We are the light of the world - Jean Anthony Greif

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 14 February 2006, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

1. GOD BLESS-lf THEM-lf, SUPPORT++ POOR,
HIS-rt,hi KINGDOM SHARE-WITH-lf WILL.
BLESS US, LORD. WE WANT SUPPORT++ POOR;
BLESS US, LORD OUR GOD.

Refrain: WE HAVE LIGHT SHOW"all" WORLD;
HELP (2h)#ALL SEE OUR NAME~SHINY.
HELP THEM-ctr SEE GOOD THINGS WE DO,
AND SHOW"all" GOD HAVE GLORY.

2. GOD BLESS-rt THEM-rt, SEEM HUMBLE, LOWLY.
HE-rt,hi PUT-FIRST, THEY-rt CONTROL PAH.
BLESS US, LORD. WE WANT HUMBLE, LOWLY.
BLESS US, LORD OUR GOD. Refrain

3. GOD BLESS-lf THEM-lf, MOURN, FEEL SORROW,
HE-rt,hi COMFORT THEM-lf WILL.
BLESS US, LORD, WHILE WE COMFORT THEM-lf.
BLESS US, LORD OUR GOD. Refrain

4. GOD BLESS-rt THEM-rt, REALLY-WANT JUSTICE.
THEY-rt SATISFIED WILL.
BLESS US, LORD, WHILE WE DEMAND JUSTICE.
BLESS US, LORD OUR GOD. Refrain

5. GOD BLESS-lf THEM-lf, WILLING HAVE-MERCY-ON-ctr OTHER,
MEAN HE-rt,hi HAVE-MERCY-ON-lf WILL.
BLESS US, LORD, WHILE WE DEMAND HAVE-MERCY-ON-ctr.
BLESS US, LORD OUR GOD. Refrain

6. GOD BLESS-rt THEM-rt, THEIR-rt HEART (<) PURE, (>) HOLY.
THEY-rt SEE-rt,hi GOD WILL.
BLESS US, LORD, MAKE US (<) PURE, (>) HOLY.
BLESS US, LORD OUR GOD. Refrain

7. GOD BLESS-lf THEM-lf, REALLY-WANT PEACE,
THEY-lf GOD HIS-rt,hi CHILDREN.
GOD BLESS US, LORD, WANT PEACE SPREAD.
BLESS US, LORD OUR GOD. Refrain

8. GOD BLESS-rt THEM-rt, IF THEIR-rt FAITH CAUSE SUFFER.
GOD HIS-rt,hi KINGDOM ALSO THEIRS-rt.
GOD BLESS US, LORD, IF THEY-lf PERSECUTE-us US.
BLESS US, LORD OUR GOD. Refrain


Notes: BLESS - (2h)[O^], POs ><, held at mouth. Hands are brought downwards while opening to (2h)[5]. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Bless.

THEM - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored.

KINGDOM - KING + [5], PO down, FO away, circles horizontally. For an animated gif of this sign, see Valley Bible Church - ASL dictionary: Kingdom.

LIGHT - Same sign as BRIGHT and CLEAR, that is, (2h)[O^], POs away, FOs up, open to (2h)[5], while separating. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Light - 1.

(2h)#ALL - (2h)[A], POs ><, FOs up, are held at shoulder height and move away while opening to (2h)[L].

NAME~SHINY - starts like the sign NAME, the NDH - left in place while the DH touches it with the [open 8] (as in the sign FEEL), then moves upwards while twisting the wrist.

GLORY - (2h)[5], POs><, FOs away from signer, DH which is on top wiggles fingers while ascending. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Glory.

LOWLY - (2h)[B^], POs ><, FOs up, move downwards arcing towards the signer. This is the opposite of the sign ADVANCED. For an animated gif of ADVANCED, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Exalted.

PUT-FIRST - [S], PO > NDS, FO away, is held below downturned palm and moves to over the palm.

PAH - Like SUCCEED but "pah" is mouthed and has the meaning of "at long last". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - finally.

SORROW - SAD.

COMFORT - Like CONFORTABLE but slow.

REALLY-WANT - WANT but shaken back and forth to show intensity.

JUSTICE - (2h)[B^], POs ><, FOs up, tap FT while moving in a horizontal circle.

HAVE-MERCY-ON - (2h)[open 8], POs > people who are receiving mercy, hands move in vertical circles normal (perpendicular) to the chest.

PURE - like NICE but the DH moves backwards slightly on the palm, pauses, then moves forward rapidly to show intensity.

HOLY - H-CLEAN. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Holy - 1.

FAITH - F-TRUST.

CAUSE - (2h)[S] are held at the chest as if holding a rope and move forward while opening to (2h)[5]. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - cause.

PERSECUTE-us - (2h)[X], FOs > signer, POs ><, hands alt. slide over each other while moving > signer's body.

Lyrics:

1. Blessed are they who are poor in spirit,
theirs is the kingdom of God.
Bless us, O Lord, make us poor in spirit;
bless us, O Lord, our God.

Refrain: We are the light of the world;
may our light shine before all,
that they may see the good that we do,
and give glory to God.

2. Blessed are they who are meek and humble;
they will inherit the earth.
Bless us, O Lord, make us meek and humble;
bless us, O Lord, our God.

3. Blessed are they who will mourn in sorrow;
they will be comforted.
Bless us, O Lord, when we share their sorrow;
bless us, O Lord, our God.

4. Bless those who hunger and thirst for justice;
they will be satisfied.
Bless us, O Lord, hear our cry for justice;
bless us, O Lord, our God.

5. Blessed are they who show others mercy;
they will know mercy too.
Bless us, O Lord, hear our cry for mercy;
bless us, O Lord, our God.

6. Blessed are hearts that are clean and holy;
they will behold the Lord.
Bless us, O Lord, make us pure and holy;
bless us, O Lord, our God.

7. Blessed are they who bring peace among us;
they are the children of God.
Bless us, O Lord, may your peace be with us;
bless us, O Lord, our God.

8. Bless those who suffer from persecution;
theirs is the kingdom of God.
Bless us, O Lord, when they persecute us;
bless us, O Lord, our God.

treble clef as a symbol for musicTo hear the music (without words), go to MIDI music and click on "We are the light of the world - Upbeat."

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