Esah Einai
Stephen Freedman Arranged by Stephen T. Martorella(2005); choral arrangement by Robert A.M. Ross(2006)
Performed November 19, 2006
by Stephen Freedman and The Yavneh Ensemble at Temple Sinai, Dresher, PA
Esah Einai Honoring the memory of Samuel Needleman—June 8, 1999
Psalm 121
Esah einai el heharim, mei-ayin yavo ezri? I lift up my eyes to the mountain tops, and ask: “O what is the source of my help?”
Ezri mei-im Adonai, osei shamayim va-aretz. My help, it comes from God above, who makes the heavens and the earth.
Al yitein lamot raglecha, al yanum, al yanum shomrecha.
Hinei lo yanum v’lo yishan shomeir Yisraeil. The Guardian of Israel stands at your side,Your God neither slumbers nor sleeps.
Adonai shomrecha, Adonai tzilcha al yad y’minecha yomam hashemesh lo yakekah, v’yarei-ach balaila.
Adonai yishmorcha mikol ra, yishmor et nafshecha. [The Lord is your guardian; the sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.]
The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your soul. God guards you from harm. God will watch over you for all time.
Adonai yishmor tzeitcha, yishmor tzeitcha uvo-echa mei-atah v’ad olam.