Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By Simeon ben Isaac ben Abun (Trans. Israel Zangwill)Thee I Will Seek
T
O great in Judah and in Israel blest,
For He who searches mortals understands
How truly my transgressions are confest.
Thy myriad mercies save us from the dust;
Lo, unto Thee we stretch our guilty hands,
And in Thy holy Name we put our trust.
To seek in humbleness Thy shield of might;
Thy strength is all the refuge of the poor,
And lowly souls Thou placest on the height.
Unsated and unceasing is their scorn;
Lo! we are wasted of the tyrant boor
Who left the helpless utterly forlorn.
Their sins confest, abandoned in dismay;
Lo, pardon them and be no longer vext,
For is it not the dread Atonement Day?
Be pitiful and trample sin to dirt;
Lo! sweet as honey tastes the holy text,
“For He is one who healeth those He hurt.”
He will remove the burden of our blame;
Before His face His people shall avow
The sins presumption added to their shame.
O cease, according to their plea, to count;
Lo, life eternal set upon their brow,
For, Lord, in Thee is life’s eternal fount.
Their heart’s perversity from them erase;
Let sprinkled water purify each soul,
And let the dew revive each stony place.
It is the hour, forgiveness is awake.
Lo! cleanse them as ’tis written in the Scroll,
“For on this day he shall Atonement make.”
Than when the altar in the Temple stood.
Lo! known to Him each sinew of my breast,
My reins are fashioned by His fatherhood.
So due acceptance greet Thy servant’s plea,
For whoso honors Thee Thou honorest,
Thou sole-exalted in sublimity.
Iniquities Thou wilt not strictly scan;
Lo! God the righteous loves not punishment,
His ways transcend the little human plan.
Lest by my sin I shall be duly paid;
Yet Him I trust, and wait in dumb assent;
Repentance ever brought consoling aid.
Confessing every public, private sin;
Lo! this is the appointed Judgment Day,
A covenant eternal set within.
Remorse replacing ancient sacrifice.
Ah, could I but beneath His shadow stay.
He knows the weakness of my own device.
When Thou Thy sheep and lambs art counting o’er;
Lo! this Thy flock is shepherded of Thee,
Nor e’er forgets the wonders wrought of yore.
The fear of Thee is all their treasure-stock;
Ah, let the foes who judge us learn to see
How little is their rock beside our Rock.
God in their eyes Himself shall sanctify.
Thus righteousness in these He brings to bud,
Down-looking from His holy place on high.
The glory of His presence there shall pause;
Lo! men shall tremble when the Judge of blood
Arises to espouse His people’s cause.
Thy people from accusing tongues release,
So Thy beloved shall rechant Thy praise;
For happiness awaits the sons of peace.
Account our orisons as offerings;
Ah, flood us with Thy Presence as with rays,
From Zion goes the Law, the prophet sings:
To which they brought attentive ear and eye,
Lo! God this day His faithful nation thanks,
He is a God who softens at our cry.
He saves from wrath and pain our mortal breath;
Lo! arrogance as ignorance He ranks,
“It is My people’s ignorance,” He saith.