The Day of Rest

COME, O Sabbath day, and bring

Peace and healing on thy wing,
And to every troubled breast
Speak of the divine behest:
Thou shalt rest!

Earthly longing bid retire,
Guard our passions' hurtful fire;
To the wayward, sin-oppressed,
Bring thou the divine behest;
Thou shalt rest.

Wipe from every cheek the tear:
Banish care, and silence fear;
All things working for the best,
Teach us the divine behest,
Thou shalt rest.

GUSTAV GOTTHEIL,

When Is the Jew in Paradise?

WHEN is the Jew in Paradise,

Unchained from want and care;

When joy wings word of happiness
And peace perfumes the air?
When is the hour his heart is light
And slow he is to grieve?

The Jew has but one Paradise,
And that is Friday eve.

A noble queen, she comes to bless
And bear his cares away.

To every home this Princess comes
And sanctifies the day.

The rich and poor, both old and young,
With gratitude receive

The Sabbath Princess of the Jew,
Their guest of Friday eve.

Who sees her face, Shekinah-like,
He lives a hundred years;
His children's children bless her name
And all that she endears;
Her sacred, silent footsteps pass
Through every heart and leave
A thousand blessings for the joy
She gives on Friday eve.

JOSEPH LEISER.

Sabbath Thoughts

I BLESS Thee, Father, for the grace
Thou me this day hast given,
Strengthening my soul to seek Thy face,
And list the theme of heaven.

I bless Thee that each work-day care
Thy love hath lull'd to rest,

And every thought whose wing has prayer
Thine answering word hath blest.

I bless Thee, Father! Those dark fears.
That linger'd round my heart,

That called for murmurs, doubts and tears,
Thy mercy bade depart.

O Thou alone couldst send them hence
On this blessed day of peace,

And with Thy spirit's pure incense

Bid work-day turmoil cease.

GRACE AGUILAR.

God of the World

(A Sabbath Hymn)

GOD of the World, eternity's sole Lord!
King over kings, be now thy Name adored!
Blessed are we to whom thou dost accord

This gladsome time thy wondrous ways to scan!

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!
Early and late to thee our praises ring,

Giver of life to every living thing!

Beasts of the field, and birds that heavenward wing, Angelic hosts and all sons of man!

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!
Though we on earth a thousand years should dwell,
Too brief the space, thy marvels forth to tell.
Pride thou didst lower, all the weak who fell
Thy hand raised up e'er since the world began!

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!
Thine is the power, thine the glory be!
When lions rage, Ọ deign thy flock to free!
Thine exiled sons O take once more to thee,
Choose them again as in thine ancient plan!

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!
Turn to thy city, Zion's sacred shrine!
On yon fair mount again let beauty shine!
There, happy throngs their voices shall combine,
There, present joy all former ill shall ban!

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!
King over kings, be now thy Name adored!

ISRAEL NAGARA. (Translated by Israel Abrahams.)

A Sabbath of Rest

(A Sabbath Hymn)

HIS day is for Israel light and rejoicing,

THIS

A Sabbath of rest.

Thou badest us standing assembled at Sinai

That all the years through we should keep thy behest

To set out a table full-laden, to honor

The Sabbath of rest.

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing,
A Sabbath of rest.

Treasure of heart for the broken people,

Gift of new soul for the souls distrest, Soother of sighs for the prisoned spiritThe Sabbath of rest.

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing,

A Sabbath of rest.

When the work of the worlds in their wonder was finished,

Thou madest this day to be holy and blest,

And those heavy-laden find safety and stillness,
A Sabbath of rest.

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing,
A Sabbath of rest.

If I keep Thy command I inherit a kingdom,

If I treasure the Sabbath I bring Thee the bestThe noblest of offerings, the sweetest of incense→→ A Sabbath of rest.

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing,

A Sabbath of rest.

Restore us our shrine-O remember our ruin
And save now and comfort the sorely opprest

Now sitting at Sabbath, all singing and praising
The Sabbath of rest.

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing,

A Sabbath of rest.

Attributed to ISAAC LURIA.

(Translated by Nina Davis.)

Hymn for the Conclusion of the Sabbath

WAY He who sets the holy and profane

MAY

Apart, blot out our sins before His sight,

And make our numbers as the sand again,
And as the stars of night.

The day declineth like the palm-tree's shade,
I call on God, who leadeth me aright,
The morning cometh-thus the watchman said-
Although it now be night.

Thy righteousness is like Mount Tabor vast;
O let my sins be wholly put to flight,
Be they as yesterday, forever past,

And as a watch at night.

The peaceful season of my prayers is o'er,
Would that again had rest my soul contrite,
Weary am I of groaning evermore,

I melt in tears each night.

Hear Thou my voice: be it not vainly sped,
Open to me the gates of lofty height;
For with the evening dew is filled my head,
My locks with drops of night.

O grant me Thy redemption, while I pray,
Be Thou entreated, Lord of power and might,

In twilight, in the evening of the day,

Yea, in the gloom of night.