Second Song of Hillel This is a song of praise to the Lord. It calls to mind the might and power of God, the power which created the universe and toppled empires. However, it is a might and power which is manifest too in His mercy, a manifestation of His Love. As such, the Christian should call upon God to deliver men from all forms of evil, trusting in His providence and not despairing. We are delivered not that we may grow comfortable and forget Him, but rather that we may remain in Him. As Christians, conformed to the image of Christ, our hearts must desire that God’s call be wasted on none, so in this then we pray that He sanctifies us and sends us out to do His work in the harvest. Once we have done what little He asks of us, then we can hope only to find ourselves in that rest He desires for us. I chose the name Hillel, meaning “praise” as a reference to the first song. In this first song I began writing, I looked back on God’s providence and realized that even from infancy, the God of Abraham has looked over me. My first word, in Hebrew, was “Hallelujah,” thus I wrote in the song, “In Jacob’s tongue I blessed You.” A fitting beginning for a son of Israel. This is the second song I wrote. Second Song of Hillel May cries of mercy, O Lord,And songs of praisesTaste always sweet on my tongueGushing forth from my lipsLike water from the great fountains of the deep!For You have fashioned the heavensYou have fixed the cycles and seasons of the earthThe heart beats and the lungs suspireNothing escapes Your attentionWith You there is no oversight.By Your great might and powerDeliver from affliction the flesh and breath Of all men upon this earthThat they may rejoice in their Lord and God!O Adonai, You who blessed AbrahamBless us too, that we may remain in YouAs our prayers rise up to the heavens like sweet incenseThe smoke of the resin of mercyHear them and look upon us!Let not a soul be missing from the Great BanquetLet not a single chair be emptyLet all the summoned drink from the chalice of eternal lifeNot a drop to be spilled nor left undrunkTherefore, Beloved God, send us out into the fieldsEnlighten our minds, open our eyes.Cleanse our hearts, use our handsLet our feet tread faithfully and firmly upon the path of righteousnessAnd after, if we have aided You in the Great HarvestAnd proven ourselves faithful servantsIn Your rest, Merciful OneLet us find ourselves.— Hillel Curacion del paralitico Murillo 1670. (2017). Wikipedia. Retrieved February 6, 2023, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Curacion_del_paralitico_Murillo_1670.jpg. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Like this:Like Loading...