Have you been trying to find the Lyrics and English meaning to the song “Ki Avi” about YBC – the Yeshiva Boys Choir?
The song “Ki Avi” is actually two verses from Psalm 27, verses 10 and 14
10 For though my father and my mother have forsaken me, the LORD will take me up.
( 11 Teach me Thy way, O LORD; and lead me in an even path, because of them that lie in wait for me.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries; for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out violence.
13 If I had not believed to look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! – )
14 Wait on the LORD; be strong, and let thy heart take courage; yea, wait thou for the LORD.
(Psa 27:10-14 JPS)
The Complete Metsudah Sidur translates 27:10 as “When my father and mother abandon me, HaShem will gather me up.” and 27:14 as “Hope to HaShem, be strong and He will give you courage; and hope to HaShem.” (Note: Upper case “LORD” and HaShem refer to the Tetragramaton (four letter name of God not pronounced by Jews).
(Psa 27:10-14 WTT)
Here’s a quick overview of the transliterated vocabulary, so you can appreciate the song and sing along.
KI = Because
AVI V’IMI – my mother and my father
AZAVUNI – abandoned me
V’YHVH – and HaShem
YA’ASFENI – will gather me, will receive me, will take me up
KAVEH = wait
EL-YHVH = on HaShem
CHAZAQ = be strong
V’YA-AMETZ LIBECHA = and let-take-courage (grow-strong) your-heart
V’KAVEH = and wait
EL-YHVH = on HaShem
And below are the same two verses with the Hebrew letters:
This psalm is perhaps better known for verse 1:
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
See where these Psalm 27 verses are used in Liturgy.