THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 ^/ 
 
 
 - i 
 
 ^^ 
 
 v^ ^ 
 
 I 
 
 \
 
 Songs of Zion
 
 Songs of Zion by 
 Hebrew Singers of 
 Mediaeval Times 
 
 Translated into English 
 Verse by Mrs. Henry Lucas 
 
 1 
 
 London : Published by 
 J. M. Dent and Co. 
 at Aldine House in 
 Great Eastern Street loQ^
 
 
 ^ 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 859924 
 
 PAGE 
 
 I. Ode to Zion, .... Jehuda Halevi, i 
 
 II. 'God ! whom shall I compare to Thee?' 
 
 Jehuda Halevi, 6 
 
 III. Servant of God (Hymn for the Day of Atone- 
 
 ment), .... Jehuda Halevi., 9 
 
 IV. My King (Hymn for New Year), 
 
 Moses b. Nachnian, 13 
 
 V, To THE Soul, . . . Jehuda Halevi, 16 
 
 VI. Sabbath Hymn, . . .Shelomo Halevi, 18 
 
 VII. O Sleeper! wake, arise! . Jehuda Halevi, 20 
 
 VI 11. The Land of Peace^ . Solomon ibn Gebirol, 24 
 
 IX, The Heart's Desire (Hymn for the Day of 
 
 Atonement), . . . Jehuda Halevi, 26 
 
 X. O Soul, with Storms Beset ! 
 
 Solomon ibn Gebirol, 29 
 
 XI. Sanctification, . . Joseph ibn Abitiir, 33
 
 iv CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 XII. Hymn of Praise, . . Abraham ibn Ezra, 39 
 
 XIII. Passover Hymn, . . . /eJmda Halevi, 41 
 
 XIV. Morning Prayer, . . . [ehuda Halevi, 44 
 XV. Judgment and Mercy {Hymn for New Year), 45 
 
 XVI. Grace after Meals, 48 
 
 XVII. 'Lord OF THE Universe,' .... 51 
 
 XVIII. Hymn for the Conclusion of the Sabbath, 53 
 
 XIX. God and Man, . . . Jehuda Halevi, 56 
 
 XX. Hymn for Tabernacles, 
 
 Eleazar b. Jacob Kalir, 60 
 
 XXI. Hymn for Pentecost, . . Jehuda Halevi, 62 
 
 XXII. Hymn of Glory, 63 
 
 XXIII. Hymn of Unity for the Seven Days of 
 
 the Week, . . . . . . 66 
 
 XXIV. Penitential Prayer, . Moses ibn Ezra, 71 
 XXV. The Living God we Praise, • • • 75
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 The originals of the following poems are, with one 
 or two exceptions, to be found in the Sabbath and 
 festival prayer-books in use in the synagogues of 
 English and foreign Jewish communities. By far 
 the larger number come to us from mediseval Spain, 
 where Hebrew poetry reached the highest point of 
 devotional and poetical excellence. There the 
 Jewish hymnologists were alike poets and philoso- 
 phers, and the stream of learning and cultivation, 
 mingling with that of poetry, flowed through the 
 plains of religious life and enriched them in a 
 thousand ways, while the fruit of the tree of know- 
 ledge was used both to enlighten and strengthen 
 religious faith, and to adorn and beautify divine 
 service.
 
 vi INTRODUCTION 
 
 For some centuries after Judea ceased to be a 
 separate state, Hebrew poetry remained as it had 
 been in Bible times, i.e. unrhymed and undivided 
 into lines and stanzas. 
 
 But little by little the Spanish Jews became 
 acquainted with the poetry of the Arabs, and the 
 natural result was the adoption of rhyme, and later 
 still of stanzas, often elaborately arranged. The 
 originals of all the following translations are rhymed 
 — some in couplets, some in stanzas ; but it has 
 seldom been found possible to reproduce with 
 absolute exactness the verse-arrangement of the 
 Hebrew, as to the number of lines and rhymes in 
 each stanza. It is impossible to say with certainty 
 when rhyme first appeared in Hebrew poetry, still 
 less can it be ascertained when the stanza became 
 part of it ; but both are to be found in the writings 
 of Eleazar b. Jacob Kalir, who lived about the 
 middle of the tenth century, probably in the south 
 of Italy. His style is terse, and often obscure, 
 crowded with images, complicated by new forms 
 of words and phrases, and frequently rendered 
 artificial by involved versification, rhymes, and
 
 INTRODUCTION vii 
 
 acrostics, but full of poetic fervour and enthusiasm. 
 He composed upwards of two hundred poems for 
 divine service, many of which are still retained in 
 the liturgies of French, German, and Itahan Jews. 
 
 Kalir's compositions became the general type 
 and model of Jewish hymnology, until towards the 
 middle of the following century, when Hebrew 
 poetry, in Spain at least, took a higher and more 
 unfettered flight. 
 
 Among a number of more or less well-known poets 
 four shine out with especial lustre : these four are 
 Solomon Ibn Gebirol, Moses Ibn Ezra, Abraham Ibn 
 Ezra, and, greatest of all, Jehuda Halevi. All four 
 were philosophers as well as poets, but their poetical 
 works are all that need be mentioned here. 
 
 Solomon Ibn Gebirol (b. 102 1) was a native of 
 Malaga. His parents died early, and appear to 
 have left him without means. It is uncertain when 
 he left Malaga for Saragossa, but we hear of him in 
 the latter place as enjoying the protection of Jekutiel 
 Ibn Hassan, who held a high position in that town 
 under King Jachya Ibn Moudair. But a rebellion, 
 which cast the king from the throne, cost Jekutiel
 
 viii INTRODUCTION 
 
 his life, and Gebirol his patron, a loss which he 
 lamented in a touching elegy of more than two 
 hundred verses. This elegy was far from being 
 Gebirol's first poetic flight : his earliest known 
 poem was composed in his nineteenth year, and 
 consisted of a Hebrew grammar in verse, in which 
 his extraordinary fluency and ease of diction 
 triumphs even over the dry difficulties of his sub- 
 ject. All his poems, both secular and religious, 
 are distinguished by their flowing and harmonious 
 verse. Those that treat of his personal fortune 
 and feelings are of a melancholy and somewhat 
 egotistic tone, but his liturgic poems are full of the 
 purest and loftiest religious thought. Among them 
 are to be found every variety of religious poetry, 
 hymns of praise and penitence, thanksgivings, 
 lamentations and prayers for fasts and feasts. But 
 his best known and most important composition is 
 the series of half religious, half philosophical poems, 
 called 'Keter Malchut' (Crown of Sovereignty) in 
 which he pours forth all his thoughts on religion, 
 all his speculations, all his ardent love of and 
 gratitude to God, besides all that he has learned
 
 INTRODUCTION ix 
 
 from the theology of his own nation, and the science 
 and wisdom of the age in which he Hved. Few 
 further details are known of Ibn Gebirol's life. It 
 is said that the first persecution of the Jews in 
 Spain since its conquest by Islam (the attack on 
 Joseph Ibn Nagrela and his Jewish fellow-citizens 
 in Granada, 1066) embittered the last years of the 
 poet, and he died after many wanderings, in the 
 year 1070, in Valencia. 
 
 Moses Ibn Ezra was the second and most dis- 
 tinguished of four brothers Ibn Ezra of Granada, 
 who were all learned and wealthy. The dates both 
 of his birth and death are uncertain, but the former 
 is supposed to be about 1070, the latter 1139. An 
 unfortunate attachment appears to have first aroused 
 his muse, and like Ibn Gebirol his secular poems 
 are chiefly occupied with describing his own feelings 
 and bewailing his own fate. As a religious poet 
 he was extraordinarily prolific, and his penitential 
 poems ('Selichot') are especially numerous. He 
 had a wonderful command of language, and en- 
 riched Hebrew poetry with a variety of metres, but 
 the very interest he took in the form of his verse
 
 X INTRODUCTION 
 
 has sometimes an unfavourable effect on its contents, 
 and his poems have neither the spontaneity of 
 Gebirol nor the majesty of Halevi. His penitential 
 hymns, however, show much earnestness of feeling 
 and poetic enthusiasm. He was held in high 
 honour by his contemporaries, and Jehuda Halevi, 
 with whom he had been on friendly terms, and with 
 whom he corresponded for years, wrote a touching 
 tribute to his memory.^ 
 
 Abraham Ibn Ezra (born about 1088, died 1167) 
 was at once theologian, philosopher, comm.entator, 
 grammarian, mathematician, traveller, and poet. It 
 must, however, be confessed that he was too much 
 of a critical philosopher- to be a true poet. His 
 religious poems are not so much hymns as a series 
 of reflections on the high destiny of man, whom God 
 has endowed with thought and intellect, and who 
 ought therefore to use these gifts in His service. 
 But the elevated tone and strong religious feeling of 
 Ibn Ezra's poems give him an honourable place 
 among the poets of his nation, while his extra- 
 
 ^ See Graetz, History of the Jews. 
 
 " Sach, History of the Religious Poetry of the Jews in Spain.
 
 INTRODUCTION xi 
 
 ordinarily varied talents, and the adventures of his 
 wandering life, make him too interesting a figm-e to 
 be passed over in silence. His early life was spent 
 in Toledo, but want of means compelled him to 
 seek a livelihood elsewhere. He was, however, not 
 destined to be wealthy, and he declared quaintly, 
 that if he ' took to candle-making as a trade, the sun 
 would never set again until the hour of his death.' 
 His wanderings led him by turns to Italy, France, 
 Egypt, Palestine, and England. During his sojourn 
 in London in the course of 1158, he wrote a treatise 
 called 'Yesod Moreh' (Foundation of Religion), 
 which he dedicated to Jacob Ben Joseph of London, 
 and also his ' Sabbath Epistle,' which he says he 
 wrote ' in one of the cities of the island called the 
 "corner of the earth" (Angleterre), for it is in the 
 last of the seven divisions of the inhabited earth.' ^ 
 He continued his wandering life for many years, and 
 died at Calahorra on the borders of Navarre and 
 Aragon. 
 
 Jehuda Halevi, the greatest Hebrew poet of Spain, 
 or indeed of any other country since the Psalmists, 
 ^ See The Jews of Angevin England, J. Jacobs.
 
 xii INTRODUCTION 
 
 was born in Old Castile in 1086. His life presents 
 no very striking incidents. After studying at the 
 college of Lucena, he decided on adopting the 
 medical profession, and became a physician on 
 returning to Toledo, his native place. Here he 
 practised many years, and appears to have been 
 highly esteemed as a doctor, for he writes to a 
 friend that ' the city is large, and that he is busily 
 engaged curing the illness of the inhabitants,' But 
 he longed, he says in the same letter, for the time 
 when he may depart and ' seek some place of living 
 knowledge, the fountain of wisdom.' ^ All his life 
 he had been filled with a passionate desire to visit 
 the Holy Land, and at last (about 11 40) he bade 
 farewell to his only daughter, his grandson, and a 
 large circle of friends and pupils, and started on his 
 pilgrimage. His poems, describing the perils of the 
 journey, and especially of the sea voyage, are over- 
 flowing with the finest poetic imagery, but most 
 beautiful of all is his ' Ode to Zion,' which, according 
 to tradition, he composed at the very gates of 
 Jerusalem. The legend tells how, while he was 
 
 ^ See Graetz, History of the Jews.
 
 INTRODUCTION 4H 
 
 reciting it, an Arab soldier rode over him and killed 
 him, just as he was about to set foot in the holy 
 city. It is, however, more than probable that he 
 never came even thus near the goal of his desires, 
 but that he died on the journey from Egypt to 
 Palestine. 
 
 Jehuda Halevi has enriched the Jewish liturgy 
 with at least three hundred poems, for the celebra- 
 tion of the various fasts and feasts of the Jewish 
 calendar. Their flowing and harmonious verse, and 
 the mastery displayed in them over the pure Hebrew 
 of the Bible is only a small part of their attractions ; 
 the wonderful mingling of religious fervour with the 
 true spirit of poetry is what constitutes their inner 
 charm, of which, it is to be hoped, traces may still 
 be found even in a translation. A strong national 
 spirit pervades his poetry, and when, in his ' Songs 
 of Zion,' he sings of the past and future glories of 
 Jerusalem, and mourns over her present sorrows, his 
 muse rises to a height which may not unfitly be 
 compared even to the Psalms. Heine, in his de- 
 lightful, but utterly untranslatable, fragment ' Jehuda 
 Ben Halevy,' dwells especially on this tendency, and
 
 xiv INTRODUCTION 
 
 tells how the poet, like all other minstrels of his 
 time, loved a fair lady, whom he celebrated in his 
 verse. 
 
 ' But a wan and woeful maiden 
 Was his love : a mournful image 
 Of despair and desolation, 
 Who was named Jerusalem. 
 
 Even in his early boyhood 
 Did he love her, deeply, truly. 
 And a thrill of passion shook him 
 ^.> At the word Jerusalem.' 
 
 / And the ' Ode to Zion ' is thus described : — 
 
 ' Tears of pearl, that on the golden 
 Thread of rhyme are strung together. 
 From the shining forge of poetry 
 Have come forth in song celestial. 
 
 And this is the song of Zion, 
 That Jehuda ben Halevy 
 Sang when dying on the holy 
 Ruins of Jerusalem.' 
 
 No star of similar magnitude has risen on the 
 Jewish horizon since Jehuda Halevi's ' pillar of fire '
 
 INTRODUCTION xv 
 
 vanished from the scene, but many lesser lights 
 pierced the darkness of the Middle Ages, and 
 brightened the pages of the old Machsors (prayer- 
 books) in tim'^s of anxiety and persecution, when 
 the synagogue service gave the only touch of light 
 and colour, of peace and gladness. But with the 
 end of the twelfth century the golden age of Hebrew 
 poetry ended likewise. Moses ben Nachman (born 
 about 1195, died about 1270) maybe cited as the 
 author of a truly magnificent poem for the New Year 
 festival, and here and there in the course of the 
 three following centuries, an otherwise unknown 
 name appears as the writer of some well-known hymn, 
 as for instance the familiar 'Sabbath Hymn' by 
 R. Shelomo Halevi, who is said to have lived at 
 Safet in the sixteenth century. But the days of 
 Solomon Gebirol and Jehuda Halevi were past and 
 gone, and Hebrew poetry, after three centuries of 
 song, has again sunk to silence, from which it seems 
 little likely to be aroused.
 
 Ode to Zion 
 
 Art thou not, Zion, fain 
 
 To send forth greetings from thy sacred rock 
 
 Unto thy captive train, 
 
 Who greet thee as the remnants of thy flock ? 
 
 Take thou on every side — 
 
 East, west, and south, and north — their greetings 
 
 multipHed. 
 Sadly he greets thee still. 
 The prisoner of hope, who, day and night, 
 Sheds ceaseless tears, like dew on Hermon's hill — 
 Would that they fell upon thy mountain's height ! 
 
 Harsh is my voice when I bewail thy woes, 
 
 But when in fancy's dream 
 
 I see thy freedom, forth its cadence flows 
 
 Sweet as the harps that hung by Babel's stream. 
 
 My heart is sore distressed 
 
 For Bethel ever blessed, 
 
 A
 
 2 ODE TO ZION 
 
 For Peniel, and each ancient, sacred place. 
 
 The holy presence there 
 
 To thee is present where 
 
 Thy Maker opes thy gates, the gates of heaven to face. 
 
 The glory of the Lord will ever be 
 
 Thy sole and perfect light ; 
 
 No need hast thou, then, to illumine thee, 
 
 Of sun by day, or moon and stars by night. 
 
 I would that, where God's Spirit was of yore 
 
 Poured out unto thy holy ones, I might 
 
 There too my soul outpour ! 
 
 The house of kings and throne of God wert thou, 
 
 How comes it then that now 
 
 Slaves fill the throne where sat thy kings before ? 
 
 O ! who will lead me on 
 
 To seek the spots where, in far-distant years. 
 
 The angels in their glory dawned upon 
 
 Thy messengers and seers ? 
 
 O ! who will give me wings 
 
 That I may fly away, 
 
 And there, at rest from all my wanderings,
 
 ODE TO ZION 3 
 
 The ruins of my heart among thy ruins lay ? 
 
 I '11 bend my face unto thy soil, and hold 
 
 Thy stones as precious gold. 
 
 And when in Hebron I have stood beside 
 
 My fathers' tombs, then will I pass in turn 
 
 Thy plains and forest wide, 
 
 Until I stand on Gilead and discern 
 
 Mount Hor and Mount Abarim, 'neath whose 
 
 crest 
 Thy luminaries twain, thy guides and beacons 
 
 rest. 
 
 Thy air is life unto my soul, thy grains 
 
 Of dust are myrrh, thy streams with honey flow ; 
 
 Naked and barefoot, to thy ruined fanes 
 
 How gladly would I go ; 
 
 To where the ark was treasured, and in dim 
 
 Recesses dwelt the holy cherubim. 
 
 I rend the beauty of my locks, and cry 
 In bitter wrath against the cruel fate 
 That bids thy holy Nazarites to lie 
 In earth contaminate.
 
 4 ODETOZION 
 
 How can I make or meat or drink my care, 
 
 How can mine eyes enjoy 
 
 The light of day, when I see ravens tear 
 
 Thy eagles' flesh, and dogs thy lions' whelps 
 
 destroy ? 
 Away ! thou cup of sorrow's poisoned gall ! 
 Scarce can ray soul thy bitterness sustain. 
 When I Ahola unto mind recall, 
 I taste thy venom ; and when once again 
 Upon Aholiba I muse, thy dregs I drain. 
 
 Perfect in beauty, Zion ! how in thee 
 
 Do love and grace unite ! 
 
 The souls of thy companions tenderly 
 
 Turn unto thee ; thy joy was their delight. 
 
 And, weeping, they lament thy ruin now. 
 
 In distant exile, for thy sacred height 
 
 They long, and towards thy gates in prayer they 
 
 bow. 
 Thy flocks are scattered o'er the barren waste, 
 Yet do they not forget thy sheltering fold. 
 Unto thy garments' fringe they cling, and haste 
 The branches of thy palms to seize and hold.
 
 ODE TO ZION 
 
 Shinar and Pathros ! come they near to thee ? 
 
 Nought are they by thy Light and Right divine. 
 
 To what can be compared the majesty 
 
 Of thy anointed Hne ? 
 
 To what the singers, seers, and Levites thine ? 
 
 The rule of idols fails and is cast down, 
 
 Thy power eternal is, from age to age thy crown. 
 
 The Lord desires thee for his dwelling-place 
 
 Eternally; and blest 
 
 Is he whom God has chosen for the grace 
 
 Within thy courts to rest. 
 
 Happy is he that watches, drawing near. 
 
 Until he sees thy glorious lights arise, 
 
 And over whom thy dawn breaks full and clear 
 
 Set in the orient skies. 
 
 But happiest he, who, with exultant eyes, 
 
 The bliss of thy redeemed ones shall behold, 
 
 And see thy youth renewed as in the days of old. 
 
 JEHUDA HALEVI.
 
 11 
 
 'God! Whom shall I compare to Thee?' 
 
 God ! whom shall I compare to Thee, 
 When Thou to none canst likened be ? 
 Under what image shall I dare 
 To picture Thee, when ev'rywhere 
 All Nature's forms Thine impress bear ? 
 
 Greater, O Lord ! Thy glories are 
 Than all the heavenly chariot far. 
 Whose mind can grasp Thy world's design ? 
 Whose word can fitly Thee define ? 
 Whose tongue set forth Thy powers divine ? 
 
 Can heart approach, can eye behold 
 Thee in Thy righteousness untold ? 
 Whom didst Thou to Thy counsel call, 
 When there was none to speak withal 
 Since Thou wast first and Lord of all ? 
 
 6
 
 GOD ! WHOM SHALL I COMPARE TO THEE? 7 
 
 Thy world eternal witness bears 
 That none its Maker's glory shares. 
 Thy wisdom is made manifest 
 In all things formed by Thy behest, 
 All with Thy seal's clear mark imprest. 
 
 Before the pillars of the sky 
 
 Were raised, before the mountains high 
 
 Were wrought, ere hills and dales were known. 
 
 Thou in Thy majesty alone 
 
 Didst sit, O God ! upon Thy throne ! 
 
 Hearts, seeking Thee, from search refrain, 
 And weary tongues their praise restrain. 
 Thyself unbound by time and place, 
 Thou dost pervade, support, embrace 
 The world and all created space. 
 
 The sages' minds bewildered grow. 
 The lightning speed of thought is slow. 
 ' Awful in praises ' art Thou named ; 
 Thou fillest, strong in strength proclaimed, 
 This universe Thy hand has framed.
 
 S GOD ! WHOM SHALL I COMPARE TO THEE? 
 
 Deep, deep beyond all fathoming, 
 Far, far beyond all measuring, 
 We can but seek Thy deeds alone ; 
 When bow Thy saints before Thy throne 
 Then is Thy faithfulness made known. 
 
 Thy righteousness we can discern, 
 Thy holy law proclaim and learn. 
 Is not Thy presence near alway 
 To them who penitently pray, 
 But far from those who sinning stray? 
 
 Pure souls behold Thee, and no need 
 Have they of light : they hear and heed 
 Thee with the mind's keen ear, although 
 The ear of flesh be dull and slow. 
 Their voices answer to and fro. 
 
 Thy holiness for ever they proclaim : 
 
 The Lord of Hosts ! thrice holy is His name ! 
 
 JEHUDA HALEVI.
 
 Ill 
 
 Servant of God 
 
 O ! would that I might be 
 
 A servant unto Thee, 
 
 Thou God by all adored : 
 
 Then, though by friends out-cast, 
 
 Thy hand would hold me fast. 
 
 And draw me near to Thee, my King and Lord. 
 
 Spirit and flesh are Thine, 
 
 O Heavenly Shepherd mine ! 
 
 My hopes, my thoughts, my fears. Thou seest all, 
 
 Thou measurest my path, my steps dost know. 
 
 When Thou upholdest, who can make me fall ? 
 
 When Thou restrainest, who can bid me go ? 
 
 O ! would that I might be 
 
 A servant unto Thee, 
 
 d
 
 lo SERVANT OF GOD 
 
 Thou God, by all adored. 
 
 Then, though by friends out-cast, 
 
 Thy hand would hold me fast, 
 
 And draw me near to Thee, my King and Lord ! 
 
 Fain would my heart come nigh 
 
 To Thee, O God ! on high, 
 
 But evil thoughts have led me far astray 
 
 From the pure path of righteous government. 
 
 Guide Thou me back into Thy holy way, 
 
 And count me not as one impenitent. 
 
 O ! would that I might be 
 
 A servant unto Thee, 
 
 Thou God, by all adored. 
 
 Then, though by friends out-cast, 
 
 Thy hand would hold me fast. 
 
 And draw me near to Thee, my King and Lord ! 
 
 If in my youth I still 
 
 Fail to perform Thy will, 
 
 What can I hope when age shall chill my breast? 
 
 Heal me, O Lord ! with Thee is healing found —
 
 SERVANT OF GOD il 
 
 Cast me not off, by weight of years opprest, 
 Forsake me not when age my strength has bound. 
 O ! would that I might be 
 A servant unto Thee, 
 Thou God, by all adored. 
 Then, though by friends out-cast, 
 Thy hand would hold me fast. 
 And draw me near to Thee, my King and 
 Lord! 
 
 Contrite and full of dread, 
 
 I mourn each moment fled 
 
 Midst idle follies roaming desolate ; 
 
 I sink beneath transgressions manifold. 
 
 That from Thy presence keep me separate ; 
 
 Nor can sin-darkened eyes Thy light behold. 
 
 O ! would that I might be 
 
 A servant unto Thee, 
 
 Thou God, by all adored. 
 
 Then, though by friends out-cast, 
 
 Thy hand would hold me fast, 
 
 And draw me near to Thee, my King and Lord !
 
 12 SERVANT OF GOD 
 
 So lead me that I may 
 
 Thy sovereign will obey. 
 
 Make pure my heart to seek Thy truth divine ; 
 
 When burns my wound, be Thou with healing near! 
 
 Answer me, Lord ! for sore distress is mine, 
 
 And say unto Thy servant, I am here ! 
 
 O ! would that I might be 
 
 A servant unto Thee, 
 
 Thou God, by all adored ! 
 
 Then, though by friends out-cast, 
 
 Thy hand would hold me fast. 
 
 And draw me near to Thee, my King and Lord ! 
 
 JEHUDA HALEVI.
 
 IV 
 
 , My King 
 
 Ere time began, ere age to age had thrilled, 
 I waited in His storehouse, as He willed ; 
 He gave me being, but, my years fulfilled, 
 I shall be summoned back before the King. 
 
 He called the hidden to the light of day. 
 To right and left, each side the fountain lay, 
 From out the stream and down the steps, the way 
 That led me to the garden of the King. 
 
 Thou gavest me a light my path to guide, 
 To prove my heart's recesses still untried ; 
 And as I went. Thy voice in warning cried : 
 
 ' Child ! fear thou Him Who is thy God and King ! ' 
 
 13
 
 14 MY KING 
 
 True weight and measure learned my heart from Thee; 
 If blessings follow, then what joy for me ! 
 If nought but sin, all mine the shame must be, 
 For that was not determined by the King. 
 
 I hasten, trembling, to confess the whole 
 Of my transgressions, ere I reach the goal 
 Where mine own words must witness 'gainst my soul, 
 And who dares doubt the writing of the King ? 
 
 Erring, I wandered in the wilderness. 
 In passion's grave nigh sinking powerless : 
 Now deeply I repent, in sore distress. 
 That I kept not the statutes of the King ! 
 
 With worldly longings was my bosom fraught, 
 Earth's idle toys and follies all I sought ; 
 Ah ! when He judges joys so dearly bought. 
 How greatly shall I fear my Lord and King ! 
 
 Now conscience- stricken, humbled to the dust. 
 Doubting himself, in Thee alone his trust, 
 He shrinks in terror back, for God is just — 
 How can a sinner hope to reach the King ?
 
 MY KING IS 
 
 ! be Thy mercy in the balance laid, 
 
 To hold Thy servant's sins more lightly weighed, 
 When, his confession penitently made, 
 He answers for his guilt before the King. 
 
 Thine is the love, O God ! and Thine the grace, 
 That folds the sinner in its mild embrace ; 
 Thine the forgiveness bridging o'er the space 
 
 'Twixt man's works and the task set by the King, 
 
 Unheeding all my sins, I cling to Thee ! 
 
 1 know that mercy will Thy footstool be : 
 Before I call, O ! do Thou answer me, 
 
 For nothing dare I claim of Thee, my King ! 
 
 O Thou Who makest guilt to disappear, 
 My help, my hope, my rock, I will not fear ; 
 Though Thou the body hold in dungeon drear. 
 The soul has found the palace of the King. 
 
 MOSES b. NACHMAN.
 
 To THE Soul 
 
 O THOU, who springest gloriously 
 
 From thy Creator's fountain blest, 
 
 Arise, depart, for this is not thy rest ! 
 The way is long, thou must prepared be, 
 
 Thy Maker bids thee seek thy goal — 
 
 Return then to thy rest, my soul, 
 For bountifully has God dealt with thee. 
 
 Behold ! I am a stranger here. 
 
 My days like fleeting shadows seem. 
 
 When wilt thou, if not now, thy life redeem ? 
 
 And when thou seek'st thy Maker have no fear. 
 For if thou have but purified 
 Thy heart from stain of sin and pride. 
 
 Thy righteous deeds to Him shall draw thee near. 
 
 16
 
 TO THE SOUL 17 
 
 O thou in strength who treadest, learn 
 
 To know thyself, cast dreams away ! 
 
 The goal is distant far, and short the day. 
 What canst thou plead th' Almighty's grace to earn? 
 
 Would thou the glory of the Lord 
 
 Behold, O soul? With prompt accord 
 Then to thy Father's house return, return ! 
 
 JEHUDA HALEVI.
 
 VI 
 
 Sabbath Hymn 
 
 Come forth, my friend, the bride to meet 
 Come, O my friend, the Sabbath greet ! 
 
 'Observe ye' and 'remember' still 
 The Sabbath— thus His holy will 
 God in one utterance did proclaim. 
 The Lord is one, and one His name 
 To His renown and praise and fame. 
 
 Come forth, my friend, the bride to meet, 
 Come, O my friend, the Sabbath greet ! 
 
 Greet we the Sabbath at our door, 
 
 Well-spring of blessing evermore. 
 
 With everlasting gladness fraught, 
 
 Of old ordained, divinely taught. 
 
 Last in creation, first in thought. 
 
 Come forth, my friend, the bride to meet. 
 Come, O my friend, the Sabbath greet ! 
 
 18
 
 SABBATH HYMN , 19 
 
 Arouse thyself, awake and shine, 
 
 For, Id ! it comes, the light divine. 
 
 Give forth a song, for over thee 
 
 The glory of the Lord shall be 
 
 Revealed in beauty speedily. 
 
 Come forth, my friend, the bride to meet, 
 Come, O my friend, the Sabbath greet ! 
 
 Crown of thy husband, come in peace, , 
 Come, bidding toil and trouble cease. 
 With joy and cheerfulness abide 
 Among thy people true and tried, 
 Thy faithful people — come, O bride ! 
 
 Come forth, my friend, the bride to meet, 
 Come, O my friend, the Sabbath greet ! 
 
 SHELOMO HALEVI,
 
 Vll 
 
 O Sleeper! wake, arise! 
 
 O SLEEPER ! wake, arise ! 
 
 Delusive follies shun, 
 
 Keep from the ways of men and raise thine eyes 
 
 To the exalted One. 
 
 Hasten as haste the starry orbs of gold 
 
 To serve the Rock of old. 
 O sleeper ! rise and call upon thy God ! 
 
 Behold the firmament 
 His hands have wrought on high, 
 See how His mighty arms uphold the tent 
 Of His ethereal sky. 
 
 And mark the host of stars that heaven reveals — 
 His graven rings and seals. 
 Tremble before His majesty and hope 
 
 20
 
 O SLEEPER! WAKE, ARISE! 21 
 
 For His salvation still, 
 Lest, when for thee the gates of fortune ope, 
 
 False pride thy spirit fill. 
 O sleeper ! rise and call upon thy God ! 
 
 Go seek at night abroad 
 Their footsteps, who erewhile 
 Were saints on earth, whose lips with hymns o'er- 
 flowed, 
 
 Whose hearts were free from guile. 
 Their nights were spent in ceaseless prayer and 
 praise. 
 
 In pious fast their days. 
 Their souls were paths to God, and by His throne 
 
 Their place is set anigh. 
 Their road through life was but a stepping-stone 
 
 Unto the Lord on high. 
 O sleeper ! rise and call upon thy God ! 
 
 Weep for thy sins, and pause 
 In wrongful deeds, to implore 
 God's pardoning grace, nor fret thyself because 
 Of evildoers more.
 
 22 O SLEEPER! WAKE, ARISE! 
 
 Cleave to the right, and of thy substance bring 
 
 To honour Him, thy King. 
 When saviours then Mount Zion joyfully 
 
 Ascend with eager feet, 
 And nations shout for gladness, thou wilt be 
 
 Prepared thy God to meet. 
 O sleeper ! rise and call upon thy God I 
 
 Whence does man's wisdom flow — 
 
 Man, who of dust is wrought, 
 
 Whose poor pre-eminence on earth does show 
 
 Over the beast as nought ? 
 Only those gazing with the inward eye 
 
 Behold God's majesty : 
 They have the well-spring of their being found. 
 
 More precious far than wine. 
 Thou also thus, though by earth's fetters bound, 
 
 Mayst find thy Rock divine. 
 O sleeper ! rise and call upon thy God ! 
 
 The Lord is Lord of all, 
 His hands hold life and death, 
 He bids the lowly rise, the lofty fall, 
 The world obeys His breath.
 
 O SLEEPER! WAKE, ARISE! 23 
 
 Keep judgment, then, and live and cast aside 
 
 False and rebellious pride, 
 That asketh when and where, and all below 
 
 And all above would know ; 
 But be thou perfect with the Lord thy God ! 
 O sleeper ! rise and call upon thy God ! 
 
 JEHUDA HALEVI.
 
 VIII 
 
 The Land of Peace 
 
 Whose works, O Lord, like Thine can be, 
 Who 'neath Thy throne of grace, 
 
 For those pure souls from earth set free, 
 Hast made a dwelling-place? 
 
 There are the sinless spirits bound 
 
 Up in the bond of life, 
 The weary there new strength have found 
 
 The weak have rest from strife. 
 
 Sweet peace and calm their spirits bless. 
 Who reach that heavenly home, 
 
 And never-ending pleasantness — 
 Such is the world to come. 
 
 2i
 
 THE LAND OF PEACE 25 
 
 There glorious visions manifold 
 
 Those happy ones delight, 
 And in God's presence they behold 
 
 Themselves and Him aright. 
 
 In the King's palace they abide, 
 
 And at His table eat. 
 With kingly dainties satisfied, 
 
 Spiritual food most sweet. 
 
 This is the rest for ever sure, 
 
 This is the heritage. 
 Whose goodness and whose bliss endure 
 
 Unchanged from age to age. 
 
 This is the land the spirit knows 
 
 That everlastingly 
 With milk and honey overflows — 
 
 And such its fruit shall be. 
 
 SOLOMON IBN GEBIROL.
 
 IX 
 
 The Heart's Desire 
 
 Lord ! unto Thee are ever manifest 
 My inmost heart's desires, though unexprest 
 In spoken words. Thy mercy I implore 
 Even for a moment — then to die were blest. 
 
 O ! if I might but win that grace divine, 
 Into Thy hand, O Lord, I would resign 
 My spirit then, and lay me down in peace 
 To my repose, and sweetest sleep were mine. 
 
 Afar from Thee in midst of life I die, 
 
 And life in death I find, when Thou art nigh. 
 
 Alas ! I know not how to seek Thy face. 
 
 Nor how to serve and worship Thee, Most High. 
 
 26
 
 THE HEART'S DESIRE 27 
 
 ! lead me in Thy path, and turn again 
 My heart's captivity, and break in twain 
 The yoke of folly : teach me to afflict 
 
 My soul, the while I yet life's strength retain. 
 
 Despise not Thou my lowly penitence, 
 Ere comes the day, when, deadened every sense, 
 My limbs too feeble grown to bear my weight, 
 A burden to myself, I journey hence. 
 
 When to the all-consuming moth a prey. 
 My wasted form sinks slowly to decay, 
 And I shall seek the place my fathers sought, 
 And find my rest there where at rest are they. 
 
 1 am on earth a sojourner, a guest. 
 And my inheritance is in her breast, 
 
 My youth has sought as yet its own desires. 
 When will my soul's true welfare be my quest ? 
 
 The world is too much with me, and its din 
 Prevents my search eternal peace to win. 
 How can I serve my Maker when my heart 
 Is passion's captive, is a slave to sin ?
 
 28 THE HEART'S DESIRE 
 
 But should /strive to scale ambition's height, 
 Who with the worm may sleep ere fall of nighl ? 
 Or can I joy in happiness to-day 
 Who know not what may chance by morning's light? 
 
 My days and nights will soon, with restless speed, 
 Consume life's remnant yet to me decreed ; 
 Then half my body shall the winds disperse, 
 Half will return to dust, as dust indeed. 
 
 What more can I allege ? From youth to age 
 Passion pursues me still at every stage. 
 If Thou art not my portion, what is mine ? 
 Lacking Thy favour, what my heritage ? 
 
 Bare of good deeds, scorched by tenrptation's fire 
 Yet to Thy mercy dares my soul aspire ; 
 But wherefore speech prolong, since unto Thee, 
 O Lord, is manifest my heart's desire ? 
 
 JEHUDA HAI.EVI.
 
 X 
 
 O Soul, with Storms Beset! 
 
 O SOUL, with storms beset ! 
 
 Thy griefs and cares forget. 
 
 Why dread earth's transient woe, 
 When soon thy body in the grave unseen 
 
 Shall be laid low, 
 And all will be forgotten then, as though 
 
 It had not been ? -■. 
 
 Wherefore, my soul, be still ! 
 
 Adore God's holy will. 
 
 Fear death's supreme decree. 
 Thus mayst thou save thyself, and win high aid 
 
 To profit thee. 
 When thou, returning to thy Lord, shalt see 
 
 Thy deeds repaid. 
 
 29
 
 30 O SOUL, WITH STORMS BESET! 
 
 Why muse, O troubled soul, 
 
 O'er life's poor earthly goal ? 
 
 When thou hast fled, the clay 
 Lies mute, nor bear'st thou aught of wealth, or might 
 
 With thee that day, 
 But, like a bird, unto thy nest away, 
 
 Thou wilt take flight. 
 
 Why for a land lament 
 
 In which a lifetime spent 
 
 Is as a hurried breath ? 
 Where splendour turns to gloom, and honours show 
 
 A faded wreath, 
 Where health and healing soon must sink beneath 
 
 The fatal bow ? 
 
 What seemeth good and fair 
 
 Is often falsehood there. 
 
 Gold melts like shifting sands. 
 Thy hoarded riches pass to other men 
 
 And strangers' hands, 
 And what will all thy treasured wealth and lands 
 
 Avail thee then ?
 
 O SOUL, WITH STORMS BESET! 31 
 
 Life is a vine, whose crown 
 
 The reaper Death cuts down. 
 
 His ever-watchful eyes 
 Mark every step until night's shadows fall, 
 
 And swifdy flies 
 The passing day, and ah ! how distant lies 
 
 The goal of all. 
 
 Therefore, rebellious soul, 
 
 Thy base desires control ; 
 
 With scantly given bread 
 Content thyself, nor let thy memory stray 
 
 To splendours fled, 
 But call to mind affliction's weight, and dread 
 
 The judgment-day. 
 
 Prostrate and humbled go, 
 
 Like to the dove laid low. 
 
 Remember evermore 
 The peace of heaven, the Lord's eternal rest. 
 
 When burdened sore 
 With sorrow's load, at every step implore 
 
 His succour blest.
 
 32 O SOUL, WITH STORMS BESET! 
 
 Before God's merc3'-seat 
 
 His pardoning love entreat. 
 
 Make pure thy thoughts from sin, 
 And bring a contrite heart as sacrifice 
 
 His grace to win — 
 Then will His angels come and lead thee in 
 
 To Paradise. 
 
 SOLOMON IBN GEBIROL.
 
 XI 
 
 S ANCTI FICAT ION 
 
 The sixfold winged angels cry 
 To Him, Who hates iniquity : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 The mighty ones of earth do call 
 To Him, Who has created all : 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Blessed art Thou ! 
 
 They, who in radiance shine, proclaim 
 Of Him, Who wrought them out of flame 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 c
 
 34 SANCTIFICATION 
 
 Those doubly tried by flood and fire 
 United chant in frequent choir : 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy and blest ! 
 
 Pure spheres celestial echoing round, 
 With voice of sweetest song resound : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 All those redeemed not by gold, 
 Repeat in faith and joy untold : 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Blessed art Thou ! 
 
 They who pass swiftly to and fro 
 Make answer, as they come and go : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 Who seek His law, and testify 
 That there is none besides Him, cry : 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy and blest !
 
 SANCTIFICATION 35 
 
 The hosts of radiant seraphs call 
 To Him, most glorious of them all : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 The sons of mighty men declare 
 His majesty beyond compare : 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Blessed art Thou ! 
 
 All they who glorify His name, 
 With every morn anew proclaim : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 Israel, His people, ceaselessly 
 Cry as they bend and bow the knee : 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy and blest. 
 
 Those shining as a crystal spring, 
 Chant in the presence of their King : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou !
 
 36 SANCTIFICATION 
 
 The stranger's children evermore 
 The mighty Lord of lords adore. 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Blessed art Thou ! 
 
 Those who of fire are fashioned, crowd 
 On crowd unnumbered, chant aloud : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 They cry, whom He has freed from thrall, 
 And His inheritance does call : 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy and blest. 
 
 Pure visions, bathed in endless light, 
 Declare 'midst radiance infinite': 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 Who to the covenant adhere, 
 The remnant saved, cry loud and clear : 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Blessed art Thou !
 
 SANCTIFICATION 37 
 
 "Neath folded wings, in cadence meet, 
 The glorious ones each hour repeat : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 She, who among the nations dwells, 
 Chosen, apart, His glory tells : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy and blest ! 
 
 The high exalted ones make known 
 Of Him, Who fills the heavenly throne : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou ! 
 
 They who their God each day proclaim 
 ' Awful in deeds,' exalt His name : 
 Blessed art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Blessed art Thou ! 
 
 Those who are awe-inspiring say 
 Of Him more awful far than they : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy art Thou !
 
 38 SANCTIFICATION 
 
 To all creation's King of kings, 
 From earth, from heaven, responsive rings : 
 Holy art Thou, O Lord ! 
 Holy and blest ! 
 
 JOSEPH IBN ABITUR.
 
 XII 
 
 Hymn of P raise 
 
 O God of earth and heaven, 
 Spirit and flesh are Thine ! 
 Thou hast in wisdom given 
 
 Man's inward Hght divine, 
 And unto him Thy grace accords 
 
 The gift of spoken words. 
 The world was fashioned by Thy will, 
 Nor didst Thou toil at it, for still 
 Thy breath did Thy design fulfil. 
 
 My times are in Thy hand, 
 Thou knowest what is best, 
 
 And where I fear to stand 
 
 Thy strength brings succour blest. 
 
 Thy loving-kindness, as within 
 A mantle, hides my sin.
 
 40 HYMNOFPRAISE 
 
 Thy mercies are my sure defence, 
 And for Thy bounteous providence 
 Thou dost demand no recompense. 
 
 For all the sons of men 
 
 Thou hast a book prepared, 
 Where, without hand or pen, 
 
 Their deeds are all declared : 
 Yet for the pure in heart shall be 
 
 A pardon found with Thee. 
 The life and soul Thou didst create 
 Thou hast redeemed from evil strait, 
 Thou hast not left me desolate. 
 
 The heavens Thou badest be, 
 Thy bright, celestial throne, 
 
 Are witnesses to Thee, 
 O Thou the Lord alone. 
 
 One, indivisible. Thy name 
 Upholds creation's frame. 
 
 Thou madest all — the depth, the height. 
 
 Thou rulest all in power and might. 
 
 Supreme, eternal, infinite ! 
 
 ABRAHAM IBN EZRA.
 
 XIII 
 
 Passover Hymn 
 
 When as a wall the sea 
 
 In heaps uplifted lay, 
 A new song unto Thee 
 
 Sang the redeemed that day. 
 
 Thou didst in his deceit 
 
 O'erwhelm the Egyptian's feet, 
 While Israel's footsteps fleet 
 
 How beautiful were they ! 
 
 Jeshurun ! all who see 
 Thy glory cry to thee : 
 
 ' Who like thy God can be ? ' 
 Thus even our foes did say. 
 
 O ! let thy banner soar 
 
 The scattered remnant o'er, 
 
 And gather them once more 
 Like corn on harvest-day. 
 
 41
 
 PASSOVER HYMN 
 
 Who bear through all their line 
 Thy covenant's holy sign, 
 
 And to Thy name divine 
 Are sanctified alway. 
 
 Let all the world behold 
 Their token, prized of old, 
 
 Who on their garment's fold 
 The thread of blue display. 
 
 Be then the truth made known 
 For whom, and whom alone, 
 
 The twisted fringe is shown, 
 The covenant kept this day. 
 
 O ! let them, sanctified. 
 
 Once more with Thee abide. 
 
 Their sun shine far and wide, 
 And chase the clouds away. 
 
 The well-beloved declare 
 
 Thy praise in song and prayer 
 
 ' Who can with Thee compare, 
 O Lord of Hosts ? ' they say.
 
 PASSOVER HYMN 43 
 
 When as a wall the sea 
 
 In heaps uplifted lay, 
 A new song unto Thee 
 
 Sang the redeemed that day. 
 
 JEHUDA HALEVI.
 
 XIV 
 
 Morning Prayer 
 
 O Lord ! my life was known to Thee 
 Ere Thou hadst caused me yet to be, 
 Thy Spirit ever dwells in me. 
 
 Could I, cast down by Thee, have gained 
 
 A standing place, or, if restrained 
 
 By Thee, go forth with feet unchained ? 
 
 Hear me, Almighty, while I pray, 
 My thoughts are in Thy hand alway. 
 Be to my helplessness a stay ! 
 
 O ! may this hour Thy favour yield. 
 And may I tread life's battle-field 
 Encompassed by Thy mercy's shield. 
 
 Wake me at dawn Thy name to bless, 
 And in Thy sanctuary's recess 
 To praise and laud Thy holiness. 
 
 JEHUDA HALEVI. 
 44
 
 XV 
 
 Judgment and Mercy 
 
 By the faithful of His children in their conclaves 
 
 Shall His name be sanctified, 
 Awe-inspiring are the praises of His angels, 
 And the voices in His temple spread His glory 
 Far and wide. 
 
 Those who keep His law shall yet again be gathered 
 
 To the stronghold of His might, 
 Those who fear Him commune, praying, with each 
 
 other — 
 He will hear and in the book of their memorial 
 He will write. 
 
 Let your deeds be fair and righteous — then unbroken 
 
 He the covenant will hold. 
 He who maketh bright the heavens, He will heed you 
 And will count your prayers more precious than the 
 off'rings 
 
 Brought of old. 
 
 45
 
 46 JUDGMENT AND MERCY 
 
 May the tribes of those who worship and proclaim 
 Him 
 Be upUfted as of yore, 
 When He pruneth, may He cut the straggHng 
 
 branches, 
 For to Him belong the sov'reignty and kingdom 
 Evermore. 
 
 May He lead us once again unto the mountain 
 
 Of His sanctuary's shrine, 
 There to glorify Him ever in His temple, 
 For our God will not forget His word, the holy 
 And divine. 
 
 At His name shall heaven and earth break forth in 
 praises 
 With a joy that shall not cease. 
 And the woods shall shout and clap their hands in 
 
 gladness, 
 For the Lord our God has visited His people, 
 Bringing peace. 
 
 From each band of angels mighty in their splendour, 
 From each shining, circling star.
 
 JUDGMENT AND MERCY 47 
 
 Hymns and praises evermore declare His glory, 
 Saying, ' Praise Him with the sound of joyful 
 trumpets, 
 
 The Shophar ! ' 
 
 All the creatures of the universe together, 
 
 Heaven above and earth below, 
 Shall proclaim, ' The Lord in all His works is mighty, 
 He is king o'er all the earth, and His salvation 
 All shall know.'
 
 XVI 
 
 Grace After Meals 
 
 Our Rock with loving care, 
 According to His word, 
 
 Bids all His bounty share, 
 Then let us bless the Lord 
 
 His flock our Shepherd feeds 
 With graciousness divine, 
 He satisfies our needs 
 With gifts of bread and wine. 
 Therefore with one accord 
 We will His name adore, 
 Proclaiming evermore 
 None holy as the Lord. 
 
 Our Rock, etc. 
 
 48
 
 GRACE AFTER MEAT 49 
 
 The land desired so long, 
 Our fathers' heritage, 
 Inspires our grateful song 
 To God from age to age ; 
 His bounteous gifts afford 
 Us sustenance each day, 
 His mercy is our stay. 
 For faithful is the Lord. 
 Our Rock, etc. 
 
 O ! be Thy mercy moved, 
 Our Rock, to dwell with us, 
 With Zion, Thy beloved, 
 Our temple glorious. 
 May we, redeemed, restored. 
 Be led there every one. 
 By David's holy son. 
 The anointed of the Lord. 
 Our Rock, etc. 
 
 Thy city fill once more, 
 Thy temple-walls upraise. 
 There will we Thee adore 
 With joyful songs of praise, 
 
 D
 
 so GRACE AFTER MEAT 
 
 Thee, merciful, adored, 
 ^Ve bless and sanctify, 
 With wine-cups filled up high. 
 By blessings of the Lord. 
 Our Rock, etc.
 
 XVII 
 
 Lord of the Universe' 
 
 Lord of the universe, Who reigned 
 Ere earth and heaven's fashioning, 
 
 When to create the world He deig 
 Then was His name proclaimed King. 
 
 And at the end of days shall He, 
 The Dreaded One, still reign alone, 
 
 Who was, Who is, and still will be 
 Unchanged upon His glorious throne. 
 
 And He is one, His powers transcend, 
 Supreme, unfathomed, depth and height. 
 
 Without beginning, without end, 
 
 His are dominion, power, and might. 
 
 51
 
 S2 'LORD OF THE UNIVERSE 
 
 My God and my Redeemer He, 
 My rock in sorrow's darkest day, 
 
 A help and refuge unto me, 
 
 My cup's full portion, when I pray. 
 
 My soul into His hand divine 
 Do I commend : I will not fear. 
 
 My body with it I resign, 
 I dread no evil : God is near.
 
 XVIII 
 
 Hymn for the Conclusion of 
 THE Sabbath 
 
 May He Who sets the holy and profane 
 Apart, blot out our sins before His sight, 
 And make our numbers as the sand again, 
 And as the stars of night. 
 
 The day declineth like the palm-tree's shade, 
 I call on God, Who leadeth me aright, 
 The morning cometh — thus the watchman said — 
 Although it now be night. 
 
 Thy righteousness is like Mount Tabor vast, 
 O ! let my sins be wholly put to flight, 
 Be they as yesterday, for ever past, 
 And as a watch at night. 
 
 53
 
 54 CONCLUSION OF THE SABBATH 
 
 The peaceful season of my prayers is o'er, 
 Would that again had rest my soul contrite, 
 Weary am I of groaning evermore, 
 I melt in tears each night. 
 
 Hear Thou my voice : be it not vainly sped. 
 Open to me the gates of lofty height, 
 For with the evening dew is filled my head. 
 My locks with drops of night. 
 
 O ! grant me Thy redemption, while I pray, 
 Be Thou entreated. Lord of power and might, 
 In twilight, in the evening of the day, 
 Yea, in the gloom of night. 
 
 Save me, O Lord my God ! I call on Thee : 
 Make me to know the path of life aright, 
 From sore and wasting sickness snatch Thou me, 
 Lead me from day to night. 
 
 We are like clay within Thy hand, O Lord ! 
 Forgive us all our sins, both grave and light. 
 And day shall unto day pour forth the word 
 And night declare to night.
 
 CONCLUSION OF THE SABBATH 55 
 
 May He Who sets the holy and profane 
 Apart, blot out our sins before His sight, 
 And make our numbers as the sand again, 
 And as the stars of night.
 
 XIX 
 
 God and Man 
 
 Lord ! I will declare 
 
 Thy holy name, Thy glories past compare : 
 My tongue shall not conceal, O Lord ! 
 Thy righteousness made known to me : 
 
 1 heard and I believed Thy word, 
 I will not ask presumptuously. 
 For should the vase of clay 
 
 ' What doest thou ? ' unto its maker say ? 
 Him have I sought and known, 
 A rock of strength, a tower of might, - 
 Resplendent as the glorious light. 
 Without or veil or covering, radiant shown : 
 Exalted, magnified. 
 
 Extolled and glorified. 
 
 The heavens from hour to hour 
 
 Declare Thy wondrous works, proclaim Thy power 
 
 56
 
 GOD AND MAN 57 
 
 Sunrise and sunset, still the same 
 
 Prostrate in awe eternally. 
 
 The angels pass through flood and flame 
 
 As unto Thee they testify ; 
 
 Thy praise they celebrate, 
 
 O ! Thou, the fruit of Hps who dost create. 
 
 For Thou uphold 'st alone, 
 
 Unwearied and invisible, 
 
 The depths, the heights, where move and dwell 
 
 The living creatures and the heavenly throne : 
 
 Exalted, magnified, 
 
 Extolled and glorified. 
 
 Who has the glory praised 
 
 Fitly of Him, Whose word the heavens upraised ? 
 
 The Eternal One, Who dwells concealed 
 
 In His exalted heights, but yet 
 
 In Zion's temple, full revealed, 
 
 Did erst His glorious presence set, 
 
 And He showed visions then 
 
 To cause His image to be seen of men ; 
 
 Yet past all measuring
 
 58 GODANDMAN 
 
 His wisdom is, past depth and height 
 He flashes on His prophet's sight 
 In visions only as the heavenly king : 
 Exalted, magnified, 
 
 Extolled and glorified. 
 
 His power, exceeding great, 
 
 Is without end : who can His praise narrate ? 
 
 Happy the man, who testifies 
 
 Unto His greatness manifold, 
 
 Whose faith in God unshaken lies, 
 
 In God, whose arms the world uphold, 
 
 Who, fearing God, can trust 
 
 In Him, acknowledging His deeds are just, 
 
 That for himself has He 
 
 Made all His works. His creatures all, 
 
 And that His awful day will call 
 
 All men, the judgment of their deeds to see : 
 
 Exalted, magnified, 
 
 Extolled and glorified. 
 
 Do thou then heed and learn. 
 Prepare thyself thy nature to discern.
 
 GODANDMAN 59 
 
 See whence thou comest, what thou art, 
 
 And who created thee and taught 
 
 Thee knowledge, and in every part 
 
 Of thee the power of motion wrought. 
 
 Mark then God's might untold, 
 
 And rouse thyself His wonders to behold. 
 
 But to Himself concealed 
 
 Dare not to stretch thy hand, for then 
 
 Thou seekest, with presumptuous ken, 
 
 The first and last, the hidden and revealed : 
 
 Exalted, magnified, 
 
 Extolled and glorified. 
 
 JEHUDA HALEVI.
 
 XX 
 
 Hymn for Tabernacles 
 
 Thy praise, O Lord ! will I proclaim 
 In hymns unto Thy glorious name. 
 O ! thou Redeemer, Lord and King, 
 Redemption to Thy faithful bring ! 
 Before Thine altar they rejoice 
 With branch of palm and myrtle stem, 
 To Thee they raise the prayful voice — 
 Have mercy, save and prosper them. 
 
 Mayst Thou, in mercy manifold. 
 Dear unto Thee Thy people hold. 
 When at Thy gate they bend the knee, 
 And worship and acknowledge Thee. 
 Do Thou their heart's desire fulfil. 
 Rejoice with them in love this day, 
 Forgive their sins and thoughts of ill, 
 And their transgressions cast away. 
 
 60
 
 HYMN FOR TABERNACLES 6i 
 
 They overflow with prayer and praise 
 To Him, Who knows the future days. 
 Have mercy Thou, and hear the prayer 
 Of those who palms and myrtles bear. 
 Thee day and night they sanctify, 
 And in perpetual song adore ; 
 Like to the heavenly hosts they cry : 
 ' Blessed art Thou for evermore.' 
 
 ELEAZAR b. JACOB KALIR.
 
 XXI 
 
 Hymn for Pentecost 
 
 When Thou didst descend upon Sinai's mountain, 
 It trembled and shook 'neath Thy mighty hand, 
 And the rocks were moved by Thy power and 
 
 splendour ; 
 How then can my spirit before Thee stand 
 On the day when darkness o'erspread the heavens, 
 And the sun was hidden at Thy command ? 
 The angels of God for Thy great name's worship, 
 Are ranged before Thee, a shining band, 
 And the children of men are waiting ever 
 Thy mercies unnumbered as grains of sand ; 
 The law they received from the mouth of Thy glory, 
 They learn and consider and understand. 
 O ! accept Thou their song and rejoice in their 
 
 gladness. 
 Who proclaim Thy glory in every land. 
 
 JEHUDA HALEVI.
 
 XXII 
 
 Hymn of Glory 
 
 Sweet hymns and songs will I indite 
 To sing of Thee by day and night, 
 Of Thee, Who art my soul's delight. 
 
 How doth my soul within me yearn 
 Beneath Thy shadow to return, 
 Thy secret mysteries to learn. 
 
 And even while yet Thy glory fires 
 
 My words, and hymns of praise inspires, 
 
 Thy love it is my heart desires. 
 
 Therefore I will of Thee relate 
 
 All glorious things, and celebrate 
 
 In songs of love Thy name most great. 
 
 63
 
 64 HYMN OF GLORY 
 
 Thy glory shall my discourse be, 
 In images I picture Thee, 
 Although Thyself I cannot see. 
 
 In mystic utterances alone, 
 
 By prophet and by seer made known, 
 
 Hast Thou Thy radiant glory shown. 
 
 Thy might and greatness they portrayed, 
 According to the power displayed 
 In all the works Thy hand has made. 
 
 In images of Thee they told 
 
 Of Thy great wonders wrought of old, 
 
 Thy essence they could not behold. 
 
 In signs and visions seen of yore 
 They pictured Thee in ancient lore, 
 But Thou art One for evermore. 
 
 They saw in Thee both youth and age, 
 The man of war, the hoary sage, 
 But ever Israel's heritage.
 
 HYMNOFGLORY 65 
 
 O Thou Whose word is truth alway 
 Thy people seek Thy face this day, 
 O ! be Thou near them when they pray. 
 
 May these, my songs and musings, be 
 Acceptable, O Lord, to Thee, 
 And do Thou hear them graciously. 
 
 O ! let my praises, heavenward sped, 
 Be as a crown unto Thy head. 
 My prayer as incense offered. 
 
 O ! may my words of blessing rise 
 
 To Thee, Who, throned above the skies, 
 
 Art just and mighty, great and wise. 
 
 And when Thy glory I declare. 
 
 Do Thou incline Thee to my prayer, 
 
 As though sweet spice my offering were. 
 
 My meditation day and night 
 May it be pleasant in Thy sight. 
 For Thou art all my soul's delight. 
 
 E
 
 XXIII 
 
 Hymn of Unity for the Seven 
 Days of the Week' 
 
 Eternal King, the heavens and earth are Thine, 
 Thine are the seas and every living thing. 
 Thy hand upholds creation's vast design, 
 Eternal King ! 
 
 The mighty waters with Thy glory ring, 
 Unnumbered lands to chant Thy praise combine, 
 And kings of earth to Thee their worship bring. 
 
 Thy people Israel, for Thy love benign, 
 Blesses Thy name and joys Thy praise to sing. 
 Thou art the God of truth, the one, divine, 
 Eternal King. 
 
 ^ The original of the ' Hymn of Unity ' is in seven very long 
 parts. These short ones merely give tlie leading idea in each 
 of the original parts. 
 66
 
 HYMN OF UNIT ^^ fj 
 
 II 
 
 I worship Thee for all Thy boundless store 
 Of righteousness and mercy shown to me, 
 And for Thy holy book of sacred lore 
 I worship Thee. 
 
 To Thee alone our fathers bent the knee, 
 And Thee alone do we this day adore, 
 Bearing our witness to Thy unity. 
 
 Thou art our God, Thy favour we implore, 
 Thou art our shepherd, and Thy flock are we. 
 Therefore I bless Thy name and evermore 
 I worship Thee. 
 
 in 
 
 I know it well : Thou art all-good, all-wise. 
 Thou slayest, but Thy touch death's power can quell; 
 Thou woundest, but Thy hand the balm supplies : 
 I know it well.
 
 68 HYMN OF U N I TY FOR THE 
 
 Nor sin nor grief can in 'i'hy presence dwell, 
 Slumber and sleep come not unto Thine eyes, 
 Great God, eternal and unchangeable ! 
 
 The soul of all mankind before Thee lies ; 
 
 Thou searchest all their hearts, their thoughts canst 
 
 tell; 
 Thou hearest graciously their prayerful cries : 
 I know it well. 
 
 IV 
 
 We will extol the Lord of lords, whose name 
 Is evermore and everywhere adored. 
 In songs and hymns our lips His praise shall frame, 
 We will extol the Lord ! 
 
 He is the hope of Israel, His word 
 
 A lamp unto our feet, a guiding flame 
 
 To those who trust in Him with full accord. 
 
 He is through countless ages still the same. 
 The shield of our salvation and our sword, 
 And generations, each to each, proclaim : 
 We will extol the I,ord !
 
 SEVEN DAYS OF THE WEEK 69 
 
 Who shall narrate Thy wonders wrought of old ? 
 The utterance of the lips Thou didst create, 
 But all Thy majesty and power untold 
 Who shall narrate ? 
 
 Thy ways on earth in song we celebrate. 
 
 Though none may Thy similitude behold, 
 
 Yet know we by Thy works that Thou are great. 
 
 Thousands of angels, by Thy word controlled, 
 To do Thy bidding Thy commands await : 
 Yet of them all, Thy wonders manifold 
 Who shall narrate? 
 
 VI 
 
 Alone didst Thou, O Lord, the heaven's wide tent 
 Uprear, and bid the earth beneath be shown ; 
 Thy word the oceans in their boundaries pent 
 Alone.
 
 70 HYMN OF UNITY 
 
 No aid or counsel hadst Thou save Thine own 
 When Thou with lights didst hang the firmament 
 And call the hosts celestial round Thy throne. 
 
 Thy works, in universal cadence blent, 
 Give praise to Thee, and make Thy glory known. 
 Thou madest all, great God beneficent, 
 Alone ! 
 
 VII 
 
 Of old Thou didst the Sabbath bless and praise, 
 Because thereon Thou didst Thy work behold 
 Completed in the sun's new-kindled rays 
 Of old. 
 
 Bless Thou, this day, with mercies manifold 
 
 Thy people, that in love and awe obeys 
 
 Thy word, and chants Thy righteousness untold. 
 
 Lord, we desire to do Thy will always ! 
 Make pure our hearts like thrice-refined gold, 
 And these, our prayers, accept as in the days 
 Of old.
 
 XXIV 
 
 Penitential Prayer 
 
 Forth flies my soul, upborne by hope untiring, 
 The land of rest, the spring of life desiring. 
 Unto the heavenly dwelling-place aspiring. 
 To seek its peace by day and night. 
 
 My spirit does God's majesty adore, 
 And without wings shall to His presence soar, 
 There to behold His glory evermore. 
 At dawn, at noonday, and at night. 
 
 On all His works mine eye in wonder gazes, 
 
 And heavenward an eager look upraises ; 
 
 Day unto day proclaims its Maker's praises. 
 
 And night declares them unto night. 
 
 71
 
 72 PENITENTIAL PRAYER 
 
 Thy loving-kindness is my lifelong guide, 
 But often from Thy path I 've turned aside. 
 O Lord, how hast Thou searched my heart and tried 
 My inmost thoughts at dead of night ! 
 
 Sleepless upon my bed the hours I number, 
 And, rising, seek the house of God, while slumber 
 Lies heavy on men's eyes, and dreams encumber 
 Their souls in visions of the night. 
 
 In sin and folly passed my early years. 
 Wherefore I am ashamed, and life's arrears 
 Now strive to pay, the while my bitter tears 
 Have been my food by day and night. 
 
 Pent in the body's cage, pure child of heaven. 
 Bethink thee, life but as a bridge is given. 
 Awake, arise, to praise God gladly, even 
 In the first hours of the night. 
 
 Haste then, pure heart, to break sin's deadly sway, 
 And seek the path of righteousness alway ; 
 For all our years are but as yesterday — 
 Soon past, and as a watch at night.
 
 PENITENTIAL PRAYER -ji 
 
 Short is man's life, and full of care and sorrow, 
 This way and that he turns some ease to borrow, 
 Like to a flower he blooms, and on the morrow 
 Is gone — a vision of the night. 
 
 How does the weight of sin my soul oppress ! 
 Because God's law too often I transgress ; 
 I mourn and sigh : with tears of bitterness 
 My bed I water all the night. 
 
 I rise at dawn and still the salt stream flows, 
 My heart's blood would I shed to find repose ; 
 But when my soul is downcast with my woes, 
 I will recall my prayer at night. 
 
 My youth wanes like a shadow that is cast, 
 Swifter than eagles' wings my years fly fast. 
 And I remember not my gladness past. 
 
 Either by day or yet by night. ^ 
 
 Proclaim we then a fast, a holy day, 
 Make pure our hearts from sin, God's will obey, 
 And unto Him, with humble spirits, pray 
 Unceasingly, by day and night.
 
 74 PENITENTIAL PRAYER ^ 
 
 May we yet hear His words : ' Thou art my own, 
 My grace is thine, the shelter of My throne, 
 For I am thy Redeemer, I alone ! 
 Endure but patiently this night.' 
 
 MOSES IBN EZRA.
 
 XXV 
 
 The Living God we Praise 
 
 The living God we praise, exalt, adore ! 
 He was, He is, He will be evermore. 
 
 No unity like unto His can be, 
 Eternal, inconceivable, is He. 
 
 No form or shape has th' Incorporeal One, 
 Most holy beyond all comparison. 
 
 He was, ere aught was made in heaven or earth, 
 But His existence has no date or birth. 
 
 Lord of the Universe is He proclaimed. 
 Teaching His power to all His hand has framed. 
 
 He gave His gift of prophecy to those 
 
 In whom He gloried, whom He loved and chose. 
 
 75
 
 76 THE LIVING GOD WE PRAISE 
 
 No prophet ever yet has filled the place 
 Of Moses, who beheld God face to face. 
 
 Through him (the faithful in his house) the Lord 
 The law of truth to Israel did accord. 
 
 This law God will not alter, will not change 
 For any other through time's utmost range. 
 
 He knows and heeds the secret thoughts of man, 
 He saw the end of all ere aught began. 
 
 With love and grace doth He the righteous bless. 
 He metes out evil unto wickedness. 
 
 He at the last will His anointed send, 
 Those to redeem, who hope and wait the end. 
 
 God will the dead to life again restore, 
 Praised be His glorious name for evermore. 
 
 Printed by T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty 
 at the Edinburgh University Press
 
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