You who knew me before you formed me,
protect me while your breath is in me.
Can I stand firm if you thrust me aside,
or advance if you block my way?

What can I say when my thoughts are in your
hands?  What can I do unless you help me?
Help me?

I turn to you in times of grace
answer me, and your grace will shield me.
Wake me to search out your sanctuary -
wake me to bless your name.

You who knew me before you formed me,
protect me while your breath is in me.
Wake me to search out your sanctuary -
You who knew me,
You who knew me,
You who knew me.

Yehuda HaLevi (c. 1085 or 1086 - sometime after 1140)   Spain

Translated by:  Gabriel Levin
From  Poems From the Diwan  by Yehuda Halevi, translated by Gabriel Levin and published by Anvil, London in 2002