Part of the Matheson Trust Sacred Audio Collection

Yedid Nefesh (Hebrew: “Lover of the Soul”) is the title of a piyyut or Jewish liturgical poem. Sung on different occasions according to Jewish denominations, but mostly associated with Shabbath liturgy, it is commonly attributed to the sixteenth century kabbalist, Rabbi Elazar ben Moshe Azikri. The first letters of each of the four stanzas make up the four letter name of God or tetragrammaton.

Yedid Nefesh

Sung by Rabbi Mark Solomon. Recording by The Matheson Trust.

Beloved of the soul, Compassionate Father,
draw Your servant to Your Will;
then Your servant will hurry like a hart
to bow before Your majesty;
to him Your friendship will be sweeter
than the dripping of the honeycomb and any taste.

Majestic, Beautiful, Radiance of the universe,
my soul pines [lit: is sick for] for your love.
Please, O God, heal her now
by showing her the pleasantness of Your radiance;
then she will be strengthened and healed,
and eternal gladness will be hers.

Enduring One, may Your mercy be aroused
and please take pity on the son of Your beloved,
because it is so very long that I have yearned intensely
to see speedily the splendour of Your strength;
only these my heart desired,
so please take pity and do not conceal Yourself

Please, my Beloved, reveal Yourself and spread upon me
the shelter of Your peace;
illuminate the Earth with Your glory,
that we may rejoice and be glad with You;
hasten, show love, for the time has come,
and show us grace as in days of old.