Elohai, N'tzor

Pink Martini's 'Elohai, N'tzor' is a deeply spiritual and introspective song that draws from traditional Jewish liturgy. The lyrics are a prayer asking for divine assistance in maintaining moral integrity and inner peace. The song opens with a plea to God to guard the speaker's tongue from evil and their lips from speaking deceit. This request highlights the importance of honesty and the struggle to maintain it in a world where deceit can be tempting.

The repetition of 'Elohai' (My God) throughout the song emphasizes a personal and intimate relationship with the divine. The lyrics also ask for the strength to remain calm and composed in the face of those who curse or insult the speaker, symbolizing a desire for humility and resilience. The phrase 'v'nafshi ke-afar lakol tih'yeh' (and let my soul be like dust to everyone) further underscores this humility, suggesting a wish to be grounded and unassuming.

The song also includes a plea to open the heart to God's teachings, 'p'tach libi b'toratecha' (open my heart to Your Torah), which signifies a yearning for spiritual growth and enlightenment. The closing lines, 'Yih'yu l'ratzon imrei fi v'hegyon libi l'fanecha' (May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You), echo a common Jewish prayer, reinforcing the theme of seeking divine approval and guidance. Pink Martini's rendition of this prayerful text is both a homage to tradition and a universal call for personal integrity and peace.