Religion
A New Song
Translated by Nina Salaman (1924) · From Selected Poems of Jehudah Halevi (Jewish Publication Society, 1924)
The clay the depths were turned into dry land, A new song sang the. redeemed.
That day Thou wast honoured of the foe, and wast precious unto me,
And didst lay for Thyself a foundation of strength from the mouths of sucklings.
Thou didst sink in deceit the feet of the daughter of the Anamim,
But the steps of the Shulamite were beautiful in sandals.
And all that see me shall sing, when they look upon mine honours
“There is none like the God of Jeshurun”—even though our foes be the judges:
So wilt Thou raise my banners over those that are left,
And gather them that are scattered as though gathering ears of corn.
They that come unto Thee within the covenant of Thy seal,
They that front the birth are consecrated to Thy name—
They show their sign unto all that see them,
And on the corners of their garment they make fringes.
For whom is this one inscribed? Discern now the truth:
Whose are the signet and the threads of blue?—
Ah, turn again to consecrate her, and cast her out no more;
And let the light of her sun arise, and the shadows flee away.
The beloved exalt Thee; with song they come before thee:
“Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the mighty?”
Codex Note
Salaman no. 76. Devotional Poems.
Cite this poem
MLA
Halevi, Judah. “A New Song.” Translated by Nina Salaman. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/judah-halevi/82/.
Chicago
Halevi, Judah. “A New Song.” Translated by Nina Salaman. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/judah-halevi/82/.
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