Supplication

(Paraphrased from the Hebrew of R. Jose ben Jose.)

OUR sins are many, and we sigh

For that we hearkened not to Thee

When all the time we knew Thee nigh,

But proud in our prosperity

We went our ways with head on high.

Now wasted is our strength, and we

Are like an armless soldier grown;

All that our fathers wrought for Thee

Is nought, and now we stand alone

In shame and dire infirmity.

We are like stubble on the plain

That no one seeks to gather in

Or load upon the harvest wain—

Consuming fire will purge our sin

And lead us pure to Thee again.

O Lord, Thy seal accounts us Thine;

Of yore when in our dire distress

We craved Thy charity divine,

Thou didst us with Thy mercy bless;

O be Thou in this hour benign!

The driven leaf let healing cure,

Repent Thee for this human dust.

O cleanse us that we may be pure,

Let all our sins from Thee be thrust—

Thy mercy is for ever sure!