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Home  »  The Standard Book of Jewish Verse  »  A Hymn for the Relief of Israel

Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.

By Canon Jenkins

A Hymn for the Relief of Israel

WHEN Israel’s sons in Egypt groaned,

Beneath the proud oppressor’s yoke,

The God of Love his children owned,

The Lord of Might their bondage broke.

With mighty arm and outstretched hand,

By signs and wonders great and sore,

He led them forth from Egypt’s land,

He gave them rest on Caanan’s shore.

Now spread through far and distant lands,

Yet never lost—enchained, yet free—

To Thee they lift their suppliant hands,

And raise them with their hearts to Thee.

Thy word still lives—that word which taught

The mouth that cursed Thy flock to bless;

That word which their salvation wrought,

That faith which still their lips confess.

O! turn the hearts of those who still

Tread down Thy living sanctuary,

Send forth the mandate of Thy will,

And set Thy chosen people free!