'f.acher. PAUL GOODMAN, Hon. Superintendent. THE JEWISH YEAR THE JEWISH YEAR A COLLECTION OF DEVOTIONAL POEMS FOR Sabbat Jjs ant Ifoli&ags t|jrou0trout tfre |]ear TRANSLATED AND COMPOSED BY ALICE LUCAS MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED NEW YORK THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1898 All rights reset ved I DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO MY MOTHER CONTENTS 1. FIRST SABBATH PAGE Light and Darkness . . Jehuda Halevi . . I 2. SECOND SABBATH God, whom shall I compare to Thee ? . . . . Jehuda Halevi . 3 3. THIRD SABBATH Abraham's Faith . . Original ... 6 4. FOURTH SABBATH The Faithful Men . . Elijah b. Mordecai . ^ 5. FIFTH SABBATH A Stranger and a Sojourner am I .... Original IO 6. SIXTH SABBATH O Soul, with storms beset . Solomon ibn Gebiroi . 1 1 7. SEVENTH SABBATH Jacob's Dream . . . Original . . *5 8. EIGHTH SABBATH Not Worthy .... Original . . 17 Vlll THE JEWISH YEAR 9. NINTH SABBATH The Living God . 10. TENTH SABBATH To the Soul . 11. ELEVENTH SABBATH Psalm cxxvi 12. TWELFTH SABBATH The Land of Peace 13. THIRTEENTH SABBATH The Mission of Moses . 14. FOURTEENTH SABBATH The Sun and Moon 15. FIFTEENTH SABBATH Prayer for Help . 16. SIXTEENTH SABBATH Lord, do Thou guide me 17. SEVENTEENTH SABBATH The Law 18. EIGHTEENTH SABBATH Sanctification 19. NINETEENTH SABBATH Offerings 20. TWENTIETH SABBATH Even as the Daily Offerin 21. TWENTY-FIRST SABBATH Elijah's Prayer PAGF: Abraham ibn Ezra . 19 Jehuda Halevi . 22 Paraphrase 24 Solomon ibn Gebirol . 26 A Talmud Legend . 28 fehuda Halevi . 3 Abraham ibn Ezra . 31 Original . . , 34 Abraham ibn Ezra . 35 Jehuda ibn Abitur . 37 Original . 42 Solomon ben Abun . 44 Jehuda ibn Giat . 46 CONTENTS IX 22. TWENTY-SECOND SABBATH PAGE The Sabbath Day . . . Jehuda Halevi . . 51 23. TWENTY-THIRD SABBATH Hymn of Praise . . . Abraham ibn Ezra . 53 24. TWENTY-FOURTH SABBATH Guilty are we ... fehuda Halevi . . 55 25. TWENTY-FIFTH SABBATH Our Father's Sins . . From the Portuguese Prayer Book. Author unknown . 26. TWENTY-SIXTH SABBATH Resignation . .... . Abraham ibn Ezra 27. TWENTY-SEVENTH SABBATH Simeon Ben Migdal . . A Talmud Legend 28. TWENTY-EIGHTH SABBATH Dawn .... 29. TWENTY-NINTH SABBATH Happy he who saw of old 30. THIRTIETH SABBATH O Sleeper, wake, arise . 31. THIRTY-FIRST SABBATH At Evening . Moses ibn Ezra Adapted from Solomon ibn Gebirol Jehuda Halevi . From the Daily Prayer Book. Author unknown 60 62 65 67 74 32. THIRTY-SECOND SABBATH " Praise ye the Almighty" . From " Tal Orouth." Author unknown . 76 THE JEWISH YEAR 33. THIRTY-THIRD SABBATH The Wonders of God . . Joab . PAGE 78 34. THIRTY-FOURTH SABBATH As the Sand of the Sea . . From the Portuguese Prayer Book. Author unknown 81 35. THIRTY-FIFTH SABBATH' The Peace of God . Original . 83 36. THIRTY-SIXTH SABBATH Faith . . Original . 84 37. THIRTY-SEVENTH SABBATH O thou Red Sea . . Jehuda Halevi . 85 38. THIRTY-EIGHTH SABBATH Hillel and his Guest . A Talmud Legend . 88 39. THIRTY-NINTH SABBATH Psalm cxxi . . Paraphrase 90 40. FORTIETH SABBATH The Ways of God . . Jehuda Halevi . 92 41. FORTY-FIRST SABBATH The Soul . . Abraham ibn Ezra . 94 42. FORTY-SECOND SABBATH Commit thy Way . . Original . . . 96 43. FORTY-THIRD SABBATH Prayer .... . Solomon ibn Gebirol . 97 44. FORTY-FOURTH SABBATH Yea, more than they . Original . 98 CONTENTS XI 45. FORTY-FIFTH SABBATH At Morning . 46. FORTY-SIXTH SABBATH O Lord, I call on Thee 47. FORTY-SEVENTH SABBATH Souls of the Righteous . , 48. FORTY-EIGHTH SABBATH How Long . 49. FORTY-NINTH SABBATH The Commandment of For- getfulness . 50. FIFTIETH SABBATH From Psalm iv 51. FIFTY-FIRST SABBATH Lo, as the Potter . 52. FIFTY-SECOND SABBATH Penitential Prayer 53. FIFTY-THIRD SABBATH The Death of Moses 54. FIFTY-FOURTH SABBATH Hymn of Glory Jehuda Halevi . Abraham ibn Ezra . Original . Jehuda Halevi . A Talmud Legend . Original . From the Atonement Prayer Book. Au- thor unknown Moses ibn Ezra From the Italian Prayer Book. Au- thor unknown PAGE 99 103 104 105 107 109 116 Jehuda ha Chasid . 119 55. FIRST DAY OF PASSOVER When the Morning came . Isaac ibn Giat . Xll THE JEWISH YEAR 56. SEVENTH DAY OF PASSOVER By the Red Sea . . . Jehuda Halevi . 57. PENTECOST Sinai .... 58. FAST OF AB Ode to Zion . 59. NEW YEAR My King . 60. NEW YEAR Judgment and Mercy . 61. PENITENTIAL DAYS The Crown of Sovereignty DAY OF ATONEMENT 62. The Heart's Desire 63. Servant of God . . . 64. Mercy and Pardon 65. While yet we dwell on earth . Jehuda Halevi . Jehuda Halevi . Nachmanides . Simeon Jehuda Halevi . Jehuda Halevi . Chiya Author unknown 66. FIRST DAY OF TABERNACLES Palms and Myrtles . . Kalir 67. EIGHTH DAY OF TABERNACLES Creator of the Universe . Joseph 68. SABBATH HYMN Solomon Alkabets 69. HYMN FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THE SABBATH . Isaac PAGE 125 128 129 134 137 Solomon ibn Gebirol . 140 153 156 159 161 163 165 167 169 CONTENTS xiu 70. HYMN OF UNITY FOR THE PAGE SEVEN DAYS OF THE WEEK Samuel bar Kalonymos 171 71. GRACE AFTER MEALS . . Author unknown . 178 72. GRACE FOR SABBATH . . Isaac . . . 180 73. MORNING AND EVENING Talmudic. From the HYMNS .... Daily Prayer Book 182 74. LORD OF THE UNIVERSE . From the Daily (ADON OLAM) Prayer Book. Author unknown . 184 75. THE LIVING GOD WE PRAISE. Daniel b. Judah (YiGDAL) Day an . . .186 PREFACE THE present volume has been written to meet, even though inadequately, a long recognised want, namely a collection of hymns and other devotional poems for the use of English Jews. It is composed chiefly of translations from the mediaeval Hebrew poets, and includes most of those already published under the title of Songs of Zion. The new matter is, however, more than double that of the old, and some original poems, a few paraphrases of Psalms, and three or four versified Talmud legends have also been added. The poems translated are mainly taken from those additions to the Jewish prayer-book which were made after the liturgy had been fixed, so far as its chief features are concerned. Some of these additions are older than the tenth, some are as late as the sixteenth century. They do not appear identically in all forms of the synagogue liturgy, xvi THE JEWISH YEAR and while some of them readily found a place in the ordinary Sabbath prayers, others enjoyed only a local admission 1 and were used on special occasions only. In the task of discovering poems suitable for translation in the various liturgies and in two or three collections of Hebrew mediaeval poetry, in ascertain- ing the authors of several hymns given anonymously in the prayer-books, and in grappling with many of the difficulties attendant on rendering into English the often involved and obscure Hebrew of the originals, I have received from Mr. Israel Abrahams much valuable aid, which it is a pleasure to me to acknowledge here. It has not been thought necessary to add either introductory remarks or literary notes to these translations. They are intended for devotional purposes, and it is entirely from this point of view that I have regarded my material. The book is for devotion, not for study. It is meant as an adjunct to the prayer-book, to be used at home, in the Sabbath school, perhaps occasionally in the synagogue, 1 As, e.g. the quaint hymn on the death of Moses (see Sabbath 53) which, I believe, is only to be found in the liturgy used by the Italian Jews. It is based on the Midrash. PREFACE xvn as an aid to religious meditation, derived in a great measure from the prayer-book itself. I have endeavoured to make my translations as accurate as possible ; but, though I trust that some of the devotional spirit of the originals has been retained even in an English version, I am regretfully conscious that I have not succeeded in giving them that glow of intense religiousness, which these liturgical poems possess in the Hebrew. Uncouth and laboured as that Hebrew sometimes is, it is never commonplace and never aught but spiritually forcible. It is true the Hebrew mediaeval poets wrote for the world as well as for the synagogue. Their works contained satires, love songs, epistles, and epigrams, as well as hymns. But it is beyond question that they were at their best as hymnologists. In devotional poetry they poured forth their whole heart, and their constant theme was the goodness of God and the duty of man. Written in the dark ages of Jewish life, these hymns are illuminated by a divine optimism that may well serve to strengthen our own often wavering faith, and lead us too to find in our religion, that peace and happiness which blessed the singers of those days in the midst of sorrow and persecution. xviii THE JEWISH YEAR In the arrangement of the hymns for every Sabbath and festival throughout the year a famous literary precedent has been followed. It must, however, be pointed out that some of the poems here assigned to special Sabbaths are included in some synagogue rituals for every Sabbath. Again, some of the poems here given for Sabbath use were originally composed for more specific occasions, for festivals and fasts. But it must be remembered that very few hymns were written for ordinary Sabbaths, and further that the same hymn will appear in one ritual for an ordinary Sabbath, while in another it will be found appropri- ated to a special occasion, the truth being that though written for special days, there is seldom anything that renders them inappropriate for all times. Many readers of hymns criticise them as monotonous. Perhaps a similar complaint will be made against this book, especially when it is admitted that hymns written for one day appear equally suit- able for another. A further reason for the tendency to monotony in this collection may be found in the fact that hymns of what we may call historic interest, which have reference to such passing events as the founding of a new congregation, or the PREFACE xix migration of an old one, the death of a famous Rabbi, or, too often, a more than usually grievous persecution, have been omitted from these pages, as having but little devotional value to the present- day reader. This may somewhat have robbed The Jewish Year of the variety which distinguishes the liturgical poetry that responded to every passing phase of life. But the monotony of hymns in general is due to a deeper cause also. There is infinite variety in God's goodness, but man has but a finite faculty for giving expression to it. If there be monotony in the thoughts that animate this and every other collection of hymns, the life of man would nevertheless be the nobler and the better, if it reflected, however faintly, that monotony, that whole- hearted faith, that supreme sense of God's love. This is the constant theme of hymns such as are here presented by one who is fully conscious of defects for which she alone is responsible, but who ventures to hope, that a theme so congenial to the highest and noblest ideal of Judaism may yet make these poems acceptable to those for whom they were written. And God said, Let there be light : and there was light. GENESIS i. 3. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. PSALM xxiii. 6. LIGHT AND DARKNESS O SILENT heart, pour forth thy prayer ! From Meshech's tents of strife and care, Look up to God, thy rock divine, Banner and host and refuge thine. "Pis He who makes thy sun to shine, Who formeth light and darkness. His mandate made the earth appear, And curved the heaven's celestial sphere. That all might then His glory see, Nor aught in vain created be, B THE JEWISH YEAR He called the sun in majesty To rise and banish darkness. " Let there be light ! " the heavens heard, And all their host, His mighty word. Then knew they that a rock of might Upheld the heaven's highest height, And praised their Maker for the light Which overcame the darkness. Thus will He turn my night to day, And when I fall, my footsteps stay. He will my people's light restore, And make them glad as heretofore. He is my light for evermore, Although I sit in darkness. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me : for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth ; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed ; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. ISAIAH liv. 9, 10. 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 everywhere 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 ? THE JEWISH YEAR 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 did'st Thou to Thy counsel call, When there was none to speak withal Since Thou wast first and Lord of all ? 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 impress'd. 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 Did'st 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. GOD, WHOM SHALL I COMPARE TO THEE 5 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. 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 ! Satatj-m After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram : I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. . . . And he believed in the Lord ; and he counted it to him for righteousness. GENESIS xv. I and 6. ABRAHAM'S FAITH AND the Lord said : " Look now towards heaven and see If thou can'st number there the numberless Great host of stars even thus thy seed shall be," And Abraham believed in God, and He Counted it unto him for righteousness. Happy art thou, who through life's storm and stress Dost hold thy faith in God unceasingly, His mercy will not leave thee comfortless, But with exceeding peace thy soul will bless, Yea, and thy faith shall be accounted thee For righteousness. What prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house : then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest ; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men). 2 CHRONICLES vi. 29, 30. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old. MICAH vii. 20. THE FAITHFUL MEN THE faithful men have perished one by one, And there remaineth none To stand, with words entreating thee Even as Abraham with his prayer, Saying " Yet lacking still may be Five of the fifty righteous there." And God made answer then : " Yea, I will spare the city even for ten ! " THE JEWISH YEAR The faithful men have perished one by one, And there remaineth none, Holy and strong Thy grace to win Even as Amram's son did pray ; " Lord, if Thou pardon not their sin Blot me from out Thy book this day." And answer made the Lord : " Pardoned have I, according to thy word." The faithful men have perished one by one, And there remaineth none Help in the perilous hour to bring, Even as Aaron swiftly ran Forth with his incense-offering, When that the pestilence began. The living and the dead Between he stood and lo ! the plague was stayed. The faithful men have perished one by one, And there remaineth none Thy mercy fitly to implore, As David did, when, sore distress'd Beside Araunah's threshing floor He twice declared : I have transgress'd. Thus prayed he penitent, And the Almighty ceased from chastisement. THE FAITHFUL MEN The faithful men have perished one by one, And there remaineth none To trust Thee with a perfect heart, Like to Elijah, when he stood, Praying in Carmel's mount, apart, And poured the water on the wood. And lo ! God's answer came, Even at the Mincha hour in heavenly flame. The faithful men have perished one by one, And there remaineth none With ceaseless prayer to seek thine aid, Pleading for pardon, even as he The faithful of Thy house, who prayed By day and night incessantly. Yet as in days of old Have mercy on us, Lord, with mercies manifold. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry ; hold not thy peace at my tears : for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. PSALM xxxix. 12. A STRANGER AND A SOJOURNER AM I A STRANGER and a sojourner am I With Thee, O Lord, who hast on me bestowed For a brief space, a pilgrim's scant abode, A little field and toilsome husbandry. A stranger and a sojourner ! I sigh, And fain had rested, when the noon-day glowed, Neath the cool shade, where crystal waters flowed, But time speeds on apace, the hours fly. A stranger ! yea, but Thou, O Lord, art nigh ; A sojourner ! yea, but the weary load I bear, Thy hand that traced the wanderer's road Shall ease me of, beneath the sunset sky. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth : but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. PSALM Ixxiii. 24-26. 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. 12 THE JEWISH YEAR Thus mayst thou save thyself, and win high aid To profit thee, When thou, returning to thy Lord, shalt see Thy deeds repaid. 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, SOUL, WITH STORMS BESET 13 And what will all thy treasured wealth and lands Avail thee then ? Life is a vine, whose crown The reaper Death cuts down. His ever-watchful eyes Mark every step, until night's shadows fall, And swiftly 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 bless'd. I 4 THE JEWISH YEAR Before God's mercy-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. Surely the Lord is in this place ; and I knew it not .... this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. GENESIS xxviii. 16, 17. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee : he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. PSALM Iv. 22. JACOB'S DREAM " THIS is no other than the house of God," He said, " and this the gate of heaven." He who all day the path to Haran trod, And came to Luz at even. He who in dreams beheld a vision there A ladder reaching to the sky, Whereon ascending and descending were God's angels ceaselessly. And when he saw Him standing at the head Proclaiming Israel's chosen lot, 1 6 THE JEWISH YEAR " Surely the Lord is in this place " he said, " Although I knew it not. " How awful is this place ! " And ere he went His way he raised an altar there, And offered to the Lord Omnipotent The sacrifice of prayer. And Beth-El did they call that place, the name Of which was Luz in days of yore, The house of God thus in a word to frame That vision evermore. O golden dream of faith's primeval days ! Symbol to later ages given, Telling that God is everywhere always, And earth the gate to heaven. Safcfcatfj viii I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant ; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan ; and now I am become two bands. GENESIS xxxii. 10. Commit thy way unto the Lord. PSALM xxxvii. 5. NOT WORTHY I AM not worthy of the least of all The mercies and the truth which thou hast shewed Unto Thy servant, for this road I traversed and this Jordan cross'd With but my staff for aid and load, And now I am become a twofold host. I am not worthy, Lord, I cry this day, Not worthy of the gracious heavenly care With which Thou guidest everywhere Thy children, though the path may be 1 8 THE JEWISH YEAR Narrow or stony, steep or bare, That leads at last earth's pilgrim home to thee. I am not worthy of Thy holy word, That bids us unto Thee commit our ways, And move, illumined by the rays Of steadfast faith's eternal light, Unharmed through life's oft darkened days, Until we come where there is no more night. I am not worthy yea, but greater far Is Thy great love than my unworthiness, Thy love, that cannot pitiless Our sorrows and our sins behold, That comes to pardon and to bless, And gives us peace as in the days of old. ix Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein : I am the Lord your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments : which if a man do, he shall live in them. LEVITICUS xviii. 4, 5. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. . . . My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord : and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. PSALM cxlv. 16 and 21. THE LIVING GOD ATHIRST for God, to Him my soul aspires, The living God it is my heart desires. The living God created me To life. Yea, as I live, spake He, No living man my face shall see, Shall see my face and live. He fashioned all with counsel wise And purpose wonderful that lies 20 7 HE JEWISH YEAR For ever hidden from our eyes, The eyes of all who live. Supreme o'er all His glory reigns, Extolled on earth in holy strains, Blessed is he whose hand maintains The soul of all who live. He separated Israel's seed, To teach them statutes, which indeed If that a man do hear and heed, His soul by them shall live. Can pure and just themselves declare They who of dust created were ? Lo, in Thy sight, O Lord, we dare Call no man just who lives. Like serpent's poison venomous, The sinful passion dwells in us, Can then from evil cankerous Be any free that live ? But they the cords of sin who break May yet the evil path forsake, Ere in that house their rest they take, That waits for all who live. THE LIVING GOD Call us in mercy unto Thee Again Thy witnesses to be, O Thou, who openest graciously Thy hand to all that live. Low to the earth my head I bow, With hands outspread, repeating now, " Blessed, O Lord our God, be Thou By every soul that lives ! " x Gracious is the Lord, and righteous ; yea, our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth the simple : I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul ; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. PSALM cxvi. 5-7. Arise ye, and depart ; for this is not your rest. MlCAH ii. 10. TO THE SOUL O THOU, who springest gloriously From thy Creator's fountain bless'd ! 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 ? TO THE SOUL 23 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. O thou in strength who treadest, learn To know thyself, cast dreams away ! The goal is distant far, and short the day. What can'st thou plead th' Almighty's grace to earn ? Wouldst thou the glory of the Lord Behold, O soul ? With prompt accord Then to thy father's house, return, return ! They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. PSALM cxxvi. 5 and 6. PARAPHRASE OF PSALM CXXVI WHEN that the Lord did turn again Of Zion the captivity, Like unto them that dream were we Then were our hearts with gladness thrilled Then was our mouth with laughter filled, And songs unceasingly. The heathen said, The Lord hath done For them great things and glorious. The Lord hath done great things for us. Turn our captivity again, O Lord, as in the southern plain, The streams do gladden us. PARAPHRASE OF PSALM CXXVI 25 Who sows in tears shall reap in joy ; And he who goeth forth in need, Weeping and bearing precious seed, Shall doubtless, all his toil o'erpast, Unto his home return at last Bringing his sheaves indeed. Thou wilt shew me the path of life : in thy presence is fulness of joy ; at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever- more. PSALM xvi. n. 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, THE LAND OF PEACE 27 And never-ending pleasantness Such is the world to come. 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. SaHratJ xiii Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself : I am the Lord. LEVITICUS xix. 18. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. PROVERBS xxix. 14. THE MISSION OF MOSES WHILE Israel in Egypt toiled and wept Moses afar the sheep of Jethro kept, Unconscious of the coming word of God, Following his flocks, the desert path he trod, And as he sought to gather them one day, A half-grown lamb chanced from the fold to stray. He called the wand'rer back, but all in vain And far he followed it across the plain, Until at last, beside a streamlet's brink, He saw the wearied creature stop to drink. THE MISSION OF MOSES 29 "Yea," Moses said, "in sooth I did not guess 'Twas thirst that made thee my command transgress. " Thou hast come far perchance art wearied sore." And homeward in his arms the lamb he bore. Then spoke the Lord, " Since thus thy love provides For these poor sheep that man to thee confides, As thy soul liveth I will trust to thee My flock my people's shepherd thou shalt be." The heavens declare the glory of God ; and the firmament sheweth his handy work. PSALM xix. I. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God ; we have waited for him, and he will save us : this is the Lord ; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. ISAIAH xxv. 9. THE SUN AND MOON FOR EVER SHINE THE sun and moon for ever shine By day And night they mark the Eternal's high design, Changeless and tireless, speeding on their way, The sun and moon for ever shine. Symbols are they of Israel's chosen line, A nation still though all around decay, A nation still though countless foes combine, Smitten by God and healed by God are they. They shall not fear, safe 'neath the Rock divine Nor cease to be, until men cease to say, The sun and moon for ever shine. Fear thou not ; for I am with thee : be not dismayed ; for I am thy God : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. ISAIAH xli. 10. PRAYER FOR HELP LORD, I pray with hands uplifted And my tears flow fast, For my manifold transgressions And my sinful past. Heal mine inward wound and straighten All my ways at last. Merciful, O Father, be, Even when Thou judgest me, Answer when I call on Thee, God of my salvation ! Glad yet fearful, I am seeking Pardon, 'midst the throng 32 THE JEWISH YEAR Of Thy chosen congregation With sweet sound of song, Hymns and praise and patient striving To amend the wrong. Lord, Thy power I will proclaim, And exalt Thy glorious name, Yea, my love for Thee like flame Burns, Thou my salvation! Thou o'er heavenly heights who ridest Know'st the inmost parts, And Thy love accepts repentance When it sorest smarts, Counting it as off'rings, ever Strengthening feeble hearts. Thou wilt lead Thy flock aright To the land of my delight, Thou my refuge, rock, and might, Heritage and portion. Well-spring Thou of strength and gladness, Lord, I hope in Thee, And declare the power eternal Of Thy sovereignty. O ! command Thou Thy salvation To abide with me. Let it guide me on my way, PR A YER FOR HELP 33 Evermore my help and stay, Bringing me from day to day Still my daily portion. Thou wilt save me, Thou wilt guard me, Mine exalted King. Have regard to my entreaty And good tidings bring. Unto us Thy needy people Let Thine answer ring : Fear thou not, for I behold thee, I will strengthen and enfold thee, Yea, my right hand shall uphold thee ! I am thy salvation ! When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee ; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee : when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned ; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ISAIAH xliii. 2. LORD, DO THOU GUIDE ME LORD, do Thou guide me on my pilgrim way, Then shall I be at peace, whate'er betide me ; The morn is dark, the clouds hang low and grey, Lord, do Thou guide me. Let not the mists of sin from Thee divide me, But pierce their gloom with mercy's golden ray, Then shall I know that Thou in love hast tried me. O'er rugged paths be Thou my staff and stay, Beneath thy wings from storm and tempest hide me, Through life to death, through death to heavenly day Lord, do Thou guide me ! And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord com- manded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. EXODUS xix. 7, 8. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul ; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. PSALM xix. 7. THE LAW MY help, my hope, my strength shall be, Thou perfect law of God, in thee ! My faith shall be my rock of might, Its law my portion and my right, Its testimonies my delight, And day by day, my voice I raise In song and hymn to chant their praise. How did th' angelic hosts lament When from their midst, by God's intent. 36 THE LA W The holy law to earth was sent. " Woe that the pure and sanctified Should now on sinful lips abide." The people trembled when they saw Approaching them the heavenly law Their voices rose in joy and awe : " Thy covenant, O Lord, fulfil, Declare it, we will do Thy will." Great wonders He on Sinai wrought, When unto us His law He taught, Wherefore to praise His name I sought ; But what am I and what my words Before the Almighty Lord of lords ? Hear Thou Thy people's prayer, O King, When like the heavenly host they sing Thrice Holy, Holy uttering Sweet hymns and songs of pleasantness With joy and awe Thy name to bless. xvm And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts ; the whole earth is full of his glory. ISAIAH vi. 3. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after ; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. PSALM xxvii. 4. SANCTIFICATION 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 ! 38 SANCTIFICATION They, who in radiance shine, proclaim Of Him who wrought them out of flame Holy art Thou, O Lord, Holy art Thou ! Those doubly tried by flood and fire United chant in frequent choir : Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Holy and bless'd ! 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 : SANCTIF1CATION 39 Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Holy and bless'd ! 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 bless'd ! Those shining as a crystal spring, Chant in the presence of their king : Holy art Thou, O Lord, Holy art Thou ! 40 SANCTIFICA7ION 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 bless'd ! 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 ! 'Neath folded wings, in cadence meet, The glorious ones each hour repeat : SANCT1FICA TION 4 1 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 bless'd ! 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 ! To all creation's King of kings From earth, from heaven, responsive rings : Holy art Thou, O Lord, Holy and bless'd! xix And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering : of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. EXODUS xxv. 1,2. And king David said to Oman ... I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost. i CHRONICLES xxi. 24. OFFERINGS SHALL I offer unto the Lord That which has cost me naught, That which I have not bought For silver and gold at a price ? Shall I to God's altar bring Thine oxen for offering ? Then thine, not mine, were the sacrifice. Let me not bring thee, O Lord, That which has cost me nought, Prayers that I have not sought OFFERINGS 43 To shape to my spirit's need, Resolves half-hearted and faint, And hopes and longings that paint Joys of earth's giving, not heavenly meed. Lord, let me bring unto Thee Prayers that true faith has wrought, Self-sacrifice, dearly bought, And patience, whose lamp never dies, With penitence, set apart ; For a broken and contrite heart O Lord, Thou wilt not despise. xx Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God ? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old ? . . . He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God ? MICAH vi. 6 and 8. EVEN AS THE DAILY OFFERING JUDGE of the earth, who wilt arraign The nations at Thy judgment seat, With life and favour bless again Thy people prostrate at Thy feet. And mayest Thou our morning prayer Receive, O Lord, as though it were The offering that was wont to be Brought day by day continually. Thou who art clothed with righteousness, Supreme, exalted over all EVEN AS THE DAILY OFFERING 45 How oft soever we transgress Do Thou with pardoning love recall Those who in Hebron sleep : and let Their memory live before Thee yet, Even as the offering unto Thee Offered of old continually. Trust in God's strength and be ye strong, My people, and His laws obey, Then will He pardon sin and wrong, Then mercy will His wrath outweigh. Seek ye His presence and implore His countenance for evermore, Then shall your prayers accepted be As offerings brought continually. And Elijah said, How long halt ye between two opinions ? if the Lord be God, follow him : but if Baal, then follow him. I KINGS xviii. 21. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. I KINGS xix. 18. ELIJAH'S PRAYER THE glory of the Lord I will declare At eventide, when rose Elijah's prayer, What time, the weak and sinful multitude From day to day their evil works pursued, And those who feared the Lord were sore distress'd, Brought low, and by their enemies oppress'd. Then while the people gazed, the priests of sin Were gathered unto him, who sought to win The erring crowd to hear his holy word, Acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. ELIJAH'S PR A YER 47 "Oh may my prayer approach Thy throne, Most High, And be Thine ear attentive to my cry, When that the hour of Mincha draweth nigh." Thus, unto all the people clust'ring round, His words of gracious wisdom did resound, Each unto each with understanding bound. " Oh foolish and unwise, who nothing know, How long, unsure and halting, will ye go, 'Twixt two opinions, ever to and fro ? "Seek where the truth is found if in the Lord Or in another be the truth adored." And all the people answered not a word. He cried aloud : " Nay, hearken once again. I, only I, of all the many slain A prophet of the Lord alone remain. " The while the priests of Baal, who daily stand Bending before the works of craftsmen's hand, Four hundred count and fifty in the land. " Choose ye a bullock then with fitting care, And offer it upon your altar there. I for myself will likewise mine prepare. 48 ELIJAHS PRA YER " Then this to all who fain the truth would see, And follow after it a sign shall be Who answereth with fire, God is he." And they, when these wise words to silence fell, Seemed to repent, whose hearts did erst rebel, For all made answer : It is spoken well ! " Be ye, the many, first," he said again, " Prepare your altar, bring the bullock slain, But let the fire unkindled yet remain." They called in folly on an empty name, " O Baal, answer us, thy power proclaim ! " But neither voice, nor sound for answer came. Then mocked Elijah them and mocking said : " Call with a loud voice, be ye not afraid, Call, for he is a god be undismayed." Then leaped they on the altar they had built, And cut and gashed themselves with knives, and spilt Their blood with evil rites of shame and guilt. Weary they grew and faint, as time sped by, And their souls sank within them hopelessly, Until the hour of Mincha had come nigh. ELIJAHS PRA YER 49 The man of God, the prophet, then ignored For a brief period the holy word, 1 While he repaired the altar of the Lord. For every tribe, as was their wont always, He took a stone, as in the ancient days, Wherewith the altar of the Lord to raise. He laid the offering, duly purified, Upon the altar, and on every side He dug a trench around it, deep and wide. " Fill it with water till it overflows," He bade them next. Then at the long day's close, Even at the Mincha hour, Elijah's prayer arose. O Lord of all ! God of my fathers, hear me when I call. Let it be known For evermore that Thou art Lord alone ; That I, even I, Thy servant am, who still unceasingly To serve Thee run, And at Thy bidding all these things have done. Hear, when I pray, And make Thy people know Thy power this day, 1 The commandment to build an altar in Jerusalem only. E 5 o ELIJAH'S PRA YER And turn once more Their hearts to Thee, as in the days of yore ! Then fell there fire from heaven at his word, And all the people cried with one accord, " The Lord is God He only God and Lord ! " Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the Lord. EXODUS xxxv. 2. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day ; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable ; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words : then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. ISAIAH Iviii. 13, 14. THE SABBATH DAY THE morning stars chant forth their hymn of praise For with the light Thou givest them they shine And at their posts God's angels stand always, To glorify the holy name divine. And even so on earth Thy children gather Within Thy house, to seek their heavenly Father. 52 THE SABBA TH DA Y II Behold it is the Sabbath day And I, Thy servant, come before Thy throne, Almighty King, to pray That Thou Thy holy truth wilt pour Upon my soul, to give it rest once more. Grant that I may Thy praise proclaim, For my delight it is to speak Thy name. My times are in thy hand. PSALM xxxi. 15. The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants : and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. PSALM xxxiv. 22. HYMN OF PRAISE O GOD of earth and heaven, Spirit and flesh are Thine ! Thou hast in wisdom given, Man's inward light divine ; And unto him Thy grace accords The gift of spoken words. The world was fashioned by Thy will, Nor did'st Thou toil at it, for still Thy breath did Thy design fulfil. My times are in Thy hand, Thou knowest what is best, 54 HYMN OF PRAISE And where I fear to stand, Thy strength brings succour bless'd. Thy loving-kindness, as within A mantle, hides my sin. 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 did'st 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 ! Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions : according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord. PSALM xxv. 7. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins : return unto me ; for I have redeemed thee. ISAIAH xliv. 22. GUILTY ARE WE EVIL seed our sins have sown, Evil fruit from them has grown, Seek we then, to end our woes, Him who knows our frame and knows That dust are we. Smitten are we and contrite. Lo ! the heavens in His sight Are not pure, nor angel band Stainless : how before Him stand Then can we ? 56 GUILTY ARE WE Earth-born creatures, wrought of clay, Dare we boast us of to-day, When to-morrow, ended all, To the land beyond recall Journey we. Froward folly led us wrong, Our deliverance tarries long. For the harvest moon is set And the summer past, nor yet Saved are we. Chastised long our fathers were Shall we still the burden bear Of their sins ? Nay, grant, Most High, Us to live and not to die, Even we. Unto God our souls we trust, Though our bodies sink to dust. Rich and poor, the self-same seed, All one's father's sons indeed Are not we? Ye unto His word who cling Know that God is Lord and King, GUILTY ARE WE 57 Ruling all. The eternal Rock, He the Shepherd, we the flock, His are we. Vain the wisdom is of man, He who knoweth not his span, Nor the hour of life's decay, We are but of yesterday, Naught know we. Hearken to Thy servant's prayer, For our souls are filled with care, Courage fails and hope grows less, Exiled and in great distress Now are we. Comfort from Thy word we take That Thou, for Thy mercy's sake, Wilt avert Thy chastisement From the truly penitent : Wherefore we Do declare that verily, Guilty are we. ... It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning : great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul: therefore will I hope in him. LAMENTATIONS iii. 22-24. -Take with you words, and turn to the Lord : say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously : so will we render the calves of our lips. HOSE A xiv. 2. OUR FATHERS' SINS OUR fathers' sins wrought Zion's swift decay, Priest, altar, sanctuary have passed away. Yea, words for sacrifice we bring to-day, And with our lips the steers we will repay. Destroyed our dwelling lies, Wasted our house of glorious memories, The clouds of incense fail, Gone is our altar, rent the golden veil, Nought but our prayers remain OUR FATHERS' SINS 59 Forgive then our transgressions once again, As when the appointed one Led forth the scapegoat to the desert lone. Have mercy, Lord, and hear us when we pray, And with our lips the steers we will repay. The humble and oppress'd Forgive, O Lord, with mercy ever bless'd, And let their prayerful cry Ascend to Thee, like incense breathed on high. Pardon their manifold Transgressions, as when, in the days of old, The priest, with hands outspread, Made his confession o'er the scapegoat's head. Answer us, Lord, and turn Thy wrath away, And with our lips the steers we will repay. Look at the generations of old and see ; did ever any trust in the Lord and was confounded ? or did any abide in his fear and was forsaken ? or whom did he ever despise that called upon him? ECCLESIASTICUS ii. 10. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. PSALM xcvii. n. RESIGNATION I HOPE for the salvation of the Lord, In Him I trust, when fears my being thrill, Come life, come death, according to His word, He is my portion still. Hence doubting heart ! I will the Lord extol With gladness, for in Him is my desire, Which, as with fatness, satisfies my soul, That doth to heaven aspire. RESIGNATION 61 All that is hidden, shall mine eyes behold, And the great Lord of all be known to me, Him will I serve, His am I as of old ; I ask not to be free. Sweet is ev'n sorrow coming in His name, Nor will I seek its purpose to explore, His praise will I continually proclaim, And bless Him evermore. For thou lovest all the things that are, and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made : for never wouldest thou have made any thing, if thou hadst hated it. But thou sparest all, for they are thine, O Lord, thou lover of souls. WISDOM OF SOLOMON xi. 24 and 26. SIMEON BEN MIGDAL SIMEON ben Migdal, at the close of day Upon the shores of ocean chanced to stray, And there a man of form and mien uncouth, Dwarfed and mis-shapen, met he on the way. " Hail, Rabbi," spoke the stranger passing by, But Simeon thus, discourteous, made reply : " Say, are there in thy city many more, Like unto thee, an insult to the eye ? " " Nay, that I cannot tell," the wand'rer said, " But if thou fain would'st ply the scorner's trade, SIMEON BEN MIGDAL 63 Go first and ask the Master Potter why He has a vessel so mis-shapen made." Then (so the legend tells) the Rabbi knew That he had sinned, and prone himself he threw Before the other's feet, and prayed of him Pardon for words that now his soul did rue. But still the other answered as before : " Go, in the Potter's ear thy plaint outpour, For what am I ? His hand has fashioned me, And I in humble faith that hand adore." Brethren, do we not often too forget Whose hand it is that many a time has set A radiant soul in an unlovely form A fair white bird caged in a mouldering net ? Nay, more, do not life's times and chances, sent By the great Artificer with intent That they should prove a blessing, oft appear To us a burden that we sore lament. Ah ! soul, poor soul of man ! what heavenly fire Would thrill thy depths and love of God inspire, Could'st thou but see the Master hand revealed, Majestic move " earth's scheme of things entire." 64 SIMEON BEN MIGDAL It cannot be ! Unseen He guideth us But yet our feeble hands, the luminous Pure lamp of faith can light, to glorify The narrow path that He has traced for us. Safrfoatfj xxvin He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us ; he will subdue our iniquities ; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. MICAH vii. 19. Search me, O God, and know my heart : try me, and know my thoughts : and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. PSALM cxxxix. 23, 24. DAWN I ROSE at dawn to praise Thy name, My sins o'erwhelmed my soul with shame, But comfort after penance came, For all my hopes are set in Thee. Thou, O Almighty, knowest all The passions that my heart enthrall, Thy many mercies I recall, And to Thy throne for refuge flee. F 66 DAWN No profit unto Thee it were That I Thy chastening rod should bear, Turn then, O Lord, and hear my prayer And pardon mine iniquity. To Thee my hope, my longings rise, To Thee my soul for succour flies, And I bewail my sins with sighs, Like to the moaning of the sea. Thy name puts all my cares to flight, And radiates through my darkest night, The thought of Thee is my delight, And sweet as honey-comb to me. xxix They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. PSALM cxxv. I, 2. Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her : rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her : . . . As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you ; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. ISAIAH Ixvi. 10, 13. HAPPY HE WHO SAW OF OLD HAPPY he who saw of old The high priest, with gems and gold All adorned from crown to hem, Tread thy courts, Jerusalem, Till he reached the sacred place Where the Lord's especial grace Ever dwelt, the centre of the whole. Happy he whose eyes Saw at last the cloud of glory rise, But to hear of it afflicts our soul, 68 HAPPY HE WHO SA W OF OLD Happy he that day who saw How, with reverence and awe And with sanctity of mien, Spoke the priest : "Ye shall be clean From your sins before the Lord," Echoed long the holy word, While around the fragrant incense stole. Happy he whose eyes Saw at last the cloud of glory rise, But to hear of it afflicts our soul. Happy he who saw the crowd, That in adoration bowed, As they heard the priest proclaim, " One, Ineffable, the Name," And they answered, " Blessed be God, the Lord eternally, He whom all created worlds extol." Happy he whose eyes Saw at last the cloud of glory rise, But to hear of it afflicts our soul. Happy he who saw the priest Turn towards the shining east And, with solemn gladness thrilled, Read the doctrine, that distilled As the dew upon the plain, HAPPY. HE WHO SAW OF OLD 69 As the showers of gentle rain, While he raised on high the sacred scroll. Happy he whose eyes Saw at last the cloud of glory rise, But to hear of it afflicts our soul. Happy he who saw the walls Of the temple's radiant halls, Where the golden cherubim Hide the ark's recesses dim, Heard the singer's choral song, Saw the Levites' moving throng, Saw the golden censer and the bowl. Happy he whose eyes Saw at last the cloud of glory rise, But to hear of it afflicts our soul. Ever thus the burden rang Of the pious songs, that sang All the glories past and gone Israel once did gaze upon, Glories of the sacred fane, Which they mourned and mourned again, With a bitterness beyond control. Happy he whose eyes Saw (they said) the cloud of glory rise, But to hear of it afflicts our soul. 70 HAPPY HE WHO SAW OF OLD Singers of a by-gone day Who from earth have passed away, Now ye see the glories shine Of that distant land divine, And no more (entranced by them) Mourn this world's Jerusalem. Happy ye who, from that heavenly goal, See with other eyes, Far, than ours, such radiant visions rise That to hear of them delights our soul, xxx And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul? DEUTERONOMY x. 12. 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, 72 O SLEEPER, WAKE, ARISE And mark the host of stars that heaven reveals, His graven rings and seals. Tremble before His majesty and hope 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'erflow'd Whose hearts were free from guile. Their nights were spent in ceaseless prayer and praise In pious fasts 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 ! Whence does man's wisdom flow, Man, who of dust is wrought, Whose poor pre-eminence on earth does show Over the beast as naught ? Only those gazing with the inward eye Behold God's majesty : They have the well-spring of their being found O SLEEPEK, WAKE, ARISE 73 More precious far than wine. Thou also thus, though by earth's fetters bound, May'st 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. 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 ! Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it : except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows : for so he giveth his beloved sleep. PSALM cxxvii. i, 2. AT EVENING CAUSE us, our Father, to lie down in peace, And raise us up, our King, to life again ; Direct us on our way With Thy good counsel's stay And let us 'neath Thy tent of peace remain. O save us for the sake of Thy great name, Be unto us a shield, Thou King of kings. Remove from out our life Sickness and care and strife, Shelter us in the shadow of Thy wings. AT EVENING 75 Our guardian and deliverer Thou art, Merciful king, whom heaven and earth adore ! Guard Thou from harm and sin Our goings out and in, With life and peace henceforth and evermore. xxxn I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart ; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee : I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. PSALM ix. 1,2. PRAISE YE THE ALMIGHTY PRAISE ye the Almighty, Blessed be His name, Sing the Rock, our Maker And His might proclaim, Through unnumbered ages Still the same. Endless are the wonders, That His hand has wrought, Past the power of number, Past the range of thought, With exceeding glory Ever fraught. PRAISE YE THE ALMIGHTY 77 Every living being Doth His aid implore. Bless ye then His greatness And His name adore, Ye His well-loved people, Evermore. Lord of all creation, God, supreme, most high, Fount of life eternal, Bless'd unceasingly, With perpetual praises Sanctify. Taste and see, ye children, That the Lord is good, Happy he, who trusting In His fatherhood, Terrors and temptations Has withstood. Glorify and praise Him And His power proclaim Through unnumbered ages Still the same. Blessed through all ages Be His name. Satetfj-xxxm Praise ye the Lord from the heavens : praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels : praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon : praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord : for he commanded, and they were created. . . . Let them praise the name of the Lord : for his name alone is excellent : his glory is above the earth and heaven. PSALM cxlviii. 1-5, 13. THE WONDERS OF GOD FROM day to day, my soul, breathe forth thy prayer, And in the watches of the night declare His praises, who is clothed with majesty, And girt about with wonders past compare. His power and strength the universe pervade. His presence fills this earth, that He has made, Even as the cloud is filled with rain, that falls THE WONDERS OF GOD 79 On barren places, parched and void of shade, Till leaves grow green and flowers bloom once more. These are His wonders, His whom I adore, He is my God, my refuge, and my rock, To raise, to help, to gladden and restore. He tells the stars the hour to shed their light, Even as the flowers in spring-time blossom bright. Like unto song-birds scattered o'er the plain Are they, those wand'ring travellers of night, That flee, before the sun at dawn appears. With reverent awe, they bend their radiant spheres Before their God, whose mighty hand upholds The heavens and their shining tent uprears. He binds and loosens all the starry horde, He calls unto the heavens, and at His word They melt, while ocean's seething depths arise Tempestuous, at the summons of the Lord. Thou uncreated One, creating all, The mighty fear Thee none can Thee appal. Who is there who can hide his path from Thee, Or stand when Thou hast destined him to fall ? In bitterness of soul do I arise, And unto Thee, enthroned above the skies, I pray that it may be Thy will to grant 80 THE WONDERS OF GOD Forgiveness of my iniquities. O ! let me now the joyful tidings learn That mercy has effaced thy judgment stern, Thou Lord of all, whose mandate bringeth grief, But whose swift word that grief to joy can turn. Safrfratfj xxxiv Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered. HOSEA i. 10. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. PSALM Ixviii. 19. AS THE SAND OF THE SEA MAY the Almighty bless, from age to age, The seed of Israel, His heritage, And lead back Judah to the promised land O may He make our numbers as the sand. Now righteousness and peace, for ever bless'd, Among this people, through long years oppress'd, Embrace each other at the Lord's command. O may He make our numbers as the sand. Mercy and truth are met, and in our sight They have drawn near to us to give us light. G 82 AS THE SAND OF THE SEA O may His blessing rest upon our band, And may He make our numbers as the sand. The God of Israel your Saviour is, And He will pardon your iniquities, We will not, therefore, fear His chastening hand : O may He make our numbers as the sand. Return, ye faithful, to your rest once more, With joyful song the Lord our God adore, And bless and praise His name from land to land- O may He make our numbers as the sand. Safrfmtfj xxxv The Lord bless thee, and keep thee : the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee : the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. NUMBERS vi. 24-26. Great peace have they which love thy law. PSALM cxix. 165. THE PEACE OF GOD MOST blessed is, beyond compare, The peace of God, A crystal stream, that softly flows, A shelter, when the storm-wind blows, A star, whose light for ever glows. The path we trod So wearily, grows perfect fair When heaven's own messenger is there- The peace of God. Safrfratfj xxxvi And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee ; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee : feai not, neither be dismayed. DEUTERONOMY xxxi. 8. My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. EXODUS xxxiii. 14. FAITH OF all Thy gifts the best, O Lord, bestow On us Thy needy people, sore distress'd, Sore travel worn, and stained with sin and woe, Of all Thy gifts the best. Then shall we find, amid life's toilsome quest, The peace of God, from which all blessings flow, Then shall no evil fears our souls molest. Faith, faith in Thee, faith that, where'er we go, Thy presence goes with us, and gives us rest, That is in heaven above, on earth below, Of all Thy gifts the best ! xxxvn For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy ; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. ISAIAH Ivii. 15. O THOU RED SEA! THOU Red Sea and Sinai ! make known Where my Beloved has gone, What path He has decreed, Then to the palace of my Lord with speed 1 will go forth, and sheltered in His breast Find there at last tranquillity and rest. Horeb, thou mount of God, I ask of thee Declare if ever He Unto thy holy seer Did in the burning bush again appear. O'er all the world, His footstool and His throne, I pass and ask, but answer is there none. 86 THOU RED SEA t Midst all my griefs and sorrows multiplied, Does He perchance abide Within my heart to prove How sure a refuge is His heavenly love ? Yea, I have found Him there, my shield and stay, He helped me, and my sorrows passed away. Balm is it to my wound to find that He Thus closely holdeth me. Nor will I e'er demand A kingdom, nay, nor Judah's promised land. If but within my soul I feel and know His loving kindnesses' unceasing flow, When on my tongue withal His words of love like drops of honey fall, Weakened and humble grows The sinful pride, that in my heart arose. He is to me a crown, a diadem ; Why should I then desire gold or gem ? my Beloved, whom I have ever known 1 long for Thee alone, And through my love for Thee, My foes, in bitter wrath, have exiled me. But if, 'midst all, I should forget Thee, let My right hand, Lord, her cunning then forget. May'st Thou, my Father and my King, restore Thy temple as of yore, O THOU RED SEA ! 87 Thy scattered flock behold, And gather them into Thy sheltering fold; Thy covenant establish, O Most High, And make Thine ear attentive to our cry. The dove, at the grave's mouth who builds her nest, Lead in Thy courts to rest. As in the ancient days, Renew my joy, pour forth Thy glory's rays, Return once more unto Thy sacred shrine, And shed o'er me again Thy light divine. xxxvui Boast not thyself of to-morrow ; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. PROVERBS xxvii. i. HILLEL AND HIS GUEST HILLEL, the gentle, the beloved sage, Expounded day by day the sacred page To his disciples in the house of learning ; And day by day, when home at eve returning, They lingered, clust'ring round him, loth to part From him whose gentle rule won every heart. But evermore, when they were wont to plead For longer converse, forth he went with speed, Saying each day : " I go the hour is late To tend the guest who doth my coming wait," Until at last they said : " The Rabbi jests When telling us thus daily of his guests That wait for him." The Rabbi paused awhile, And then made answer : " Think you I beguile HILLEL AND HIS GUEST You with an idle tale ? Not so, forsooth ! I have a guest, whom I must tend in truth. Is not the soul of man indeed a guest, Who in this body deigns a while to rest, And dwells with me all peacefully to-day : To-morrow may it not have fled away ? " Sabfratfj xxxix The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth, and even for evermore. PSALM cxxi. 8. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. PSALM xci. I. PARAPHRASE OF PSALM CXXI UNTO the hills I lift mine eyes, Whence comes my help, my help that lies In God, enthroned above the skies, Who made the heavens and earth to be. He guides thy foot o'er mountain steeps, He slumbers not, thy soul who keeps, Behold He slumbers not, nor sleeps, Of Israel the guardian He. He is thy rock, thy shield and stay, On thy right hand a shade alway, PSALM CXXI 91 The sun ne'er smiteth thee by day, The moon at night ne'er troubles thee. The Lord will guard thy soul from sin, Thy life from harm without, within, Thy going out and coming in, From this time forth eternally. Shew me thy ways, O Lord : teach me thy paths. PSALM xxv. 4. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. PSALM xxv. 10. THE WAYS OF GOD FAIR in mine eyes are all Thy ways, And sweet it is to walk therein, For there man stumbles not, nor strays, There is no pitfall, snare, or sin. There do I move With gladness, drawn to Thee by bonds of love. Fountain of life, my soul's desire, My hope and refuge, Thou Most High, To see Thy glory I aspire, Too great a bliss for such as I ; Thus when I yearn For Thee, unto Thy house my steps I turn. THE WA YS OF GOD 93 O be Thy love my shield and stay ! Strengthen my heart to serve Thee still, Then shall Thine anger pass away, For I have not transgressed Thy will. My chief delight Is in Thy law, my study day and night The favour of Thy countenance Strengthened my arm in days of yore, Thy service mine inheritance Has been, and shall be evermore. Thou leadest me, Yea, though Thou slay me, I will trust in Thee. XLI In all ages entering into holy souls, she (Wisdom) maketh them friends of God and prophets. WISDOM OF SOLOMON vii. 27. THE SOUL LORD, my soul athirst for Thee Liveth but Thy light to see, Though consumed with longing, lives, For new life that longing gives. Made in God's similitude, And with heavenly powers endued. In His steps she followeth, Seeking Him with every breath, Passing free through boundless space, All untouched by time or place, Executing her intent Without tool or instrument THE SOUL 95 When the body's frame decay'd In the gloomy grave is laid, Then the soul with joyful might Heavenward takes her radiant flight, Serving God her sole delight. Earthly treasures she forsakes, And a bond of union makes With the angels of the Lord, One with them in sweet accord. Endless is the good she sees, All celestial harmonies, Joy and everlasting pleasure, More and more beyond all measure. Satetfj XLII Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteous- ness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. PSALM xxxvii. 5-7. COMMIT THY WAY COMMIT thy way unto the Lord, and trust In Him. Poor soul, midst doubts and fears astray, Dost thou in truth to Him, the wise and just, Commit thy way ? Dost thou not rather vainly strive to sway To-morrow's fate, and at each stormy gust Of fortune sink in measureless dismay ? Rest in the Lord, wait patiently, nor thrust Forth feeble hands in vain, but day by day To Him who lifts the needy from the dust Commit thy way ! XLIII Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shall say, I have no pleasure in them. . . . Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. ECCLESIASTES xii. i, 7. PRAYER UNTO thy Rock, my soul, uplift thy gaze, His loving-kindness day and night implore. Remember thy Creator in the days Of youth, in song His glorious name adore. He is thy portion through earth's troubled maze, Thy shelter, when life's pilgrimage is o'er. Thou knowest that there waits for thee always A peaceful resting-place His throne before. Therefore the Lord my God I bless and praise, Even as all creatures bless Him evermore. H XLIV I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning : I say, more than they that watch for the morning. PSALM cxxx. 5, 6. YEA, MORE THAN THEY YEA, more than they, who through the gloomy night, Through sleepless hours, that loiter on their way, Watch for the dawn above the eastern height, Yea, more than they. Watching and waiting for return of day, My soul waits for the Lord, the Lord of might, With whom forgiveness is, my hope and stay. And when His mercy thrills my soul contrite, My soul rejoices in His pardoning ray, More than they joy to see the morning light, Yea, more than they. As thy days, so shall thy strength be. DEUTERONOMY xxxiii. 25. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. PSALM xc. 12. AT MORNING O LORD, my life was known to Thee Ere Thou had'st 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 ! AT MORNING 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. XLVI Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. MALACHI iv. 2. O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me. PSALM xliii. 3. When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. MICAH vii. 8. O LORD, I CALL ON THEE O LORD, I call on Thee when sore dismayed, And Thou wilt hear my voice and lend me aid, Nor shall I be of myriads afraid, For Thou wilt ever be The portion of my lot Thou savest me. In troubled times Thy mercy's plenteous store Is full to overflowing evermore, And when in straitness I my plaint outpour, With words entreating Thee, Then with enlargement Thou dost answer me. .2 LORD, I CALL ON THEE Make known Thy love to those who trust and pray, To those, who hold Thy name their help and stay, Waiting for Thy salvation day by day. Yea, who, O Lord, but Thee, Shall make me glad, who else deliver me ? I Do Thou from heavenly heights my pain behold, And lead me back unto Thy sheltering fold, That I may answer scorners as of old : Yea, though my dwelling be In darkest night, God is a light to me. Safcfratjj XLVII But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, and their departure is taken for misery and their going from us to be utter destruction : but they are in peace. WISDOM OF SOLOMON iii. 1-3. SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS SOULS of the righteous in God's hand they lie Untouched by shadows from the pilgrim land, No pain, or torment ever cometh nigh Souls of the righteous in God's hand. Such peace is theirs earth cannot understand, Although to the unwise they seemed to die, They are at rest, a holy, blessed band. Like to the stars, whose radiant galaxy Gleams in the tent of heaven o'er us spann'd, So shine, among His angels set on high, Souls of the righteous in God's hand. XLVIII Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. . . . Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. PROVERBS iii. 13, 17. The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. PROVERBS iv. 18. HOW LONG How long wilt thou in childhood's slumber lie ? Know that youth flies like chaff the wind before. Can spring for ever last ? Nay, soon draws nigh Old age's messenger, with tresses hoar. Shake thyself free from sin, as ere they fly, The birds shake off the night-dews' pearled store. Cast off temptations, that thy peace defy, Like troubled waves upon a rocky shore, And follow after that pure company Of souls, that seek God's goodness evermore. Safrfratfj When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it : it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow : that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hands. DEUTERONOMY xxiv. 19. THE COMMANDMENT OF FORGETFULNESS RABBI ben Zadok, o'er the sacred law Bending with reverent joy, with holy awe, Read the commandment : " When thy harvest yields Its fruit and thou, when reaping in thy fields, Dost there forget a sheaf of golden grain, Fetch it not in to thee. It shall remain The poor, the stranger and the widow's store. And the Lord God shall bless thee evermore." Rabbi ben Zadok closed the well-loved book, And, gazing upward with a troubled look, He said : " With joy do I obey, O Lord, io6 THE COMMANDMENT OF FORGETFULNESS Each best and precept of Thy holy word, For which Thy name at morn and eve I bless, But this commandment of forgetfulness I have not yet performed as Thou hast willed, Since to remember leaves it unfulfilled." So mused the Rabbi. But when autumn came, And waves of corn glowed 'neath the sunset's flame, It chanced at evening, that, his labours o'er, He stood and gazed upon his garnered store, And suddenly to him his little son Came saying : " Father, see what thou hast done ! Three sheaves in yonder field I have espied Forgotten ! " " Oh ! " the pious rabbi cried, " Blessed art Thou, O Lord, whose gracious will Enables me Thy bidding to fulfil, Even through some oversight." And with the day Unto the house of God he took his way, And offered of his flocks and herds the best, For joy to have obeyed the Lord's behest. Thus runs the Talmud tale ! O God, may we Thus evermore rejoice in serving Thee. Satetfj L I will both lay me down in peace and sleep : for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. PSALM iv. 8. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee : because he trusteth in thee. ISAIAH xxvi. 3. FROM PSALM IV OFFER the sacrifice of righteousness, And put thy trust for evermore In the Lord God of Hosts, whose name we bless, Whose mercy we adore. Many there be that say : Yea, who shall show Us any good in coming years ? And on the burden of to-day they throw To-morrow's doubts and fears. Lord, lift Thou up o'er us Thy countenance, And let its light shine on our way, io8 FROM PSALM IV Then shall we move, unharmed by time and chance, With Thee our help and stay. Thou hast put gladness in my heart yet more Than when their corn and wine increased, For little need we seek for earthly store, By Thee from care released. I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, For Thou alone dost make me dwell In safety, Thou who dost Thy children keep, And orderest all things well. Sabfratfj LI But now, O Lord, thou art our father ; we are the clay and thou our potter ; and we all are the work of thy hand. ISAIAH Ixiv. 8. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God. . . . That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day : that he may establish thee to-day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. DEUTERONOMY xxix. 10, 12, 13. LO, AS THE POTTER Lo, as the potter moulds his clay Shaping and forming it from day to day, Thus in Thy hand, O Lord, are we. O Thou whose mercies never pass away, Forgive our sins once more, And keep Thy covenant as in days of yore. 1 10 LO, AS THE POTTER Even as the mason hews the stone, And one is carved and wrought, and shattered one, Thus in Thy hand, O Lord, are we, Thou who of life and death art Lord alone. Forgive our sins once more, And keep Thy covenant as in days of yore. Lo, as amidst the fiery glow The smith his iron forges blow on blow, Thus in Thy hand, O Lord, are we, O Thou who savest those by care laid low, Forgive our sins once more, And keep Thy covenant as in days of yore. Even as the helm the steerman's hand Holdeth now firmly grasped, now lightly spann'd, Thus in Thy hand, O Lord, are we ; O Thou who pardonest the transgressor's band, Forgive our sins once more, And keep Thy covenant as in days of yore. Lo, as the artificer's breath Now forms, now melts the glass he fashioneth, Thus in Thy hand, O Lord, are we ; O Thou whose love our weakness succoureth, Forgive our sins once more And keep Thy covenant as in days of yore. LOy AS THE POTTER in Lo, as the silver seven times tried Is in the smelter's furnace purified, Thus in Thy hand, O Lord, are we ; O Thou, who balm and healing scatterest wide, Forgive our sins once more, And keep Thy covenant as in days of yore. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near : let the wicked forsake his way, and the un- righteous man his thoughts : and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. ISAIAH Iv. 6-9. 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. PENITENTIAL PRAYER 113 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. Thy loving-kindness is my life-long 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 ; i 114 PENITENTIAL PRAYER For all our years are but as yesterday Soon past, and as a watch at night. 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 eagle's 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 humbled spirit, pray Unceasingly, by day and night. PENITENTIAL PRAYER 115 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 ! " And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho ; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession : and die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people ; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people. DEUTERONOMY xxxii. 48-50. THE DEATH OF MOSES THIS the road I tread to-day God has ordered, I obey, Far from all I take my way, O my people, be at peace. What we do we know not ; still God His pleasure does fulfil, And none questioneth His will. Thou, our shepherd, go in peace. THE DEA TH OF MOSES 1 1 7 Now the parting hour is nigh, The appointed time, and I, Even as Aaron died, shall die, O my people, be at peace. Lo the path that thou must tread, Whither great and small are led, Who is there that does not dread ? Thou, our shepherd, go in peace, God it is who spake to me : Yonder mount thy death shall see, Sad was I exceedingly. O my people be at peace. Death for all in ambush lies, Yea, but precious in His eyes Is it when His loved one dies : Thou, our shepherd, go in peace. Grief and care have laid me low, For death's fatal touch I know. Ah ! and whither shall I go ? O my people, be at peace. Be no more disconsolate, For beyond death's gloomy gate, n8 THE DEATH OF MOSES Eden's joys thy coming wait. Thou, our shepherd, go in peace. How art thou, my soul, cast down ! From my head is fallen the crown, Rent the rock of my renown. O my people, be at peace. 'Midst God's angels thou shalt shine, Grace and mercy shall be thine, And eternal life divine. Thou, our shepherd, go in peace. LIV There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlast- ing arms. DEUTERONOMY xxxiii. 26, 27. 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. HYMN OF GLORY Therefore will I of Thee relate All glorious things, and celebrate In songs of love Thy name most great. 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 could they 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. HYMN OF GLORY 121 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. WHEN THE MORNING CAME (HYMN FOR THE FIRST DAY OF PASSOVER) THE Glory of the Lord our God behold, Who set us free from bondage sore, And praise in song the mercies manifold He grants us evermore. When close and closer dangers thee appal And fill with terror day and night, O bid thy heart remember midst them all That darkness turns to light. Mark how the sun now rising golden clear Sank yester eve in gloomy gray, Then wherefore let to-morrow's doubt and fear Afflict thy soul to-day ? Look up unto our help in ages past, In troubled days and perilous, What time the hostile camps besieged us fast, And nigh consumed us. WHEN THE MORNING CAME 123 O silent Dove, the glorious power await Of Him who doth thy life redeem, Who makes the men of might, their pomp and state, As passing shadows seem ; Then like a vision of the night is stilled The haughty tumult of the foe, And all the pride with which his heart is filled Is suddenly brought low. Declare then evermore unweariedly To generations yet unknown, The wonders that our Rock in majesty Has to His people shown. Seek'st thou a sign to know the dead once more Shall rise to life, their troubles past, And that earth's pilgrims, all their wand'rings o'er, Shall dwell in peace at last ? Look upon this how God from out the grave Did lead us forth to life and breath, And how He wrought great miracles to save Us from the dust of death Therefore with closed lips and silent tongue, Accept thine hour of sore distress, And banish from thy heart, by anguish wrung, All wrath and bitterness. Hope still for happier days. To every woe 124 WHEN THE MORNING CAME Shall come an end, though long delayed. Why is thy hand grown slack, thy faith sunk low ? Be strong and undismayed. Remember how one evening saw of old A nation plunged in darkest night, And when the morning came again behold, The Lord had brought us light ! BY THE RED SEA (HYMN FOR THE SEVENTH DAY OF PASSOVER) 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. 126 BY THE RED SEA O let thy banner soar The scattered remnant o'er, And gather them once more, Like corn on harvest-day. 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 : BY THE RED SEA 127 " Who can with Thee compare, O Lord of Hosts ? " they say. When as a wall the sea In heaps uplifted lay, A new song unto Thee Sang the redeemed that day. SINAI (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 awaiting 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. ODE TO ZION (HYMN FOR THE FAST OF AB) 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 multiplied. 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, K 130 ODE TO ZION Sweet as the harps, that hung by Babel's stream. My heart is sore distressed For Bethel ever blessed, 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 ? Oh, 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 ? Oh, who will give me wings That I may fly away, And there, at rest from all my wanderings, The ruins of my heart among thy ruins lay ? ODE TO ZION 131 I'll 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. How can I make of meat or drink my care ? How can mine eyes enjoy The light of day, when I see ravens tear Thy eagle's flesh, and dogs thy lions' whelps destroy ? Away, thou cup of sorrow's poisoned gall ! Scarce can my soul thy bitterness sustain. When I Ahola unto mind recall, 132 ODE TO ZION I taste the 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. Shinar and Pathros ! come they near to thee ? Naught are they by thy light and right divine. To what can be compared the majesty Of thy anointed line ? 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 bless'd Is he whom God has chosen for the grace Within thy courts to rest. ODE TO ZION 133 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. MY KING (HYMN FOR NEW YEAR) 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! " MY KING 135 True weight and measure learned my heart from Thee : If blessings follow, then what joy for me ! If naught 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 ? Oh, be Thy mercy in the balance laid, To hold Thy servant's sins more lightly weighed, 136 MY KING 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 ; I 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. JUDGMENT AND MERCY (HYMN FOR NEW YEAR) 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, 138 JUDGMENT AND MERCY And will count your prayers more precious than the off'rings Brought of old. May the tribes of those who worship and proclaim Him Be uplifted as of yore ; When He pruneth, may He cut the straggling 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. JUDGMENT AND MERCV 139 From each band of angels mighty in their splendour, From each shining, circling star, 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." THE ROYAL CROWN (FOR THE PENITENTIAL DAYS) PART I WONDROUS are Thy works, O Lord of Hosts, And their greatness holds my soul in thrall ; Thine the glory is, the power divine, Thine the majesty, the kingdom Thine ; Thou supreme, exalted over all. Thine is the throne in heavenly heights sublime, The hidden dwelling-place all worlds above, Th' existence, from the shadow of whose light Springs every living thing, of which aright We say, that in its shade we live and move. THE ROYAL CROWN 141 Thine the two worlds, that thou dost hold apart, The first for work, the next for heavenly rest : Thine the reward, which Thou hast treasured there, Wrought for the righteous ones, with loving care, Because Thou hast beheld and known it blest. ii Thou art One, the first great cause of all, Thou art One, and none can penetrate, Not even the wise in heart, the mystery Of Thy unfathomable Unity : Thou art One, the infinitely great. in . Thou dost exist, but not the hearing ear Or seeing eye can reach Thee : what Thou art, And how and wherefore, is to us unknown. Thou dost exist, but through Thyself alone, King, in whose power no other has a part. Thou dost exist : Thou wast ere time began, Pervading all, when there was yet no space, Thou dost exist : Thy mystery, concealed Far from men's sight lies ever unrevealed, Deep, deep, where none can find its dwelling-place. 142 THE ROYAL CROWN IV Thou livest, but not with the twofold life Of soul and mind : soul of the soul art Thou. Thou livest, and eternal joy shall bless, At th' end of days, those whom Thy graciousness To penetrate Thy mystery will allow. Thou art mighty, and of all Thy works There is none whose power to Thine comes nigh. Thou art mighty, and Thy boundless power Makes Thee pardon, even in the hour Of Thy wrath, man's sore iniquity. VI Thou art light : pure souls shall Thee behold, Save when mists of evil intervene. Thou art light, that, in this world concealed, In the world to come shall be revealed : In the mount of God it shall be seen. VII Thou art God, and all whom Thou hast formed Serve and worship Thee in love and fear : THE ROYAL CROWN 143 Nor aught lessens it Thy majesty, That they worship others besides Thee, For they all would fain to Thee draw near. Yet like blind men from the path they stray, While they seek the great King's road to gain. In destructive pits and snares they lie, Ever deeming their desire is nigh, Though they toil and labour all in vain. But Thy servants move with open eyes, On the straight path ever travelling, Nor to right or left on either hand Turn they, till within the court they stand, Leading to the palace of the King. Thou art God, and Thy Divinity And Thy Unity the world uphold. Thou art God, eternal, one, divine : These, Thy attributes in Thee combine Indivisible, yet manifold. VIII Thou art wise, and at Thy side hast reared Wisdom, fount of life, Thy first-born son. Thou art wise : this universal frame 144 THE ROYAL CROWN At Thy mighty word to being came, When to aid or counsel Thee was none. Thou didst span the heaven's vast canopy And the planet's shining tent uprear, In Thy hand dost Thou, O Lord of might, All creation's utmost ends unite, Gathered as one whole from sphere to sphere. PARTS II AND III BEYOND conception great Thy power is, wherewith Thou didst create From out Thy glory's depths a radiant flame, Hewn from the rock of rocks and wrought Out of eternity, with wisdom fraught, The soul, the living soul, thus didst Thou call its name By Thee, Omnipotent, Formed of the spirit's fire, and sent To guard and keep and serve awhile this earthly frame. THE ROYAL CROWN 145 Beyond all recompense, O Lord our God, is Thy beneficence, In that Thou didst enshrine Within the body's cage the soul, that gift divine, To give man life and light, From evil rescue him and lead his steps aright. Beyond all mysteries, Lord, of Thy wondrous works the secret lies, In that Thou gavest man The power of sight Thy mighty world to scan, Gavest the listening ear Of all Thy glorious miracles to hear, The mind to apprehend A portion of Thy wonders without end, And speech wherewith to praise Thy works, and tell of all Thy wondrous ways. Lo ! even thus do I, Son of Thy handmaid, with humility And faltering lips, proclaim How Thou exalted art, how glorious is Thy name. ii Shame-stricken, bending low, My God, I come before Thee, for I know That even as Thou on high L I4& THE ROYAL CROWN Exalted art in power and majesty, So weak and frail am I, That perfect as Thou art, So I deficient am in every part. Thou art all-wise, all-good, all-great, divine, Yea, Thou art God : eternity is thine, While I, a thing of clay, The creature of a day, Pass shadow-like, a breath, that comes and flees away. What is my life, my strength, my righteousness, That I should dare abide Before thee, torn by passions numberless, With soul unpurified ! in My God, I know my sins are numberless, More than I can recall to memory Or tell their tale : yet some will I confess, Even a few, though as a drop it be In all the sea. I will declare my trespasses and sin And peradventure silence then may fall THE ROYAL CROWN 147 Upon their waves and billows' raging din, And Thou wilt hear from heaven, when I call, And pardon all. I have transgressed and sinned and turned aside From Thy most holy precepts day by day, I have rebelled, Thy law I have defied, In scorn and folly, from the heavenward way Have gone astray. Corrupted are my paths, and prone my heart To deeds of evil. Righteous, O Most High, In all that hast befallen me Thou art ; For just and faithful Thou hast been, but I Did wickedly. IV My God, if mine iniquity Too great for all endurance be, Yet for Thy name's sake pardon me. For if in Thee I may not dare To hope, who else will hear my prayer ? Therefore, although Thou slay me, yet In Thee my faith and trust is set : 148 THE ROYAL CROWN And though Thou seekest out my sin, From Thee to Thee I fly to win A place of refuge, and within Thy shadow from Thy anger hide, Until Thy wrath be turned aside. Unto Thy mercy I will cling, Until Thou hearken pitying : Nor will I quit my hold of Thee Until Thy blessing light on me. Remember, O my God, I pray, How Thou hast formed me out of clay, What troubles set upon my way. Do Thou not, then, my deeds requite According to my sins aright, But with Thy mercy infinite. For well I know, through good and ill That Thou in love has chastened still, Afflicting me in faithfulness, That Thou my latter end may'st bless. Therefore, O Lord, let now Thy mercies be Inclined towards me, and my sins forgot, And let Thy wrath be turned away from me, So that I perish not. . THE ROYAL CROWN 149 Mayest Thou, O my God, to me return With mercy, and in Thy beneficence, Cause me to seek Thy face, the joy to learn Of perfect penitence. Incline Thy ear to me my prayer to grant, Prepare my heart Thy mercy to implore, Teach me Thy law, and in my soul implant Thy fear for evermore. O may it be Thy gracious will to guard Me from all deeds of evil passions born, From off my path the evil powers to ward, Temptation, sin, and scorn. Be with my lips in prayer, and guard my way, Lest with my tongue I sin. Save me from harm, And give me refuge through life's stormy day Within Thy sheltering arm. VI My God, I know that those who plead To Thee for grace and mercy need All their good deeds should go before, And wait for them at heaven's high door. But no good deeds have I to bring, 150 THE ROYAL CROWN No righteousness for offering, No service for my Lord and King. Yet hide not Thou Thy face from me, Nor cast me out afar from Thee : But when Thou bid'st my life to cease, O may'st Thou lead me forth in peace Unto the world to come, to dwell Among Thy pious ones, who tell Thy glories inexhaustible There let my portion be with those Who to eternal life arose, There purify my heart aright In Thy light to behold the light. Raise me from deepest depths to share Heaven's endless joys of praise and prayer, That I may evermore declare : Though Thou wast angered, Lord, I will give thanks to Thee, For past is now thy wrath, and Thou dost comfort me. VII Lord, Thy heavenly love bestoweth All the good my spirit knoweth, All my life-long benedictions THE ROYAL CROWN 151 From Thy gracious hand they came. May Thy hallowed fear enfold me, May Thy perfect law uphold me, That my soul in glad submission To Thy great and awful name, Praise and prayer and thanks outpouring, Sanctifying and adoring, May exalt it, and extol it, and its unity proclaim. Blessed, exalted, glorified, Praised, extolled, and sanctified, Art Thou, O Lord, And eternally adored, And Thy unity made known By the righteous and the just, By those risen from the dust, By the angels round Thy throne, And by those who ceaselessly Do proclaim Thy unity. For among the mighty none Are like unto Thee, nor one Of their works is like to Thine. Thou by all the host divine By cherubim and seraphim, Radiant spirits manifold, Unto Thee acceptable 152 THE ROYAL CROWN Art in heaven above extolled. And Thy people Israel With awe and reverence proclaim : " God is One and One His name ! " Thou art God in highest heaven, On this earth, that Thou hast given Unto man, and none beside Thee Was, or is, or e'er shall be. May my words of adoration, May my inward meditation, O my Rock and my Redeemer, prove acceptable to Thee. THE HEART'S DESIRE (HYMN FOR THE DAY OF ATONEMENT) LORD ! unto Thee are ever manifest My inmost heart's desires, though unexpress'd In spoken words. Thy mercy I implore Even for a moment then to die were bless'd. 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. 154 THE HEARTS DESIRE 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 ? But should / strive to scale ambition's height, Who with the worm may sleep ere fall of night ? THE HEART'S DESIRE 155 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 temptation'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 ? SERVANT OF GOD (HYMN FOR THE DAY OF ATONEMENT) 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, Thou God, by all adored ! SERVANT OF GOD 157 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 Cast me not off, by weight of years oppress'd, 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, 158 SERVANT OF GOD 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 ! 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 ! MERCY AND PARDON (HYMN FOR THE DAY OF ATONEMENT) COME, let us bow and bend the knee, And seek with souls contrite And hearts uplifted, ceaselessly God's mercy infinite. All we like sheep have gone astray, But He will hear us when we pray, So that we yet may find to-day Mercy and pardon. For though our sins are numberless, And daily we His law transgress, Yet hope inspires the prayerful song : " Unto the Lord our God belong Mercy and pardon." God's loving mercies far exceed The measure of our sin : 160 MERCY AND PARDON Then let us seek them in our need, Our shelter there to win. For though the wrath of God be just, Yet, bending humbly to the dust, We still may gain, in loving trust, Mercy and pardon. Come, we will hasten penitent To pray to Him Omniscient, To raise again the prayerful song : " Unto the Lord our God belong Mercy and pardon." Man cannot by his works alone His load of guilt annul. Let him with prayers besiege the throne Of Heaven most merciful. To those who seek Him earnestly, In penitent humility, The Lord our God will multiply Mercy and pardon. O'er heaven above, o'er earth below, His wide extended blessings flow, Then raise with joy the prayerful song : " Yea to the Lord our God belong Mercy and pardon." WHILE YET WE DWELL ON EARTH (HYMN FOR THE DAY OF ATONEMENT) WHILE yet we dwell on earth God watches us, to whom His word gave birth, And waits, in love and graciousness, For penitence, that He our latter end may bless. Can man be proved righteous in the sight. Of God, to whom all hidden thoughts are known ? Yea, if his soul repent before his light Is quenched and thus alone Can he gain pardon and for sin atone. Even darkness hideth naught from God on high, The evil deeds man holds invisible Will at the end against him testify. Therefore for him 'tis well, Confessing them, guilt's shadow to dispel. M 1 62 WHILE YET WE DWELL ON EARTH Behold, the heaven of heavens is not pure In the eyes of God : how much less man, defiled By shame and sin, whom guilty thoughts allure. Let him, the oft-beguiled, Then muse on this, ere earth reclaim her child. His treasured gold will not, in death's dark hour. Ransom his soul : but if through life he cling To mercy and to righteousness, their power Will his redemption bring, And he shall see the glory of the King. 'Tis good for man the law's mild yoke to bear, With love and awe its statutes to obey For his oft-faltering steps it will prepare The path of right alway, And lead him through the grave to heavenly day. Lord, in Thy hand as potter's clay are we : Do Thou sustain us on life's troubled shore, And fill our hearts with love and fear of Thee, So that we may adore Thy name, and sing Thy praises evermore. While yet we dwell on earth God watches us, to whom His word gave birth, And waits in love and graciousness For penitence, that He our latter end may bless. PALMS AND MYRTLES (HYMN FOR THE FIRST DAY OF 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 prayerful voice Have mercy, save and prosper them. May'st 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. 164 PALMS AND MYRTLES 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 host, they cry " Blessed art Thou for evermore." CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE (HYMN FOR THE LAST DAY OF TABERNACLES) CREATOR of the universe, in Thee Is all my strength, is all my might, Thy favour unto me My gladness is, my soul's delight Did not Thy loving-kindnesses abound My toil were vain, of profit reft, Thy mercy folds me round, Thy glory guides me right and left Open to me the portals of Thy grace, That I may come and enter in, And let Thy hand efface The heavy record of my sin. 166 CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE O may Thy love be magnified alway, Thy kindness marvellous withal ! And grant my prayer this day, This eighth day of our festival. 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 ! 168 SABBATH HYMN Arouse thyself, awake and shine, For, lo ! 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 ! 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 The peaceful season of my prayers is o'er, Would that again had rest my soul contrite, 170 HYMN FOR CONCLUSION OF SABBATH 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. 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. HYMNS 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. 172 HYMNS OF UNITY FOR THE 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. SEVEN DAYS OF THE WEEK 173 III I KNOW it well : Thou art all good, all wise. Thou slayest, but Thy touch death's power can quail; Thou woundest, but Thy hand the balm supplies : I know it well. Nor sin, nor grief can in Thy 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. 174 HYMNS OF UNITY FOR THE 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 Lord ! SEVEN DAYS OF THE WEEK 175 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 art great. Thousands of angels, by Thy word controll'd, To do Thy bidding Thy commands await : Yet of them all, Thy wonders manifold Who shall narrate ? 1 76 HYMNS OF UNITY FOR THE VI ALONE didst Thou, O Lord, the heavens' wide tent Uprear and bid the earth beneath be shown ! Thy word the oceans in their boundaries pent Alone. 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 ! SEVEN DAYS OF THE WEEK 177 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 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. The land desired so long, Our father's heritage, Inspires our prayer and song GRACE AFTER MEALS 179 To God from age to age : His bounteous gifts afford Our sustenance each day, His mercy is our stay Yea, faithful in 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 build once more, Thy temple walls upraise, There will we Thee adore With joyful songs of praise, Thee, merciful, adored, We bless and sanctify, With wine-cups filled up high, By blessings of the Lord. Our Rock, etc. GRACE FOR THE SABBATH To Israel this day is joy ever bless'd, Is light and is gladness, a Sabbath of rest. Thou Sabbath of rest, To a people distress'd, To sorrowful souls, A strong soul hast given. From souls tempest-driven Thou takest their sighing, Thou takest their sighing, Thou Sabbath of rest This Sabbath of rest, O God, thou hast bless'd And hallowed above All the days of creation, The care-laden nation To peace and hope wakens, To peace and hope wakens, This Sabbath of rest. GRACE FOR THE SABBATH 181 To slaves giveth rest The Sabbath behest, We are free while we keep Its statutes appointed. A gift well anointed We bring thee, O loved One, We bring thee, O loved One, The Sabbath of rest. O gladden our rest, And our sanctuary bless'd Restore thou, O Lord, And grant Thy salvation To Israel Thy nation, Extolling and praising, Extolling and praising The Sabbath of rest. To Israel this day is joy ever bless'd Is light and is gladness, a Sabbath of rest. MORNING PRAYER MY God, the soul Thou gavest me is pure, Created, formed by Thee, And breath'd into me. Within the body's veil it will endure, Until Thou call it hence To live again through Thy beneficence While I yet live, my lips shall still recall That Thou art King and Lord, Ruler of all, whose word Creates and forms, sustains and governs all. Bless'd for evermore Art Thou, who dost the dead to life restore. EVENING PRAYER BLESS'D art Thou, O Lord of all, Who mak'st the bands of sleep to fall Upon mine eyes, and slumber press Mine eyelids down with heaviness. God of my fathers, may it be Thy will, this night to suffer me To lay me down in peace and rise In peace, when morning gilds the skies. From thoughts of ill my slumber keep, And, lest the sleep of death I sleep, O Lighten Thou mine eyes, for Thou Lord, dost with light the eye endow. Bless'd art Thou, O Lord most high, Who in Thy glorious majesty, And in Thy gracious love hast given Light upon earth and light in heaven. LORD OF THE UNIVERSE. (ADON OLAM) LORD of the Universe, who reigned Ere earth and heaven's fashioning, When to create the world he deigned, 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. 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. LORD OF THE UNIVERSE 185 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. THE LIVING GOD WE PRAISE. (YIGDAL) 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. THE LIVING GOD WE PRAISE 187 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 sercet 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.