Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By Max MeyerhardtThe Heavenly Light
W
Had fled from Pharaoh’s cruel might,
The Eternal sent, to lead them on,
A cloud by day, a fire by night.
The beacon from Jehovah’s hand,
The chosen people safely reached
Their destined goal, the promised land.
Has God his wondrous mercies shown,
For still He grants to all mankind
A glorious light to lead them on.
By Israel borne in every clime,
Through fire and flood, through tears and blood.
With courage grand and faith sublime.
The Hebrews braved the nations’ wrath
And nobly followed still the guide
That led them on in virtue’s path.
Proclaimed from Sinai’s flaming height,
And burning, as each age rolls by,
With purer, grander, holier light.
With radiant splendour shine to-day;
Nor time, nor change, nor tyrant’s power
Can quench or dim one holy ray.
Till sin and hate from earth depart;
Till wrong shall fail and right prevail,
And justice rule the human heart.
E’en like God’s own untiring hand,
That we, when this life’s storms are o’er,
May reach with joy the heavenly land.