Read & explore together
A communal prayer for Israel’s restoration and God’s recognition
Sirach 36:1–17 is a communal prayer from the Catholic additional books. It asks God for mercy, judgement, restoration and public recognition, while remaining prayer language throughout rather than turning into a narrated event.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
The prayer addresses the Lord as “the God of all”. Its requests move from God’s action toward the nations, to the gathering and mercy of Israel, Jerusalem and Zion, and finally to fulfilled prophecy, rewarded waiting and a prayer heard so all the earth may know the Lord.
Sirach 36:1–17Main takeaway
This prayer asks God to act in mercy and judgement so his people are restored and his unique identity is known.
Explore the prayer
01Mercy and God’s powerThe prayer begins by asking the Lord to show mercy and favour. It then asks him to send fear on the nations and lift up his hand against foreign peoples.
Explanation
The prayer begins by asking the Lord to show mercy and favour. It then asks him to send fear on the nations and lift up his hand against foreign peoples. These lines are petitions to God, showing what the speakers ask for rather than describing completed action.
02That all may know who God isThe next request explains a purpose: as God showed holiness, he should now be magnified so others may know him.
Explanation
The next request explains a purpose: as God showed holiness, he should now be magnified so others may know him. The central statement is that there is no God but only him. Requests for signs, wonders, God’s hand and right arm serve that recognition.
03Urgent judgement on enemiesThe prayer becomes severe, asking God to pour out wrath, remove adversaries and destroy enemies.
Explanation
The prayer becomes severe, asking God to pour out wrath, remove adversaries and destroy enemies. It also asks him to hasten the time and remember his oath. The rulers in view are described as proudly saying, “There is no one but ourselves.”
04Gathering, mercy and a heard prayerThe focus then turns to Jacob, Israel, Jerusalem and Zion. The speaker asks God to gather the tribes, show mercy, fill Zion and honour his oracles.
Explanation
The focus then turns to Jacob, Israel, Jerusalem and Zion. The speaker asks God to gather the tribes, show mercy, fill Zion and honour his oracles. The closing requests are for fulfilled prophecy, reward for those who wait, and a heard prayer so all the earth may know the eternal God.
Questions to explore
01What does the prayer want the nations to know about God?
Find the line that says there is no God but only him.
02How does the prayer shift after its strong words about enemies?
Notice the move from wrath and destroyed enemies to gathering Jacob and showing mercy to Israel and Jerusalem.
03What final result does the prayer ask for among all people on earth?
Look at the closing line about what everyone on earth should know.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 36:1–17
1Have mercy upon us, O Lord the God of all, and look at us with favor;
2and send your fear upon all the nations.
3Lift up your hand against the foreign nations and let them see your mighty power.
4As you showed your holiness in us before them, so be magnified in them before us.
5Let them know you, as we also have known you, that there is no God but only you, O God.
6Show new signs, and work various wonders. Glorify your hand and your right arm.
7Raise up indignation and pour out wrath. Take away the adversary and destroy the enemy.
8Hasten the time and remember your oath. Let them declare your mighty works.
9Let him who escapes be devoured by raging fire. May those who harm your people find destruction.
10Crush the heads of the rulers of the enemies who say, “There is no one but ourselves.”
11Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, and take them for your inheritance, as from the beginning.
12O Lord, have mercy upon the people that is called by your name, and upon Israel, whom you likened to a firstborn.
13Have compassion upon the city of your sanctuary, Jerusalem, the place of your rest.
14Fill Zion. Exalt your oracles and fill your people with your glory.
15Give testimony to those who were your creatures in the beginning, and fulfill the prophecies that have been spoken in your name.
16Reward those who wait for you, and men will put their trust in your prophets.
17Listen, O Lord, to the prayer of your servants, according to the blessing of Aaron concerning your people; and all those who are on the earth will know that you are the Lord, the eternal God.