Yedid Nefesh, A New Translation
Love, You hold my soul, from You sweet mercy flows, Take me in Your service to serve Your heart’s desire. Let me run to You like deer upon the hills, Joyously to bow, submitting to Your will, Savoring love’s taste which, flowing on my tongue, As sweet as honey’s touch, is that for which I long. The glory of Your love fills my world with light. My soul in endless yearning seeks Your love’s delight Please, dear God, I beg You to grant the cure it needs Grant my soul the pleasure to find that light so sweet. Then, strong and cured by having reached that star, My soul will serve forever the beauty that You are. God of mercy, please, my God for all my life, Have mercy on this child, this child of love’s delight. Let me share the love for which I’ve always burned, The splendor of the passion to which I’ve always turned. Please, God, dear God, please feel my heart’s desire, And do not quench with silence the burning of this fire. Let go Your veil, my love, for us there’s no pretense. Together in Your mantle, we’ll find ourselves content. Light the way in splendor, bring glory to my world, Hear our joyful laughter surround us as we whirl. Wait no more for love, it’s here to have, to hold. Let me share Your favor, till time itself grows old.
Yedid Nefesh, by Rabbi Eleazar Azikri, is sung by many Jewish congregations on Friday night. This translation is an attempt to preserve the passionate, joyous spirit both of the original text and of the service.