The Hymn of Glory

SWEET hymns I chant, and weave melodious

songs

My God, to Thee, for whom my being longs.
O let my soul beneath Thy sheltr'ing hand
Enshaded, all Thy secrets understand.
Whene'er in words Thy glory I would prove,
My panting heart yearns ever for Thy love.
So when in glorious praise of Thee I sing,
With loving cadences my voice shall ring.

I tell Thy glory, God unknown by me,
In metaphors by prophet lips expressed,
Drawing from out Thine actions manifest,
A likeness of Thy power not of Thee.

They imaged Thee in visions manifold,

Though Thou art One beneath all images; They saw Thee both in Age and Youthfulness, Black-haired in youth or grey as one grown old.

Aged as Judge, and Young when war's alarm
To manful striving calls. Then on Thy brow
A helm of triumph binding, forth goest Thou
Victorious through Thy right and holy arm.

With dews of light His head is crowned, His hair
Heavy with night-drops glistens; He shall be
By me adorned for He delights in me,
My garland He, the beauteous crown I wear.

Like purest gold His lustrous head does shine,
Graven in words, His holy name outstands,
Its radiance brightened, by His people's hands,
Who bind a crown unto His crown divine.

And poets pictured His young loveliness,

His black locks flowing in their curled array, Thus saw they Him. Yet knew His fairest trait, His beauty's chosen Home, was righteousness.

His treasured people were His royal crown,
He bore them, they were precious in His eyes;
His glory on me rests, mine on Him lies,
He honours me when others cast me down.

In ruddy robe, as one whose red feet fall

On Edom's vines, comes He a God of Woe! The God of Grace who did to Moses show The symbol of His love embracing all.

His wrath the proud, His love the humble find,
His heart delights to glorify the meek;

His seekers He, with answering search, does seek; Thus runs His truth, revealed to all mankind.

Then let my songs, my joyous ecstasies,
Unto Thy diadem a gem confer;
Or as the scented cassia and myrrh,
In fragrant incense unto Thee arise.

Do Thou as precious hold the poor man's cry
As psalmody anigh Thine altar sung;

And may my gift, those blessed gifts among,
Find gracious way to Thee enthroned on high.

And when I praise Thee, bounteous Lord, in song
O deem my offering the choicest spice;
And let my thoughts be a sweet sacrifice,
To lift my heart to Thee, for whom I long.

(Translated by I. A.)

Hymn of Glory

WEET hymns and songs will I indite To sing of Thee by day and night, Of Thee, who art my soul's delight.

How doth my soul within me yearn
Beneath Thy shadow to return,
Thy sacred mysteries to learn.

And even while yet Thy glory fires
My words, and hymns of praise inspires,
Thy love it is my heart desires.

Therefore will I of Thee relate
All glorious things, and celebrate
In songs of love Thy name most great.

Thy glory shall my discourse be,
In images I picture Thee,
Although Thyself I cannot see.

In mystic utterances alone

By prophet and by seer made known,
Hast Thy radiant glory shown.

Thy might and greatness they portrayed

According to the power displayed,

In all the works Thy hand has made.

In images of Thee they told

Of Thy great wonders wrought of old,
Thy essence could they not behold.

In signs and visions seen of yore
They pictured Thee in ancient lore,
But Thou art One for evermore.

They saw in Thee both youth and age,
The man of war, the hoary sage,
But ever Israel's heritage.

O Thou whose word is truth alway,
Thy people seek Thy face this day,
O be Thou near them when they pray.

May these, my songs and musings, be
Acceptable, O Lord, to Thee
And do Thou hear them graciously.

O let my praises heavenward sped,
Be as a crown unto Thy head.
My prayer as incense offeréd!

O may my words of blessings rise
To Thee, who throned above the skies,
Art just and mighty, great and wise!

And when Thy glory I declare
Do Thou incline Thee to my prayer,
As though sweet spice my offering were.

My meditation day and night
May it be pleasant in Thy sight,
For Thou art all my soul's delight...

(Translated by Alice Lucas.)

The Kaddish

ACCORDING to His righteous will,

Be magnify'd and hallow'd still, Throughout the world, His glorious name The world which at His summons came. And let Him suddenly and soon,

In glory, like the sun at noon,

On earth establish, to His praise,
His kingdom in your lives and days,
And in the lives of all the race
Of Israel, and fulfil his grace,

O house of Israel, fear the Lord,
And say, Amen, with one accord.
Amen! His glorious name be blest
For evermore, through east and west.

Still blessed, prais'd, with glory crowned, Exalted, magnified around,

Rever'd, extoll'd, and lauded be

His holy name, for bless'd is He
'Bove blessings all, or hymns sublime,
Or praises in the tents of time,
Or blessednesses said or sung
By mortal or immortal tongue.

O house of Israel, fear the Lord;
And say, Amen, with one accord.

Let all the race of Israel's pray'rs
And supplications, in their cares,
Be grateful in their Father's sight,
Who's high in heaven, enthron'd in light.
O house of Israel, fear the Lord;
And say, Amen, with one accord.

Let peace, and joy, and bliss from heav'n,
From day to day be freely giv'n;
With life to us and ours in store,

And each of Israel, evermore,

O house of Israel, fear the Lord;

And say, Amen, with one accord.

Let Him, whose blessings never cease,

Who through his lofty heav'ns makes peace, Make ever peace with us to dwell,

And all the race of Israel.

O house of Israel, fear the Lord; And say, Amen, with one accord.

W. W.