You curtains of Solomon
You curtains of Solomon, how, amid the tents of Kedar,
Are you changed? You have no form, no beauty!
“The multitudes which dwelt aforetime in our midst,
Have left us a desolation, a broken ruin, unprotected—
The holy vessels have gone into exile and become profane,
And how can you ask for beauty of a lily among thorns?”
Rejected of their neighbors, but sought of their Lord,
He will call them each by name; not one shall be missing.
Their beauty, as in the beginning, He shall restore in the end,
And shall illume as the sevenfold light their lamp which is darkened.
Slightly adapted from the translation by Nina Salaman.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.
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And set your song like incense before Him.
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My soul, seek God at dawn
My soul, seek God at dawn, attend His house,
And set your song like incense before Him.
For if you run to try to trap Time’s vapors,
Mistaking his illusions for the truth,
And wander wayward, night and…
And set your song like incense before Him.
For if you run to try to trap Time’s vapors,
Mistaking his illusions for the truth,
And wander wayward, night and…
The pool (the pool!)
The pool (the pool!)—may its fountains flow forth.Its masters (its masters!)—may they have enjoyment of its delights.They utter (they utter!) praises and hymns to Him.I have raised up (I have raised…
The day is coming; its essence is dread
The day is coming; its essence is dread.Like smoke from a chimney, its panic ascends.It greatly overcomes all—who can bear it?And who can withstand it when it appears?One who is at peace and in safety…
My thoughts awaken me to see you
My thoughts awaken me to see You;They show me in my heart’s eye Your deeds;They teach me to tell Your wonders, “When I behold Your heavens, The work Your fingers made.”Around its course the disk…
Terrified of the Lord, I wore garments of fear
Terrified of the Lord, I wore garments of fear.My thoughts awoke me while my eyes were aslumber.A voice called out, and my face fell in shame.The Lord is stationed to issue verdicts, standing to judge…
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