The popular Israeli singer, Yishai Ribo, composed a song based on this prayer. In his version, the focus is on the emotional life of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, as he performs the "service" - the sacrifices that were part of the Temple ritual. Ribo's song can help us imagine ourselves in the shoes of the High Priest, and open a window into some of the possible emotions of being so immersed in Divine service on this special day of the year.
Translation of the Lyrics:
He entered the place he had entered before and stood in the place he had stood, washed his hands and feet, immersed, came up and dried himself. He came from the place he came and went where he went, stripped off his weekday clothes and donned white garments. And thus he would say: “O Lord! Grant atonement for the sins, transgressions and iniquities which I sinned before you – I and my household.”
And if one could recall the flaws, the deficiencies, all the sins and transgressions surely he would count thus: One, one and one, one and two, one and three, one and four, one and five…” and right away he would be ashamed, unable to bear the bitter taste of sin, the shame, the missed opportunity, the loss.
Then the priests and the people standing in the courtyard, when they heard the name, the explicit Name come out from the mouth of the High Priest, would bow and prostrate themselves, falling on their face ‘Blessed be the name of the glory of his kingdom for ever and ever!’
He came out from the place which he exited and trembled in the place where he stood
Stripped off his golden garments and donned his own clothes
And all the people and the priests escorted him home
It was a holiday for all who loved him, because he had attained forgiveness for all the assembly of Israel.
Happy is the people for whom it is so
Happy is the people whose God is HaShem (the Name)
Happy is the people for whom it is so
Happy is the people whose God is HaShem (the Name)
Happy is the people…
Like the heavenly canopy, stretched out over those who dwell above, was the appearance of the High Priest
Like lightening bolts emanating from the radiance of the angels, was the appearance of the High Priest
Like the image of the rainbow amid the cloud, was the appearance of the High Priest
Like the lovingkindness granted to the face of a groom, was the appearance of the High Priest.
Exodus 24,17. “and the appearance of G’d’s glory was like a consuming fire on the top of the Mountain.” When man serves the Lord through observing the commandments and studying His Torah, he provides the Lord with a great deal of satisfaction. If he wishes to know if his service was really pleasing to the Lord, the test is to look into his own heart. If he notices that his own heart is as if burning with fire in his enthusiasm and that whenever he performs acts of service to the Lord it thoroughly warms his heart and he himself experiences a profound satisfaction and joy at serving his Creator, this is proof that he receives a heavenly assist to continue on the path he has chosen... When his own heart seems to him to be on “fire,” and he is close to ecstasy, this is proof that G’d takes pleasure in his efforts.