Ki hinne kaḥomer

Sung in Hebrew

Like simple clay
In the hands of the potter,
Who can at will shape, lengthen, stretch,
And can also at will crush, abandon,
So too are we in Your hand
Merciful God of love and grace.
Look to Your covenant—
And not to our perverse inclinations.

Like an uncut stone
In the hands of the mason,
Who can at will grasp, shape, chisel,
And can also at will shatter, destroy,
So too are we in Your hand,
Master of both life and death.
Look to Your covenant —
And not to our perverse inclinations.

Like an iron implement
In the hands of the harvester,
Who can at will wield his tool,
And can also at will lay it down,
So too are we in Your hand,
Sustainer of the poor, the wretched.
Look to Your covenant—
And not to our perverse inclinations.

Like a ship’s rudder
In the hands of the helmsman,
Who can at will steer, guide,
And can also at will relent, retract,
So too are we in Your hand,
Beneficent and forgiving God.
Look to Your covenant—
And not to our perverse inclinations.

Like crystal
In the hands of the glazier, 
Who can at his will celebrate its beauty,
And can also at will melt, shatter,
So too are we in Your hand,
You who pardon iniquity and guilt
Look to Your covenant —
And not to our perverse inclinations.

Like a curtain
In the hands of the draper,
Who can at will shape, lengthen,
And can also at will cut, shorten,
So are we in You hand,
Oh, God of justice and law.
Look to Your covenant —
And not to our perverse inclinations.

Like silver
In the hands of the smith,
Who can at will cleanse away the dross,
And can also at will ignore the impurities,
So are we in Your hand,
Oh, God who sends healing to the sick.
Look to Your covenant—
And not to our perverse inclinations.

Translation: Rabbi Morton M. Leifman