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I AM THE SUPPLIANT
73

I am the Suppliant

By Baruch ben Samuel


I AM the suppliant for my people here,
Yea, for the House of Israel, I am he;
I seek my God's benign and heedful ear,
For words that rise from me.

Amid the walls of hearts that stand around,
My bitter sighs surge up and mount the sky;
Ah! how my heart doth pant with ceaseless bound
For God, my Rock on high.

With mighty works and wondrous He hath wrought,
Lord of my strength, my God. When me He bade
To make a sanctuary for Him, I sought,
I labored, and 'twas made.