Open

What the God of Jacob said through Joseph, we sing

In a psalm, accompanied by tambourine and shepherd’s harp.

New moon, full moon, blow the horn of Israel

Again. About the law:

When I sent Joseph down to Egypt

(Strange tongues spoken there)

I took his brothers off his shoulders,

Saved him from the chore pots.

He called, I answered him

With dreams. I answer you with thunder:

Split rocks gush bitter water.

Do not worship strangeness

In yourself or others’ glamour:

I led you out of Egypt, and will

Fill your mouth. Just open

When I speak: but no one listens.

Had they not loved the sound of their own voices,

Chosen lust, and meat, and hate,

I would have made them masters over all they met,

Would have fed them white bread milled from finest wheat,

Spread with honey from the rock.