Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By Israel AbrahamsThe Royal Crown
M
To thee for grace and mercy need
All their good works should go before
And wait for them at heaven’s high door.
But no good deed have I to bring,
No righteousness for offering,
No service for my Lord and King.
Nor cast me out afar from thee;
But when thou bidd’st my life to cease,
O mayst thou lead me forth in peace
Unto the world to come, to dwell
Among the pious ones, who tell
Thy glories inexhaustible.
Who to Eternal life arose;
There purify my heart aright,
In thy light to behold the light.
Raise me from deepest depths to share
Heaven’s endless joys of praise and prayer,
That I may evermore declare.
Though thou wast angered, Lord, I will give thanks to thee,
For past is now thy wrath, and thou dost comfort me.