“How many years more!” I pined each day.
I had heard the elders speak of Jerusalem;
All the feasts and celebrations.
O Jerusalem! How deeply I longed for you.
At long last, Yahweh heard our cry,
Our shackles freed and riches rebuilt.
Like streams of Negev,
The Lord renewed Israel, His chosen.
As I begun to ascend towards Jerusalem,
My heart overcame with gratitude.
I cried out, “Yahweh is faithful!”
His ears were near to my pleas for mercy.
Feasts were celebrated like never before.
The scribes opened the book of the law,
With attentive ears we stood, morning till noon.
With hands lifted and heads bowed,
We worshipped the Lord in Jerusalem.
