“Boże zmiłuj się nad nami” (Psalm 67, “God be merciful unto us”) from Ozar schire jeschurun
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Description
When Jacob Leopold Weiss (1825–1889) arrived in Warsaw in 1860, he was not only expected to perform the duties of chief cantor but was also given the authority to find and train the finest singers for the synagogue choir. Weiss, who later served a Wilno congregation, also composed choral music for his synagogues. “Boże zmiłuj się nad nami” is a setting of Psalm 67, “God be merciful unto us,” in the Polish translation by the celebrated poet Franciszek Karpiński (1741–1825). Cantor Weiss, like his counterparts in Reform synagogues abroad, adopted a choral style that emulated Protestant choral traditions.
Composer
Jacob Leopold Weiss (1825–1889)
Date Composed
1881
Translator
Franciszek Karpiński
Performers
Rutgers Kirkpatrick Choir
Patrick Gardner, Conductor
Paul Conrad, Accompanist
Patrick Gardner, Conductor
Paul Conrad, Accompanist
Printed Score
Translation
| Polish Text | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Boże! Zmiłuj się nad nami, Pobłogosław nam nakoło Patrz na nas twarzą, wesołą, Boże zmiłuj się nad nami Abyśmy kiedyś poznali Na tej ziemi Twoje drogi, Patrząc, jak Boga nad bogi Oddalony naród chwali. Niech Cię wszyscy chwalą z nami Niech się w Tobie wszyscy cieszą, Wprawdzie rządzisz ludzką rzeszą, I ziemskiemi narodami. Miej od wszystkich chwałę Twoją! Ziemia daje rodzaj wszelki; Błogosław nas, Boże wielki! Ziemi cię się końce boją. |
God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; God be merciful unto us. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God! Let all the people praise thee O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously and govern the nations upon earth. Let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. |
Citation
Halina Goldberg and Nancy Sinkoff, ““Boże zmiłuj się nad nami” (Psalm 67, “God be merciful unto us”) from Ozar schire jeschurun,” Soundscapes of Modernity: Jews and Music in Polish Cities, accessed May 20, 2024, https://polishjewishmusic.iu.edu/items/show/12.