Shahar Avakeshka/At Dawn I Seek You print

Prior to the Nishmat ("breath") section of Shabbat morning services, the middle part that follows the introductory psalms and precedes the reading of the Torah, we often sing a piyut, a liturgical poem, at my synagogue to preparefor breathing in and releasing the prayers that follow. Shahar Avakeshka, written by 11th-century Spanish poet and philosopher Rabbi Shlomo ibn Gabriol, describes his feelings during the early dawn as the uncertainties of darkness yield to the warmth and light of the sun: Text: Shahar Avakeshka (excerpt) Translation:At dawn I seek You, my rock and my fortressmy morning and evening prayers I lay before YouBefore Your greatness I stand in frightfor Your eyes can see into the thoughts of my heartWhat is this that the heart and tongue canbring about, and what is the strength of my spirit within me?Behold the singing of man will be pleasant to You, thereforeI thank You while the soul of God is within meI always think of this section as connected to the paragraph ri