1. I was the smallest of my brothers,the youngest of my father’s sons.He made me shepherd of his flock,ruler over their young.
2. My hands made a flute,my fingers a lyre.Let me give glory to the Lord, I thought to myself.
3. The mountainscannot witness to God;the hills cannot proclaim him.But the trees have cherishedmy words,the flocks my deeds.
4. Who can proclaim,who can announce,who can declare the Lord’s deeds?God has seen everything;God has heard everything;God has listened.
5. God sent his prophet to anoint me;Samuel to make me great.My brothers went out to meet him,handsome in form and appearance:
6. Their stature tall,their hair beautiful,but the Lord Goddid not choose them.
7. Instead, he sent and took mefrom following the flock.God anointed me with holy oil;God made me leader for his people,ruler over the childrenof his covenant.