Psalm 118 – Generous Praise / Hodayah
Grateful, silent breath of life
Voice your thanks – ki l’olam hasdo
that loving deeds endure.
What say you, yisrael?
Share your seeker’s song – ki l’olam hasdo
that loving deeds endure.
What say you, house of ‘I will sing’?
Play your peacemaker’s song – ki l’olam hasdo
that loving deeds endure.
What say you witnesses of wonder?
Announce amazement to the world – ki l’olam hasdo
that loving deeds endure.
Min hameitzar…When a narrow pharaoh mind
tries to hide what’s true and kind,
Put pride aside, let wonder opens wide the eyes.
When breath and beauty fill me, fear flees.
What can a man to do me? Love’s here to help me
as I, I look, strive to see with eyes emptied of antagonism.
Silence whispers more wisdom
than the most trusted advisors of men.
Silence whispers more assurance
than the most trustworthy benefactors.
Foreign nations surround me, spinning tales,
circling me with names I cannot pronounce.
I’m engulfed by strange syllables I cannot say.
Words swarm ‘round, crackling
like torched thorns throwing sparks
more names that I cannot pronounce.
Words, oppressive, weighing me down
Falling short, still something steadies me.
Ozi…My strength – discerning eyes, and yes
my song – word-free melody
unmuted and triumphant, a voice,
joy and deliverance resounding
in vaulted halls of justice and piety.
Nourishing wondrous love exalted
Nourishing wonder making love
into a life of valor.
I will not die, but live
Make each breath count.
Musar me. Help me embrace this discipline,
tracking actions and implications
measure for measure
that the next breath given
not be taken from me
and given to death.
Pithu li…Undo the deadbolt on the gates of justice.
Through the front or around the back, I’ll let you know now
I am coming in. This is the way.
The gate opens for those demanding justice.
Odecha…I get it now.
A humble response arouses a gratitude
that could save me from myself.
Even maasu…A skipped-over stone sinks not.
The one the builders rejected in haste
Later take its place as the head cornerstone
Each consonant-and-vowel in speech-and-script,
Every particle-and-wave in time-space-and-soul
this is it. Such a wonder to behold.
Zeh hayom…This is the day, each-and-all
Rolled into one, let us be glad and rejoice in it.
Ana Adonai…
I am, we are in need of help we are, I am.
I am, we are in luck we are, I am.
Baruch habah… Welcome.
Blessings of wellbeing upon all who came,
who tuned in to help turn
silent breath into sacred song.
Here we bless thee
home to home
filling with expansive light
adorned anew with offerings,
melodies fresh and green, waving like willows,
creative ways to share thanks and praise
and elevate our ever-present, over-looked connections.
This is good, lastingly, lovingly good …ki l’olam hasdo.