Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By Ephraim ben Isaac (Trans. Nina Davis)Since We Be Standing
S
As ministers before Thee in Thy Name,
And spread our hands out, having naught for Thee
Of that oblation wherewith once we came—
Hear now, O Lord, Thy people’s voice and hold
Their crying for their sacrifice of old.
Who guarded for Thy treasury its due;
There is no off’ring and no gift this day,
And still can justice pierce a mountain through,
Yet so shall Jacob’s sin be purged at last,
And his atonement made in this his fast.
The silver of the ransom for my soul;
But wherefore, O my soul, art stricken low?
Nay, bless the Lord and verily extol.
For He will soon repent Him for His own
Judging His people from the eternal throne.
To make repentance for our souls therein;
Yea, though Thine altar still be empty thus,
Our soul’s affliction pleadeth for our sin.
Of old our fathers trusted in Thy Name,
They trusted, and from Thee redemption came.
Their dwelling-places low, their cities fair,
No off’ring hath been brought Thee since the day
The sanctuary was wasted and laid bare.
Yet vengeance on His foemen He will take,
And make atonement for His people’s sake.
Mine orison shall drop as fragrant spice;
The prayer of the afflicted, burdened sore,
Shall be a handful sweet for sacrifice;
So that he may not perish in the pit,
Nor want for bread nor go forth lacking.
Their gift as that brought once in priestly hand;
Let those who call on stocks or trees be swept
From where my fathers prayed on hallowed land.
Yet, let the Lord to jealousy be moved
For His own land, and pity those He loved.
As ministers before Thee in Thy Name,
And spread our hands out, having naught for Thee
Of that oblation wherewith once we came—
Hear now, O Lord, Thy people’s voice, and hold
Their crying for their sacrifice of old.