When I hunger to praise Thee - Abraham ibn Ezra

When I hunger to praise Thee, I’m sated;

When to worship I thirst, I am drunk.

Then my heart is secure, when I fear Thee

When in terror and awe I am sunk.

When I bow to Thee low, I am lifted;

When I fall in Thy presence, I rise.

I am free when I serve, for Thy name’s sake,

My oppressors who Thy name despise.

All suffering is sweet to my heart,

When I know that My God Thou art.

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Abraham ibn Ezra [Abraham ben Meir Ibn Ezra] (c. 1092 to c. 1167) Spain

Translated by Meyer Waxman

Source: Medieval Hebrew Poetry