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| SINCE we be standing even yet, to be | |
| As ministers before Thee in Thy Name, | |
| And spread our hands out, having naught for Thee | |
| Of that oblation wherewith once we came— | |
| Hear now, O Lord, Thy people’s voice and hold | 5 |
| Their crying for their sacrifice of old. | |
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That He maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as every day shall require. | |
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| All those who watched Thy doors have passed away, | |
| Who guarded for Thy treasury its due; | |
| There is no off’ring and no gift this day, | 10 |
| And still can justice pierce a mountain through, | |
| Yet so shall Jacob’s sin be purged at last, | |
| And his atonement made in this his fast. | |
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| See, for the coin for off’ring faileth now, | |
| The silver of the ransom for my soul; | 15 |
| But wherefore, O my soul, art stricken low? | |
| Nay, bless the Lord and verily extol. | |
| For He will soon repent Him for His own | |
| Judging His people from the eternal throne. | |
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| A day of pardon is appointed us | 20 |
| To make repentance for our souls therein; | |
| Yea, though Thine altar still be empty thus, | |
| Our soul’s affliction pleadeth for our sin. | |
| Of old our fathers trusted in Thy Name, | |
| They trusted, and from Thee redemption came. | 25 |
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| Because the hand was once sent forth to lay | |
| Their dwelling-places low, their cities fair, | |
| No off’ring hath been brought Thee since the day | |
| The sanctuary was wasted and laid bare. | |
| Yet vengeance on His foemen He will take, | 30 |
| And make atonement for His people’s sake. | |
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| For incense brought to Thee, which is no more, | |
| Mine orison shall drop as fragrant spice; | |
| The prayer of the afflicted, burdened sore, | |
| Shall be a handful sweet for sacrifice; | 35 |
| So that he may not perish in the pit, | |
| Nor want for bread nor go forth lacking. | |
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| Keep Thou the portal of my lips, accept | |
| Their gift as that brought once in priestly hand; | |
| Let those who call on stocks or trees be swept | 40 |
| From where my fathers prayed on hallowed land. | |
| Yet, let the Lord to jealousy be moved | |
| For His own land, and pity those He loved. | |
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| Since we be standing even yet, to be | |
| As ministers before Thee in Thy Name, | 45 |
| And spread our hands out, having naught for Thee | |
| Of that oblation wherewith once we came— | |
| Hear now, O Lord, Thy people’s voice, and hold | |
| Their crying for their sacrifice of old. | |
| |
That He maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as every day shall require. | 50 |
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