#4615

O God of earth and heaven,
Spirit and flesh are Thine!
Thou hast in wisdom given,
Man’s inward light divine;
And unto him Thy grace accords
The gift of spoken words.
The world was fashioned by Thy will,
Nor did’st Thou toil at it, for still
Thy breath did Thy design fulfil.
 
My times are in Thy hand,
Thou knowest what is best,
And where I fear to stand,
Thy strength brings succour bless’d.
Thy loving-kindness, as within
A mantle, hides my sin.
Thy mercies are my sure defence,
And for Thy bounteous providence
Thou dost demand no recompense.
 
For all the sons of men
Thou hast a book prepared
Where, without hand or pen,
Their deeds are all declared:
Yet for the pure in heart shall be
A pardon found with Thee.
The life and soul Thou did’st create
Thou hast redeemed from evil strait,
Thou hast not left me desolate.
 
The heavens Thou badest be,
Thy bright, celestial throne,
Are witnesses to Thee,
O Thou the Lord alone!
One, indivisible, Thy name
Upholds creation’s frame.
Thou madest all—the depth, the height—
Thou rulest all in power and might,
Supreme, eternal, infinite!

Abraham Ibn Ezra

translated by Alice Lucas in "The Jewish Year"