those that trust in Him. Hallelujah.

Asked of Guide

Why does the speaker call the Lord a Sun and say He gave eyes and ears?

The Lord as Sun ties salvation to sensory awakening: “His rays have lifted me up,” so darkness is dispelled and the speaker gains sight and hearing. The image says salvation transforms perception — the believer literally sees the “holy day” and hears “His truth,” making knowledge and delight possible.

This ode treats salvation as a creative gift: through the Lord’s beauty the speaker is “made” and “put on incorruption,” while corruption and Death are removed. That language echoes John’s Gospel where Jesus is light and gives sight (John 9) and also echoes later mystical readings in which divine beauty re-forms the soul.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.