REJOICE, ISRAEL

Rejoice, Israel: behold your Saviour comes!

Of a Virgin shall He be born, Emmanuel.

Shepherd of Israel, listen to our plea,

You who lead your people to the pasture.

You who are seated above the Cherubim,

Rouse your strength and come to save your people.

Will you in anger still turn away from us?

Will you spurn the pleadings of your people?

Long have we eaten the tasteless bread of tears,

You have made us drink the gall of bitterness.

See how our neighbours now look on us with scorn

And with railing laughter they deride us.

O Lord most powerful, O Saviour, come to us,

In your mercy deal with us with tenderness.

You brought a vine out of Egypt long ago

And to plant it drove out the nations.

Its branches spread to the river all the way,

Reaching every corner of the Kingdom.

Why then, O Lord, should its walls now be destroyed

So that its fruit can be plucked by the passers by?

O Lord most powerful, O come and save your vine,

Let it feel the greatness of your mighty power.

Never more, Inrd, shall we from your care depart,

We will sing your praises and your glory.