Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By Baruch ben Samuel (Trans. Nina Davis)I Am the Suppliant
I
Yea, for the House of Israel, I am he;
I seek my God’s benign and heedful ear,
For words that rise from me.
My bitter sighs surge up to mount the sky;
Ah! how my heart doth part with ceaseless bound
For God, my Rock on high.
Lord of my strength, my God. When me He bade
To make a sanctuary for Him, I sought,
I labored, and ’twas made.
He ruleth as an all-consuming fire—
I came with sacrifice, my prayer He heard,
He granted my desire.
Of this, the holiest day, the chosen one,
When with the daily offering of the morn
The High Priest had begun.
In glorious order, each a sacred rite,
I, bending low, and calling on the Name,
Confessed before His sight.
Upon this day made their atonement then,
With blood of bullocks and of goats, within
The city full of men.
Preparing for the pure a way by fire.
I brought two rams and entered as a son
That cometh to his sire.
Were all performed according to their way;
Then passed before the throne of God complete
The service of the day.
Burst forth in psalmody and songs of love,
Yea, when I heard the voice uplifted high,
I raised mine hand above.
The mercy-seat within its sacred space:
Then glory filled me and my soul would soar
To yon exalted place.
Now wild disquiet rageth unrestrained;
Scorned and reproached by all from godly ways
Have I, alas, refrained.
Even the hearing of mine ears I quelled;
And righteous is the Lord, for at His word
I sorely have rebelled.
And hating good, strove righteousness to shun,
And in mine actions foolishness have wrought;
Great evil have I done.
O God, from Thine high dwelling, and behold
The souls that in affliction weep to Thee—
For lo! I have grown old.
O Lord of Hosts! in mercy lull our fears;
Answer with potent signs and be not Thou
Silent to all my tears.
The hearts not comforted, but pierced with care,
Praying with fervent lips, that know not guile,
O hearken to my prayer!