Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Surely then in vain have I cleansed my heart and washed my hands in innocency.
Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;
Meanwhile, I’ve kept my heart pure for no good reason; I’ve washed my hands to stay innocent for nothing.
In your virtue, you confirmed the sea. You crushed the heads of the serpents in the waters.
Thou by thy strength didst make the sea firm: thou didst crush the heads of the dragons in the waters.
Who is Shaddai that we should serve Him? What would we gain if we pray to Him?’
For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’
For you ask, ‘What will it profit you?’ and ‘What do I gain by not sinning?’
If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face and be cheerful,’
If I am condemned— why should I struggle in vain?
then You would plunge me into a pit and my own clothes would detest me.
One with clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully.
I will wash my hands in innocence, so I can walk around Your altar, Adonai,
Let me hear joy and gladness, so the bones You crushed may rejoice.
You say: “Serving God is worthless.” Also: “What good is it that we kept His service or that we walked as mourners before Adonai-Tzva’ot?
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!