According to the Jewish Virtual Library, the earliest account of Solomon Ibn Gabirol’s life is found in a book by an Arab contemporary.
Described in just over three lines, Gabirol is portrayed as a student of philosophy and logic, with a sharp intellect. The Arab text notes his shyness and untimely demise.
A more detailed account of Solomon Ibn Gabirol is provided by Moshe Ibn Ezra (1060-1139). Ibn Ezra adds that the great poet was born in Malaga, and in fact, there are several poems where the poet refers to himself as Ha Malahi – the Malagan. Amazingly, despite his brief lifetime, more than 400 poems appear in the published editions of his work, and new ones are still being discovered.
Perhaps his most famous poem is The Kingly Crown, which is a hymn of glory to the greatness of God.
Thou art the supreme light, and the eyes of the pure of soul shall see Thee, and clouds
of sin shall hide Thee from the eyes of sinners.
Thou art the light hidden in this world and revealed in the world of beauty, ‘In the mount
of the Lord it shall be seen.’
Thou art the eternal light, and the inward eye yearns for Thee and is astonished – she
shall see but the utmost part of them, and shall not see them all.
(excerpted from The Kingly Crown, Section One, The Praises of God)
