Israel in Russia

THOU art but One! O God to Whom we bow

In adoration;

E’en as in Egypt, Thou wilt hear us now—

Thy Chosen Nation.

Much have we sinned; far from Thy face have fled,

By passion driven.

Deep our repentance; Thou myself hast said

We are forgiven.

Empires of old upon us heaped their chains,

Burthens and lashes;

Thy thunders rolled—and of their might remains

Stubble and ashes!

Still those we taught to hold Thy Name in awe

Smite and berate us;

We are the leash that binds them to Thy Law—

Wherefore they hate us!

Vengeance is Thine! yet Thine is mercy, too.

“Shield us, but grieve them

Not!” be our prayer: “They know not what they do.

Father! forgive them!”