Baruch 5 – Kate Bluett

A voice is crying in the desert:
“Make straight the path! Prepare the way,
that children may return from exile
and those in darkness see the day.

“The frail and foolish shall not falter;
the strong shall not oppress the weak,
but all come streaming to the altar
where kings bow down before the meek.”

But God it was made these rough places,
with plumb and line laid out the earth.
He comes, remaking this creation,
preparing hearts to know his birth.

And lo! The mountains bow to greet him;
the valleys rise to offer praise.
They know our God has come to meet us,
and all the earth shall see his face.

The narrow way grows wide and even
and shaded o'er by every tree.
No heights now block the way between us;
no gorges gape before our feet.

Then let us go along his highway
with all who come from east and west.
A light is breaking forth to guide us
into the pastures of his rest.

Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
   look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
   at the word of the Holy One,
   rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
   but God will bring them back to you
   borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
   that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
   be filled to level ground,
   that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
Baruch 5:1-9

Jerusalem, your streets are standing empty,
your children led away as spoils of war.
The walls that stood between you and the desert
have crumbled now, protecting you no more.

You say you've been abandoned by the Father,
though you had slain the best within your flock,
but you laid down your infants on the altar
and poured you people's blood upon the rocks.

When shall God look again upon your fasting
and offer you rewards to keep his ways?
When you have turned the deserts into pastures
and made it so your sheep may safely graze.

When you have turned the waste into a garden,
undammed the stream to let the flowers bloom,
oh, then and only then shall you have pardon.
Then light shall break upon you in your gloom.

Cast down your princes; lift up all your lowly,
and make at last a smooth and level way.
Throw out your idols—love your Maker wholly,
and see again the dawning of your day.

Tag: Baruch 5

Let Us Go

Jerusalem (Rage Hymning)