{"collection":"Judaism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/jud/sig/sig47.htm","path":"jud/sig/sig47.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/jud/sig/sig47.htm","text":"Selected Religious Poems of Solomon ibn Gabirol, tr. by Israel Zangwill, [1923]\nLet earth and sea and the Temple\u2019s throng\n \u00a0\u00a0And every highway become exalted,\n The world and all who therein do dwell,\n And every creature of fen and fell,\n \u00a0\u00a0In a melody nevermore halted,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0With forest and meadow and all their yield,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fruit of the woodland and fruit of the field,\n Unite in an ecstasy deep and strong\n \u00a0\u00a0In a rapturous endeavour,\n With a single mouth in a single song,\n Their spheral symphony to prolong,\n \u00a0\u00a0And bless the Lord who is blessed forever.\nThe pundits vainly enquire His source,\n \u00a0\u00a0His secret, the wonder of His foundation.\n Where is His throne, or His light, or His force,\n \u00a0\u00a0And who in His council dares take a station?\n Sublime and hidden beyond our quest,\n His essence unfathomed and unexpressed,\n \u00a0\u00a0Even in sacred song and story,\n This to declare is our sole resource,\n That all the earth in its daily course\n \u00a0\u00a0Overflows with its Maker\u2019s glory.\n This is the reach of our poor endeavour,\n \u00a0\u00a0Then who beside shall by man be blest?\n For He is One on His throne above,\n \u00a0\u00a0And His lonely sway shall be shaken never.\n Then let all creatures in awe and love,\n Man or insect, or serpent or dove,\n \u00a0\u00a0Now bless the Lord who is blessed forever.\nHis bands of ministers gleam and flash\n \u00a0\u00a0Like living coals or with flames for features,\n Squadrons of four-winged cherubim dash,\n \u00a0\u00a0By the steps of His throne are the mystic creatures\n With their chariot-wheels, and at His behest,\n They run in His service with holy zest,\n \u00a0\u00a0All united together run,\n \u00a0\u00a0One in song and in service one,\n Every being of all the blest\n \u00a0\u00a0In a loyalty naught can sever.\n Wherefore sing to Him every breast,\n Tranced in His adoration rest,\n \u00a0\u00a0And bless the Lord who is blessed forever.\nHis domain is established, His Peace secure,\n \u00a0\u00a0On the beams of the earth and the clouds He rides,\n The homesick exile he vows to cure,\n \u00a0\u00a0Who now amid thistle and thorn resides,\n \u00a0\u00a0And the day of redemption in trust abides.\n Yea, the remnant shall yet as a people endure,\n \u00a0\u00a0Regathered, forgiven, when He decides,\n And live as a nation unique and pure,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For when it was chosen and glorified,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Its mission it knew and its task descried,\n \u00a0\u00a0That the love of God be its high endeavour,\n And its purpose His reverence to assure,\n The world to His worship by faith allure,\n \u00a0\u00a0And bless the Lord who is blessed forever.","title":"Selected Religious Poems of Solomon ibn Gabirol: 44. Bene...","type":"page"}