Psalm 19
A Song for Selichot
It is customary for Jews to begin reciting the Selichot prayer service, a collection of prayers and poems of penitence and repentance, before the High Holidays. Ashkenazi custom is to begin saying Selichot on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, and the Sephardic custom is to begin saying it on the first day of Elul, which is 30 days before Rosh Hashanah.
This is a poem of penitence and repentance for our current time.
My G-d I know that I am weak, My G-d I know that I am frail, My G-d I can no longer speak, For I know that I have failed. I come to You with cries, I come to you with hope, My throat is choked and dry, From the songs it has not spoke. I wish I had fought harder, I wish I had done more, I wish I could go back and do, All the things that I ignored. But now that time is over, So I can only just repent, My G-d I know that I am weak, But will You take me in your tent? My King I know that I have failed, And I can no longer speak, Yet still you bid me sail, Through life’s uncertain seas, Despite my poor travails, You still bring me peace, Oh great G-d of Israel, Do Your mercies ever cease?!