He who stretched out the heavens

Mid-11th Century

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This liturgical poem takes its title from the description of the divine in Isaiah 40:22. It is a penitential text, a selihah, included, in many rites, among the poems recited around Rosh Hashanah. The first part of this poem, however, focuses on divine grandeur and suggests that punishment for sin is unnecessary, given humanity’s lowly state. The refrain, “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints” (Psalms 89:8), may refer to either angelic worshipers or to the prayer community that is reciting the text.

Upon his earth like a tent

And set his dwelling in the glitter of amber,

Surrounded by fire and flame

Who covers himself with dread

And no one exits or enters,

Forgive my sins and keep distant

Those who accuse me of evil and slander.

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints!

O Lord, a cloud is your garment,

Even the gloomy mist.

And light abides with You

And You are knowledgeable in the darkness.

Moreover You have created the sweet things

As well as that which is bitter and tasteless,

And every root and branch

Even things of primary and secondary importance.

To You the heavens bow down,

Even the mighty and lowly ones.

And if I continually rehearse your praise

It is for You redundant and superfuous.

But why do You visit sins

Upon a premature worm?

Scatter my transgressions like chaff,

And as smoke from a window!

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints!

He who measured the dust of the earth

And the mire of the streets with a homer [a liquid measure—Ed.];

Who gauged the heavens with a span

And the waters with an ‘omer [a dry measure—Ed.];

Who made a skin for the heavens

With his stars like that of a leopard.

He gives us birth and causes death

And there is no one to oppose or change him.

All who fall into his net

Are like the wild oxen and chamois caught in a snare.

And all creatures are like sheep

Who need his protection and keeping.

We speak vanities and lies

But whatever He says is accomplished.

And a brightness surrounds him

Even a fierce wind which makes your hair stand

And lights that are green and black,

And white as wool.

And one fire rages in the midst of another

And each consumes his neighbor.

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints!

The seraphs prostrate themselves before You

As well as angels and seers,

And in fear they come out of hiding

From their caves and hollow rocks.

And the shining stars

Are turned to darkness.

But You allow sovereignty to monarchs

And give grace to those who have beauty.

Also by your wrath are they destroyed

In an instant they are removed.

Moreover, You enfeeble the strong and fortify the weak,

Even bestow loving kindness upon hundreds and thousands.

Give of your goodness to the treasured people

Though they be stained with sin.

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints!

The heavens, strong as a molten mirror,

Tremble before You.

Even the giants prostrate themselves

And the haughtiness of the great ones is made low.

Whereas men will speak and go back on their word

Your decrees are carried out.

When You gaze upon the earth

She trembles in her pillars.

And her foundations are revealed

And the channels of the waters appear.

A voice of thunder emanates from You,

Even the path of the lightning.

And You have set up statutes and ordinances

Which are engraved upon our hearts.

Yet we have performed them foolishly

Like those who scorn and lack refinement.

Pull off the sins and transgressions

Which have stuck to our bodies.

And if our offenses are many

Your forgiveness we know is great.

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints!

He who sends out his ice

In morsels even as bread in abundance

And who tears apart his rain clouds

Like a used-up garment.

Send honor to them that fear You

And a torch of destruction to the wicked;

Make white the sins that were red

As scarlet or strawberry,

And do not sell your congregation

To strangers forever.

Grant a healing I pray

Unto a people contrite and broken,

Bereaved and driven out

Without a bill of divorcement.

Betroth her to yourself anew with faithfulness

And write for her the marriage document.

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints!

Translated by Leon J. Weinberger.

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Credits

Samuel ha-Nagid, “He who stretched out the heavens,” from Jewish Prince in Moslem Spain: Selected Poems of Samuel Ibn Nagrela, ed. and trans. Leon J. Weinberger (University, Ala.: University of Alabama Press, 1973), 92–94. Used with permission of the publisher.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.

He who stretched out the heavens

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