day

appears 59 times in 36 song(s)

day

appears 59 times in 36 song(s)
17

Eastertide Preface

The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
It is right and just.
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
at all times to acclaim you, O Lord,
but on this night / on this day / in this time
above all
to laud you yet more gloriously,
when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.
For he is the true Lamb
who has taken away the sins of the world;
by dying, he has destroyed our death,
and by rising, restored our life!
By dying, he’s destroyed our death,
by rising, he restored our life!
By dying, he’s destroyed our death,
by rising, he restored our life!
Therefore, overcome with paschal joy,
every land, every people exults in your praise
and even the heavenly Powers,
with the angelic hosts,
sing, sing, the unending hymn of your glory,
as they acclaim:
Holy, holy, holy…
23

Day of immense joy (Hymn for Lauds of Pentecost)

Day of immense joy
in the city of God;
may the flame of the Spirit
shine in the Cenacle.
The wondrous gift of the prophets
is renewed on this day
and a mystic rapture
touches tongues and hearts.
Day of immense joy…
O blessed season
of the new-born Church,
who welcomes in her womb
the first fruits of the nations.
Day of immense joy…
This is the jubilee
of the fiftieth year
that ransoms the slave
and proclaims forgiveness.
Day of immense joy…
Send upon us, O Lord,
the gift of your Spirit;
grant to this restless world
justice and peace.
Day of immense joy…
Light of eternal wisdom,
reveal to us the mystery
of the one and threefold God,
fountain of eternal love.
Amen.
27

On the eighth day (Hymn for Lauds of Sunday)

On the eighth day dawns
the age of the new world,
consecrated by Christ,
first fruits of the risen.
O Jesus, king of glory,
unite your faithful people
to the paschal triumph
over evil and death.
Grant that one day we may come
to meet you, O Lord,
on the clouds of heaven
in the Kingdom of the blessed.
Transformed into your image,
we shall see your face
and there will be fullness of joy,
for ever and ever. Amen.
27

Flee, shadows and darkness (Hymn for Lauds)

Flee, shadows and darkness,
the light of day shines forth,
Christ the Lord is coming.
The sun of justice
transfigures and inflames
the waiting universe.
With pure and humble joy,
amid songs and prayers,
we welcome the Lord.
You, Saviour of the poor,
let the glory of your face
shine on a new world.
Praise to you, O Christ,
with the Father and the Spirit,
now and forever.
Amen.
28

O first and last day (Hymn for Lauds of Sunday)

O first and last day,
day of Christ’s triumph,
radiant and splendid!
Christ, the risen Lord,
proclaims throughout the ages
the edict of peace.
Peace between heaven and earth,
peace among the peoples,
peace in our hearts.
May the paschal alleluia
resound throughout the Church,
pilgrim in the world,
united to the joyful
and everlasting praise
of the assembly of saints!
To you glory, O Christ,
to you power and honour
for ever and ever. Amen.
29

The Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again, he rose again from the dead,
he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
30

Our Father

Abba, Abba, Father!
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
30

Te Deum

We praise you, O God,
we proclaim you as Lord,
O Eternal Father,
all the earth adores you.
To you sing the angels
and all the powers of heaven,
holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, holy,
Lord God of the Universe!
Heaven and earth
are full of your glory.
The choir of apostles acclaims you
and the white-robed army of martyrs.
The voices of the prophets unite in your praise,
the holy Church proclaims your glory,
adoring your only Son,
and the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
O Christ, king of glory,
eternal Son of the Father,
you were born of the Virgin Mother
for the salvation of man.
Victorious over death,
you opened to the faithful the kingdom of Heaven.
You sit at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
You will come to judge the world at the end of time.
Help your servants, O Lord,
redeemed by your precious blood.
May we be numbered with your saints
in everlasting glory.
Save your people, O Lord,
guide and protect your children.
Day by day we bless you,
we praise your name for ever.
Grant today, O Lord,
to keep us free from sin.
May your mercy be ever with us:
in you have we hoped.
Have mercy on us, O Lord,
have mercy on us.
You are our hope,
may we never be confounded.
39

Give thanks to the Lord

Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia!
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his love is everlasting.
He alone does great marvels.
Give thanks to the Lord, alleluia…
He made the heavens with wisdom,
for his love is everlasting.
He set the earth firmly on the waters. *
He created the great lights in the heavens,
for his love is everlasting,
the sun to rule the day and the moon the night. *
He struck down the first born of Egypt,
for his love is everlasting.
And he brought out his people, Israel.*
He opened a way through the sea,
for his love is everlasting.
And he led his people through the waters. *
He drowned Pharaoh and his army,
for his love is everlasting.
And he led his people through the desert. *
He gave us according to his promise,
for his love is everlasting,
a land flowing with milk and honey. *
He is with us in our anguish,
for his love is everlasting.
And he frees us from our oppressors. *
He provides for all living creatures,
for his love is everlasting.
Give thanks to the Lord of Heaven. *
Give thanks to the Lord…
41

Canticle of Daniel (Part 2)

All you works of the Lord
O bless the Lord!
To him…
be highest glory and praise for evermore!
Angels of the Lord *
Heavens of the Lord
All waters above the heavens *
All armies of the Lord*
Sun and moon
Stars of heaven *
Showers and rain
All breezes and winds *
Fire and heat *
Cold and heat *
Showers and dew *
Frosts and cold *
Ice and snow *
Night and day
Darkness and light *
Lightning and clouds
O let the earth bless the Lord – to him…
be highest glory and praise for evermore!
Mountains and hills
All plants of the earth
Fountains and springs *
Rivers and seas *
Sea-monsters and all that moves in the waters *
Every bird in the sky *
Wild beasts and tame *
Children of men *
O Israel, bless the Lord – to him…
be highest glory and praise for evermore.
Priests of the Lord *
Servants of the Lord *
Spirits and souls of the just *
Holy and humble of heart *
Ananias, Azarias, Mizael *
To him…
be highest glory and praise for evermore.
Let us praise the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
To you be highest glory and praise for ever!
May you be blessed, O Lord, in the heavens.
To you be highest glory and praise for ever!
O bless the Lord.
44

The Lord is my light and my salvation

The Lord is my light and my salvation:
whom need I fear?
The Lord is the fortress of my life:
of whom shall I be afraid?
I am sure I shall see
your goodness, O Lord.
Wait for the Lord, take courage,
wait for the Lord, take courage,
wait for the Lord, take courage,
wait for the Lord.
One thing I ask of the Lord,
only one thing I seek:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
I am sure I shall see…
The Lord hides me in His shelter
in times of trouble.
The Lord stretches out His hand to me;
I shall walk in safety.
I am sure I shall see…
47

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my Saviour.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my Saviour.
From this day all generations
will call me blessed.
From this day all generations
will call me blessed.
For the Almighty has done great things for me,
and his name is holy.
For the Almighty has done great things for me,
and his name is holy.
He shows the power of his arm,
he routs the proud of heart.
He shows the power of his arm,
he routs the proud of heart.
The mighty he casts down from their thrones,
and exalts the lowly.
The hungry he fills with good things,
and the rich he sends empty away.
He helps his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy.
He helps his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy.
According to the promise he made to Abraham,
and to all his sons forever.
According to the promise he made to Abraham,
and to all his sons forever.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my Saviour.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my Saviour.
50

Benedictus

Blessed be the Lord,
the God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people,
raising up for us a power of salvation
in the house of his servant David.
According to the promise made from ancient times,
through the mouths of his holy prophets,
that he would save us from our enemies
and from the hands of all those who hate us.
Fulfilling in this way the mercy
he had with our fathers,
remembering his holy Covenant,
and the oath he swore to our father, Abraham,
that he would set us free from fear
to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,
to serve him in holiness and virtue
in his presence all our days.
Blessed be the Lord...
And you, little child,
you shall be called Prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare a way for him,
announcing to his people salvation
and forgiveness of their sins.
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
a sun, rising from on high, will visit us,
to give light to those who live in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Blessed be the Lord…
55

Abraham

It was a very hot day
when Abraham
was sitting by the entrance of his tent.
It was a very hot day
when Abraham
was sitting by the Oak of Mamre.
He looked up and there he saw
three men standing near him;
they stood in front of him.
As soon as he saw them
he bowed to the ground and said:
”O my Lord,
don't pass by, I beg you,
without stopping!”
”Without stopping,
don't pass by, I beg you,
without stopping,
without stopping.”
”I'll bring you a little water,
you'll wash your feet
and lie down under the tree.
I'll bring you a little bread,
you'll refresh yourselves
before going further.
Not by chance
have you passed today
near me.”
”O my Lord,
don't pass by, I beg you,
without stopping,
without stopping!
Without stopping,
don't pass by, I beg you,
without stopping,
without stopping!”
67

I lift up my eyes to the mountains

I lift up my eyes to the mountains:
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot stumble,
your keeper does not sleep;
he does not sleep nor slumber,
the guardian of Israel.
I lift up my eyes…
The Lord is your guard and your shade,
he stands at your right hand;
by day the sun shall not smite you,
nor the moon by night.
I lift up my eyes…
The Lord keeps you from all evil,
he guards your life.
The Lord watches over you,
he guards your going and coming.
The Lord watches over you,
now and forever.
I lift up my eyes…
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
68

If today you listen to his voice

If today you listen to his voice,
do not harden your hearts.
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord,
acclaiming the rock who saves us.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving,
acclaiming him with psalms and songs.
If today…
A mighty God is the Lord,
a great king above all gods.
In his hands are the depths of the earth,
the sea belongs to him, so does the land.
If today…
Come let us bow low before him,
and kneel before the Lord
who made us.
For he is our God and we are his people;
the people that he pastures,
the flock that he guides.
If today…
If only, if only
you would listen to his voice today and not harden your hearts
as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert,
when your fathers tested me,
when they tried me
though they had seen my deeds.
For forty years I was wearied of that generation
and I said: "They are a people with a crooked heart,
they don't know my ways,
they shall not enter my rest."
If today…
70

Dayenù

How many good things has the Almighty showered on us!
How many good things has the Almighty showered on us!
How many good things has the Almighty showered on us!
If Christ had taken us out of Egypt,
but without bringing judgement on Pharaoh,
this would have been good enough, good enough,
Dayenu, dayenu, dayenu!
If he had brought judgement on Pharaoh,
but without liberating us from all idols… *
If he had liberated us from all idols,
but without giving us their riches…
If he had given us their riches,
but without opening the sea for us…
If he had opened the sea for us,
but without drowning our oppressors…
If he had drowned our oppressors,
but without giving us a way across the desert.
If he had given us a way across the desert,
but without feeding us with the bread of life…
If he had fed us with the bread of life,
but without giving us the day of the Lord…
If he had given us the day of the Lord,
but without giving us the New Covenant…
If he had given us the New Covenant,
but without bringing us into his Church…
If he had brought us into his Church,
but without building in us his temple…
If he had built in us his holy temple,
but without filling it with the Holy Spirit …
So much more must we give thanks to the Lord!
So much more must we give thanks to the Lord!
So much more must we give thanks to the Lord!
Who has brought us out of Egypt…
Who has brought judgement on Pharaoh…
Who has freed us from all our oppressors…
Who has given us all their riches…
Who has opened the sea for us…
Who has drowned our oppressors…
Who has given us a way across the desert…
Who has nourished us with the bread of life…
Who has given us the day of the Lord…
Who has given to us the New Covenant…
Who has brought us into his Church…
Who has built in us his temple…
And has filled it with his Holy Spirit,
through forgiveness of sins!
Christ our Passover is risen for us!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
This would have been enough…
80

As a doe yearns for running streams

As a doe yearns for running streams,
so my soul is thirsting for you, my God,
My soul is thirsting for God, for the living God,
when shall I see the face of God?
Tears are my food day and night,
while my enemies say to me all day long:
"Where is your God? Where is your God?
Where is your God?"
My soul is filled with sadness
when I remember
how I used to walk
in the midst of a people rejoicing.
Why are you downcast my soul,
why do you sigh within me?
Hope in God, hope in God,
and you will praise him again.
Because he, he is my salvation.
He is my God, he is my God.
Hope in God, hope in God,
hope in God, hope in God,
and you will praise him again.
How many times have I said to God, my rock:
"Why have you forsaken me? "
Why do I walk
sadly oppressed by my enemies?
My bones are crushed
from hearing all day long:
"Where is your God?
Where is your God?"
Lord, send your light and your truth:
let them lead me to your holy temple,
then I will be able to sing to you a song of feast,
a song of joy on my guitar.
Why are you downcast my soul…
84

I shall not die, but I shall live

I shall not die
but I shall live
to proclaim
the deeds of the Lord.
He has punished me,
he has punished me,
but he
has not abandoned me to death.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
Let Israel say that he is good,
his love is everlasting.
Let the house of Aaron say:
"His love is everlasting."
Let those who fear the Lord say:
"His love is everlasting."
In my anguish I cried to the Lord,
he answered and saved me.
The Lord is at my side, I do not fear;
what can man do against me?
The Lord is with me, he is my helper;
I shall defy my foes.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in men.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in the powerful.
They surrounded me,
they surrounded me,
but in the name of the Lord
I overcame them.
I was pressed,
I was pressed,
but in the name of the Lord
I overcame them.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but in the name of the Lord I overcame them.
They blazed like a fire among thorns,
but in the name of the Lord I overcame them.
My strength and my song is the Lord;
he has been my salvation.
There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the just.
The Lord's right hand is raised up
and has worked marvels for us.
I shall not die
but I shall live…
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gateway of the Lord
through which the just will enter.
I thank you for you have answered me;
you have been my salvation.
The stone rejected by the builders
has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord;
a marvel in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and exult in it.
I shall not die
but I shall live…
O Lord, grant us salvation!
O Lord, grant us success!
Blessed, in the name of the Lord,
blessed is he who comes.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
the Lord God is our light.
Go forward in procession with branches,
even to the altar.
You are my God, I thank you,
my God, I praise you.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his love is everlasting.
88

The people that walked in darkness

The people that walked in darkness
has seen a great light.
On those who walked in a land of darkness
a great light has shone.
You have made their gladness greater,
you have made their joy increase:
they rejoiced in your presence
as they rejoice at harvest time,
as they rejoice when they divide the spoils.
And dominion will be upon his shoulders,
and his name will be, and his name will be:
wonderful, wonderful counsellor,
mighty God, eternal Father;
Prince of peace,
Prince of peace.
The yoke that was weighing on the people,
the yoke that weighed on their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressors,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
Every boot of the trampling warrior,
every garment soaked in blood
will be burnt and consumed by fire,
for a child is born for us,
a Son has been given to us.
And dominion will be upon his shoulders…
90

Before the angels

Before the angels to you I want to sing,
before the angels I want to sing psalms;
I give thanks to your Name,
for your faithfulness and your love.
I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart,
because your promise has surpassed your fame.
On the day I cried to you, you answered me,
you gave strength and vigour to my soul.
Before the angels…
All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
when they hear the words of your mouth.
And singing on the way of the Lord,
they will say: "How great is your love."
Before the angels…
The Lord is sublime and looks upon the humble.
He knows the proud man and looks on him from afar.
When I walk in affliction,
you stretch out your hand, your right hand saves me.
Before the angels…
The Lord will complete in me what he has started,
for his love is great and everlasting.
He does not abandon the work of his hands:
"O Lord, do not abandon us!"
Before the angels...
94

How lovely are your dwelling places

How lovely are your dwelling places, O Lord,
Lord of Hosts!
My soul longs and yearns
for the courts of the Lord.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
the swallow its nest
near your altars, O Lord,
my King and my God,
my King and my God.
Happy is he who lives in your house,
ever singing your praise,
ever singing your praise.
Happy is he who finds in you the strength
and decides in his heart
to make the holy journey.
Passing through the valley of weeping,
he changes it into a spring;
his strength grows along the way,
till he arrives in Zion, till he arrives in Zion.
For me a day in your courts
is worth more
than a thousand elsewhere.
To dwell at the gate of your house
is better than to live in the palaces of the mighty.
Passing through the valley of weeping…
For me a day in your courts …
95

Day of rest

If anyone keeps my word,
he will never taste death.
You are the only One, the only One with joy,
who is like the Lord?
Crown of salvation:
Memorial of joy.
Day of rest and holiness
you’ve given to your people.
Abraham saw this day
and in Isaac he rejoiced.
Jacob and his sons
rested on this day.
Jacob and his sons
rested on this day.
Day of rest and holiness
you’ve given to your people.
98

I love the Lord

I love the Lord for he listens
to the cry of my appeal,
for he turned his ear to me
on the day when I called him.
They surrounded me, the snares of death,
the bonds of Sheol held me fast,
they caught me, sorrow and distress,
I called on the name of the Lord:
"O Lord, my God, deliver me."
Return, my soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has been good to you;
He has rescued you from death
and kept your feet from stumbling.
He has rescued you from death
and kept your feet from stumbling.
I had faith even when I said:
"I am sorely afflicted,"
and when I said in my alarm
"No man can be trusted."
How can I repay the Lord,
for all his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise,
invoking the name of the Lord:
"O Lord, my God, deliver me."
Return, my soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has been good to you;
he has rescued you from death
and kept your feet from stumbling.
He has rescued you from death
and kept your feet from stumbling.
105

I have admitted to you my sin

I have admitted to you my sin,
I have no longer concealed my guilt;
I said:
"I will confess to the Lord my faults;"
and you have pardoned the malice of my sin.
That’s why the faithful man prays to you
in times of anguish;
when great waters come rushing down
they will never reach him.
I have admitted…
Happy is the man,
whose fault is forgiven,
and whose sin is pardoned!
Happy is the man
to whom God imputes no evil,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
I have admitted…
I kept silent and my bones were wasting away,
while I groaned all the day long;
day and night your hand weighed upon me
and, like a summer drought, my strength was drying up.
But I have admitted to you my sin,
I have no longer concealed my guilt;
I said: "I will confess to the Lord my faults;"
and you have pardoned the malice of my sin.
I have admitted…
116

Happy the man

Happy the man who follows not the counsel of the impious,
nor lingers in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of scorners.
But whose delight is the Word of the Lord,
whose Word he murmurs day and night.
He will be like a tree planted beside flowing waters.
He will be like a tree planted beside flowing waters.
That bears fruit in due season,
and its leaves shall never fall;
everything he undertakes will succeed,
all his works will flourish
Not so the impious, not so;
who are like chaff blown away by the wind.
At the judgement the impious will not stand,
nor sinners in the community of saints.
For the Lord watches over the way of his faithful,
but the way of the impious leads to doom, leads to doom.
Happy the man…
But whose delight…
123

A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse

A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse,
a scion from his roots;
upon him rests the spirit of the Lord,
Spirit of wisdom and of intelligence,
Spirit of counsel and of strength,
Spirit of knowledge and of piety,
Spirit of the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by hearsay,
but he will help all the oppressed.
His word will be a rod for the violent
and with the breath of his mouth he will kill the wicked.
The wolf will dwell with the lamb,
the panther will lie down with the kid,
the lion and the calf will pasture together,
and a little child will guide them,
and a little child will guide them.
A shoot springs…
The cow and the bear will stay together,
the lion will eat straw like the ox,
the infant will play over the lair of the viper,
the child will put his hand into the den of poisonous snakes;
no more evil will be done.
Because the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth.
Because the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth.
Because on that day the root of Jesse,
will be raised as a standard for the peoples
and the nations will follow him with eagerness.
On that day the Lord will stretch out His hand.
And a road will be opened,
a way for the nations,
that the Virgin will show.
A shoot springs…
136

Hide me in the depths of your tent

Hide me
in the depths of your tent,
set me high
on a rock.
The Lord is my light and my salvation:
whom need I fear?
The Lord is the fortress of my life:
of whom should I be afraid?
Hide me…
When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall.
Hide me…
Even if an army encamped against me,
my heart would not be afraid;
though war were waged against me,
my trust would still be firm.
Hide me…
One thing I ask of the Lord,
only one thing I seek:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
Hide me…
The Lord hides me under his shelter
in times of trouble.
The Lord stretches out his hand to me,
I shall walk in safety.
Hide me…
Hear O Lord my voice when I call to you;
have mercy on me and be attentive.
I seek your face, O Lord,
do not hide your face from me.
Hide me…
139

He is not here

After the Sabbath,
at dawn on the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalen and the other Mary
went to the tomb;
and there was a great earthquake;
an angel of the Lord, descended from heaven,
rolled away the stone and said to the women:
do not be afraid,
I know you are looking for Jesus,
who was crucified.
He is not here, he has risen,
he is not here, he has risen,
he is not here, he has risen!
Go quickly and tell his disciples:
he has risen from the dead,
he has risen from the dead,
and now he is going before you to Galilee!
He is not here, he has risen…
Go quickly and tell his disciples:
he has risen from the dead,
and now he is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him.
He is not here, he has risen…
203

Listen to me, remotest islands (The kings shall)

Listen to me, remotest islands, all the nations,
thus speaks the Lord, the Holy One of Israel
to him whose life is despised,
whom the nations loathe,
to the slave of the oppressors:
"The kings shall see you, they will stand up,
the princes of the earth
they will bow down,
I have chosen you, I’ve chosen you."
At the time of favour I will hear you,
on the day of salvation I will help you,
I have set you as a Covenant for the peoples.”
"The kings shall see you…
"You will say to prisoners: 'Come out!;'
you will say to the blind: 'See!;'
you will guide the peoples to the waters of life."
"The kings shall see you…
But Zion says:
"The Lord has abandoned me,
the Lord has forgotten me."
"Can a mother forget
the baby at her breast?
Or fail to cherish
the son of her womb?
Even if a mother
forget her baby
I will not forget you.
Look at me, I have branded you
on the palms of my hands.
Look at me, I have branded you
on the palms of my hands."
"The kings shall see you…
205

Deborah

When Israel gathers the assembly,
when the people offer themselves as volunteers:
Bless the Lord, bless the Lord,
bless the Lord, to the Lord I want to sing.
Awake, Deborah,
awake, Deborah,
strike up the song!
Awake, Deborah,
awake, Deborah,
arise Barak!
In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath,
in the days of Jael,
there were no caravans,
no one could walk the streets,
since Israel had gone after other gods
and war was at the gates.
No warrior could be found in Israel,
not one lance could be found among ten thousand men.
Bless the Lord…
When you came out of Seir, O Lord my God,
when you advanced over the fields of Edom,
the earth trembled, heaven shook,
the clouds dissolved into water,
before you the mountains melted,
before you, O God of Israel.
From heaven above the stars came out to fight.
From heaven above the stars came out to fight.
From heaven above they fought against Sisera.
From heaven above they fought against Sisera.
The Kishon torrent, the sacred torrent swept them away.
Bless the Lord…
208

Who is this who comes from Edom?

Who is this who comes from Edom?
Who is this
who advances, his garments dyed in red,
magnificent in his apparel,
he walks full of strength?
It is I, it is I, who speak with justice:
it is I, a great liberator.
And why,
why are your garments red?
And why are they
as if you had trodden the winepress?
Why, why?
In the winepress, in the winepress,
I have trodden alone;
of my people, no one was with me.
I looked, I looked, there was no one to help me,
I was appalled: there was no one to sustain me.
Then, my own arm saved me,
my strength, my strength sustained me:
the day of vengeance had arrived.
I trod, I trod upon the peoples,
and made the earth run with their blood,
all my garments were stained.
Who is this who comes from Edom?
Who is this
who advances, his garments dyed in red,
magnificent in his apparel,
he walks full of strength?
214

Eli, Eli, lama, sabachthani

Elí, Elí, lamá sabachtháni?
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
How far I feel you from my lamentation;
I call on you by day and you do not answer,
I call by night and there is no rest for me.
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?…
Yet you are the Holy One,
you dwell in the praises of my people;
in you my fathers have hoped,
they hoped in you and you have freed them;
they cried to you and they were saved,
they hoped in you and did not remain disappointed.
Then me? Why don’t you help me?
Perhaps I am not a man? Look, I am a worm!
Disgraced among men! Rejection of my people!
All those who see me curl their lips,
they mock me, shake their heads and say:
"He trusted in the Lord,
let him rescue him if he loves him so much."
Yes, you love me, yes, you cherish me!
You drew me out of my mother’s womb,
at my birth you picked me up,
from my mother’s womb you have been my God,
when I was being born I entrusted myself to you.
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?…
Do not be far from me;
look! anguish is near and no one helps me.
Many bullocks surround me,
bulls of Bashan besiege me,
against me they open wide their mouths,
like a lion raging and roaring.
I am dirty water which is thrown away,
all my bones are racked;
my heart is like wax,
melting away within my bosom;
dry as a pot-shard is my palate,
my tongue is stuck to my throat,
you have thrown me in the dust of death.
Eli…
A pack of dogs surrounds me,
a gang of evildoers besieges me;
they have pierced my hands and my feet,
I can count all my bones.
They stare at me, they observe me,
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothes they cast lots.
But you, Lord, do not stay far away! –
my strength, my strength, run to my help!
Save me from the sword,
from the claws of the dogs, save my life,
save me, save me from the mouth of the lion,
and from the horns of the bulls!
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?…
I will announce your name to my brothers,
I will praise you in the midst of the assembly:
I will say: Praise the Lord you who fear him,
sing to the Lord, descendants of Jacob!
let the race of Israel give him glory;
because he was not disgusted with this poor man,
the only one who was not scandalised at me.
He did not despise this wretched man,
he did not hide his face from him,
but at his cry for help he answered him,
at his cry he heard him.
Eli…
Now I know that the poor will be saved,
that everyone who looks for you will find you,
that their hearts, their hearts will live,
will live forever, will live eternally.
All the ends of the earth will return to the Lord,
all the families of nations shall bow down before him.
Because the kingdom, the kingdom is the Lord’s;
he is the ruler of all the nations,
all those who prosper on the earth will bow down before him,
to him will bow all those who go down to the dust.
And I, I will live, will live for him,
my descendants shall serve him.
The Lord will be spoken of to the coming generations,
they will announce to them what he has done for me;
to the people yet to be born they will say: "Behold the work of the Lord."
264

Like men sentenced to death

To this day we suffer hunger,
we suffer thirst and nakedness.
To this day we suffer hunger,
we suffer thirst and nakedness.
We are persecuted and we go wandering.
We are persecuted and we go wandering.
Insulted, we bless;
beaten, we endure.
When we are slandered,
we answer with love.
When we are slandered,
we answer with love.
We have become,
we have become,
we have become,
the scum of the earth,
and the rejected of the world.
For I think,
that to us
apostles,
God has allotted
the last place.
Like men sentenced to death,
like men sentenced to death,
like men sentenced to death,
like men sentenced to death.
Held up
as a spectacle
before the world,
before the angels,
before mankind,
before mankind.
Like men sentenced to death…
We have become…
289

You have seduced me, Lord

You have seduced me, Lord,
and I let myself be seduced.
You wrestled with me and you defeated me,
You ve taken me by force and have prevailed!
When I speak I have to shout:
"Violence! Oppression!"
And so your word
has brought me insult and derision.
I said to myself:
"I will think of him no more,
I will not speak any more in his name."
But in my heart there was a burning fire
that was raging in my bones.
But in my heart there was a burning fire
that was raging in my bones.
Cursed be the day I was born;
cursed be the man
who brought the news to my father:
"A son is born to you."
Why did I come out of my mother’s womb
only to see torment and sorrow?
But the Lord is at my side
like a brave and mighty warrior.
But the Lord is at my side
like a brave and mighty warrior.
Sing hymns to the Lord,
praise the Lord,
for he has freed the life of this poor man.
But the Lord is at my side…
291

The sermon on the mount

Lifting up his eyes to his disciples, Jesus said:
Happy are you poor
for yours is the Kingdom of God.
Happy are you that now are hungry
for you shall be filled.
Happy are you that now are weeping
for you shall laugh.
Happy are you when men hate you and insult you
on account of the Son of Man,
rejoice on that day,
for your reward shall be great in heaven.
But woe to you that now are rich
for you already have your consolation.
Woe to you that now are full
for you shall go hungry.
Woe to you that now are laughing
for you shall mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
so they spoke of the false prophets.
But to you who are listening I say:
love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you,
pray for those who ill-treat you.
To him who slaps you on one cheek
offer the other one as well.
To him who takes away your cloak,
do not refuse your tunic.
Give to every one who asks you
and from him who takes your goods do not ask for their return.
Do not judge.
Do not condemn.
Forgive.
And you will be forgiven.
Love your enemies…
Do not judge…