The Psalmist from centuries ago reminds us in this era that Earth is not ours, and it is more urgent than ever that we take care not to destroy her. Hebrew and English interpretation blend with prophetic speech from Rabbi Arthur Waskow, urging us to act with haste in defense of Earth and all who dwell with her. Psalm 24 is sung on holidays and the Shabbat afternoon service; in this era, we should be singing it every day.
lyrics
Psalm 24 – For Earth
Hebrew: Psalms 24
Hebrew Adaptation & English Lyrics: Jessi Roemer, with help from Diana Brewer & Irwin Keller
Music: Jessi Roemer
Speech: Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Passover/Holy Week Speech III
L’Havayah ha’aretz um’lo’ah teivel v’yoshvei vah
Ki hee al yamim yesadatah v’al neharot techonenah
Our Earth and all who dwell with her belong to Yah,
Soil, creatures, canyons all
For she set land on seas and streams
Through rivers run her blood; through forests she breathes
Mi ya’aleh (Who will ascend)
V’har Yah (the mountain face)
Umi yakum (who will stand up)
Bimkom kodsha (in Her holy place)
N’ki chapayim (Those with clean hands)
Uvar levav (and loving heart)
Asher lo nasa (those who will not)
Lashav nafshi (destroy My art)
Zeh dor dorshav, zeh dor dorshav, mevakshei fanecha Yaakov
Zeh dor dorshav, zeh dor dorshav, mevakshei rachmayich Rivka
This whole generation demands to see your face,
Demands to feel your presence, Yaakov
This whole generation demands a better way
To live your compassion, Rivka
Se’u she’arim rasheichem u’sei’u pitchei olam
Se’u she’arim rasheichem v’tavo Ruach hakavod
Mi hee zot Ruach hakavod? HaShechinah Rachmanah
HaShechinah Rachmanah hee Ruach hakavod,
Hee Ruach hakavod, selah
(Open up, O gates, open the pathways to eternity
Open up, O gates, and the Spirit of honor will come
Who is the Spirit of Honor? The compassionate Shechinah
The compassionate Shechinah is the Spirit of honor, that’s who!)
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