I hope in the Lord at all times

Masud

Second Half of the 17th Century

I hope in the Lord at all times,
And to the fearsome, awful One,
I cry: Grant redemption, Thou
Who dost not slumber, dost not sleep.
My soul, all weary and exhausted,
Longs and yearns,
For it traversed
The way to the Kushan tents.
I was fearful and afraid.
I kissed their faces,
Fell before their feet,
On the way to the Kushan’s tents.
So fearful of my foe
I ran like a gazelle.
Cried to my father’s God
On the way to the Kushan’s tents:
“O prop of the fallen, have mercy!
Save me from my foe,
Though, through my sins,
I have come to the Kushan’s tents.”
My eye took them in,
My bones shook for fear of them.
I almost collapsed
For fear of the Kushan’s tents.
My companions were gone.
I was captive to my foes,
Who drew their swords over me
On the way to the Kushan’s tents.
I went up the mountain path
And there met my companions.
Yes, the Lord was with me
On the way to the Kushan’s tents.
Translated by Raymond P. Scheindlin.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

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