DAVID
King Saul was followed by King David to whom we owe
the patterns of praise and petitions in the Psalms. Such eloquence
is not easily earned, but forged from the pain and joy of fire and
faith. David is so real to us for he has flung our questions to the
star-strung heavens as he suffered sin and its consequences on the
long climb to the mountaintop from the valley of the shadow of
death. Psalm 23.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David, how would I dare to write of you…..
you, the Poet Laureate of all time?
My most mellifluous metaphor is jangling jargon
beside your green pastures and still waters,
my sharpest simile but a bubble before your sword
to slay the wicked.
My most honest attempt at confession, pitiful
compared to the baring of your heart’s
shameful deed that haunts day and night.
My major hymn of praise like infant babbling beside
You, O Lord are robed with honor, majesty and light.
You teach me the joy of language,
the privilege of passion, the treasure of tears;
you show me the Messiah.
Some readers may prefer the persuasion of Paul,
others the authority of Peter or the insight of John.
But if the only pages of Scripture I had were just
these few thin, underlined, thumbed, worn,
tearstained Psalms, it would be enough …..
to be like a tree planted by the river of water,
to know that night after night showeth knowledge,
to sit where You prepare a table before me,
to dwell in Your presence every day of my life.
Create a clean heart in me,
to live under the shadow of the Almighty,
I love your law.
I want to enter Your gates with thanksgiving,
Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me,
You chart the path ahead of me.
“Let everything alive give praise to the Lord,
Hallelujah!
The Psalms
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