Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. ALEPH

ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

{Aleph} Alas, how sitteth the city so desolate, that some time was full of people? How is she become like a widow, which was the lady of all nations? How is she brought under tribute, that ruled all lands?

{Aleph} Alas, how hath the LORD darkened the daughter of Zion so sore in his wrath? As for the honour of Israel, he hath casten it down from heaven: How happeneth it, that he remembered not his own foot stool when he was angry?

{Aleph} I am the man, that, through the rod of his wrath, have experience of misery.

{Aleph} O how is the gold become so dim? How is the goodly colour of it so sore changed? And the stones of the sanctuary thus scattered in the corner of every street?