Baruch ben Samuel

“ Afar mine eyes have strayed, and I have erred,
And deaf I made mine ears, their listening quelled;
And righteous is the Lord, for at His word
I sorely have rebelled.
Perverseness have I loved, and wrongful thought,
And hating good, strove righteousness to shun,
And in mine actions foolishness have wrought;
Great evil have I done.
Pardon, I pray Thee, our iniquity,
O God, from Thine high dwelling, and behold
The souls that in affliction weep to Thee—
For lo! I have grown old.
Work for me, I beseech Thee, marvels now,
O Lord of Hosts! in mercy lull our fears ”

“ High in their pride my scorners raise their crest;
They quench my light, they darkly do conceal
My welfare and my rest,
O Lord, my God! all strength doth dwell in Thee,
O hear my voice, as humbly here I bow ”

“ I AM
THE SUPPLIANT
Baruch ben Samuel died in Mayence in 1221. He wrote Talmudical commentarics and works in law, besides many poems for the synagogue. I am the Suppliant is a Selichah recited in the Musaf Service of the Day of Atonement. ”