He Shall be King!

by Eleazar ben Kallir

English version by T. Carmi
Original Language Hebrew

Yours, O Lord, is the sovereignty and You are exalted over all.

A king who says to the sea: 'Thus far shall you come' --
          He shall be king!
A king of abomination, who comes from a stinking drop and goes no further than the grave --
          why should he be king?

A king who builds his upper chambers and the chariot-throne in the heavens --
          He shall be king!
A king who returns to the dust like an expiring candle --
          why should he be king?

A king who redeems from harm all those who trust in him --
          He shall be king!
A king who flees like a driven leaf because of his heart's dread --
          why should he be king?

A king distinguished among ten thousand, who brings forth thousands and tens of thousands of angels --
          He shall be king!
A king who fears, dreads, and is terrified at the judgment of his Master --
          why should he be king?

A king Who every was and shall be, in His grace and His bounty --
          He shall be king!

-- from The Penguin Book of Hebrew Verse, Edited by T. Carmi

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He Shall be King!