Reflections on the Psalms.
Each stanza picks up the themes of a psalm and explores the emotions behind these ageless prayers of passion, laments of longing, the worship of the wise. These stanzas are a respectful nod to the wonderful sonnets of Malcolm Guite in David's Crown in which the last line of each poem spawns the first line of the next.
Psalm 1
Blessed are those who do not speak
Of evil nor oppress the weak
But they delight by night and day
To keep the law of God and pray
Not so the wicked who forgets
The Lord and all his benefits
They have no root and when the gust
Of judgment comes, return to dust
Psalm 2
The nations swirl like dust and rage
Among the peoples none is sage
Their rulers gather to conspire
Against the Lord and his Messiah
For on Mount Zion God has placed
His chosen One to reign in grace
You are my Son, beloved One
Come serve the Lord and kiss the Son!
Psalm 3
Come serve the Lord and kiss the Son?
My foes pursue me as I run
They taunt me, fill my heart with doubt
But you, Oh Lord, put them to rout
Awake, asleep, I do not fear
For you, Oh Lord, are ever near
Arise and save me, Oh my God!
And to my foes apply your rod
Psalm 4
To those who jeer apply your rod
When I appeal to you, my God
Give me relief from my distress
Save those who dwell in godliness
Oh, let your peace my anger still
My heart with greater joy you fill
You let me sleep in striveless peace
And from my foes you grant release
Psalm 5
And from my foes you grant release
My morning prayers will never cease
With you the wicked cannot dwell
Their lips drip lies, their hearts rebel
Towards your temple I will pray
And in your house, there I will stay
Fill those who seek you with your joy
And in your grace do not destroy
Psalm 6
And in your grace have mercy, Lord
My soul is faint, my joy abroad
“How long, Oh Lord? How long!” I sigh
My eyes grow weak with mournful cry
My flesh and bones are in great pain
Return, Oh Lord, and heal again
The Lord has heard my cry for grace
He is my secret hiding place
Psalm 7
Oh God, my secret hiding place
The lions want to tear my face
If I have done what they accuse
If I am guilty of abuse
Then let them triumph over me
But you, weigh my integrity
You search the hearts of all mankind
Defend me, Lord, before behind
Psalm 8
Behind each swirling galaxy
Your glory and your majesty
Shine through the vacant, silent space
Now filled with infant wonder, praise
And in the cosmos curved and bent
You made a human resident
Oh, who can reckon human worth
To him who reigns o’er all the earth?
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