Written at Hebrew Fest ’23

O God of my fathers,
Shepherd of my heart;
Giver of mercy,
Thy grace ne’er part.

Thou hast awaken my soul from slumber and false things revered.
Thy voice hearkens the wise.
It booms like thunder until the Redwoods tremble–
The depths break open–
Mountains are brought low and every high thing cowers in Thy presence.

Though the wicked flee their places lay bare.
Thou hast forbidden their counsels–
They fall headlong into their snares.

But the righteous shall find peace.
For even though his eyes be glazed with age,
Thou holdest him up and his foot shall not slip.
Yea, Thou hast established his steps from the beginning.

Pride is a folly that sickens the soul.
It deceives one to reject Thy statutes.
Who can deny Thy greatness and live?
Yea, even Thou who makes all things whole?

Let not Thy Wisdom be far as the clouds.
But let her be near unto me as the dew in morning.
Let her knock at the gates of my heart that I may open unto her.
Let her sit beside me and sing psalms of your glory.
Then shall I be instructed in right living.

Selah.