i saw nothing but a blur of waving arms , of garlands tossed in the air , of flowers falling , but i heard my father : 'i will go before thee , and make the crooked places straight ... ... and i will give thee the treasures of darkness , and hidden riches of secret places , that thou mayest know that i , the lord , which call thee by thy name , am the god of israeli `` the singing went on and on , following us to the gates of the temple .