While Israel's footsteps fleet
How beautiful were they!

Jeshurun! all who see
Thy glory cry to thee:
"Who like thy God can be?"
Thus even our foes did say.

Oh! let thy banner soar
The scattered remnant o'er,
And gather them once more
Like corn on harvest-day.

Who bear through all their line
Thy covenant's holy sign,
And to Thy name divine
Are sanctified alway.

Let all the world behold
Their token, prized of old,
Who on their garment's fold
The thread of blue display.

Be then the truth made known
For whom, and whom alone,
The twisted fringe is shown,
The covenant kept this day.

Oh! let them, sanctified,
Once more with Thee abide,
Their sun shine far and wide,
And chase the clouds away.

The well-beloved declare
Thy praise in song and prayer:
"Who can with Thee compare,
O Lord of Hosts?" they say.

When as a wall the sea
In heaps uplifted lay,
A new song unto Thee
Sang the redeemed that day.

JEHUDA HALEVI.

Morning Prayer

O Lord! my life was known to Thee
Ere Thou hadst caused me yet to be,
Thy Spirit ever dwells in me.

Could I, cast down by Thee, have gained
A standing place, or, if restrained
By Thee, go forth with feet unchained?

Hear me, Almighty, while I pray,
My thoughts are in Thy hand alway,
Be to my helplessness a stay!

Oh! may this hour Thy favor yield,
And may I tread life's battle-field
Encompassed by Thy mercy's shield.

Wake me at dawn Thy name to bless,
And in Thy sanctuary's recess
To praise and laud Thy holiness.

JEHUDA HALEVI.

Judgment And Mercy

By the faithful of His children in their conclaves
Shall His name be sanctified,
Awe-inspiring are the praises of His angels,
And the voices in His temple spread His glory
Far and wide.

Those who keep His law shall yet again be gathered
To the stronghold of His might,
Those who fear Him commune, praying, with each other--
He will hear and in the book of their memorial
He will write.

Let your deeds be fair and righteous--then unbroken
He the covenant will hold.
He who maketh bright the heavens, He will heed you
And will count your prayers more precious than the off'rings