Psalms

                 A Psalm of Exultation;
                       by the son of Kathryn.

My bowels recoil within me at the thought of the LORD’s absence. My feet walk upon an unsure span. It rocketh from side to side, and my legs are as chaff in the wind.

   My soul seeketh the cradle of the LORD. As a chick huddleth beneath its mother’s wings, so seek I the sure rest of the LORD’s protection.

   Who is like unto the LORD, and whose compassion can be compared to my creator? More tender than a mother, more stalwart than a father, is the LORD of hosts.

   Danger shall not come nigh unto me. I shall splash in the puddles by my father’s feet and I shall fear no intruder. I shall play upon his toes, and no interloper shall come within the field of the LORD. Yea, thou art my father and my champion. I shall boast of thee, O LORD.

   Why brag the nations after vanity? Why exalt they a conqueror when the LORD is nigh?

   The LORD is comely and majestic. He conquereth the hearts of men, and causeth conquerors to fall.

   Run by his chariot, O daughter of Zion. I shall leap within the throng behind my champion’s steeds.

   His chariots cause the Earth to tremble, yet my feet are on sure ground.

A song, upon a slow string.

Alas, my love, thou doest me ill not to call me soon.  My love, thou doest thyself injustice to cast me off for so long, I who was thy wife. Beckon, I crave thee, beckon me, for I cannot see anymore. Let me hear thy voice, and I shall come. For:

Great JHWH, Thy name was everything to me. Great JHWH, Thy name was my joy. Great JHWH, Thy name was my crown of gold, and who can replace such a lover as thee, my Lord JHWH?

Call me, and I will hear. My love, Thou so loved me once. Crave in thine heart that I should return. Grant me leave to return unto thee, to wait upon my lover again. I am ready to serve mine only husband, I who am thine only wife. For:

Great JHWH, Thy name was everything to me. Great JHWH, Thy name was my heart’s desire. Great JHWH, Thy name was my true crown of gold, and who can replace such a lover as thee, my Lord JHWH?

I am ready, without any pride left. See me in the mire and take pity, I who was thy wife. Feel within thy bowels my reproach and humility, stir thy compassion for me who hath found no pity, that I come to love thee again, and never to depart. For:

Great JHWH, Thy name is everything to me. Great JHWH, Thy name is my eternal joy. Great JHWH, Thy name is my crown of gold, and who can replace such a lover as thee, my Lord JHWH?

A Psalm of comfort

I seek the rest of the LORD, and his certain approval. Let the nations roar, and let even mine own soul torment me. But I shall find rest in the LORD.

   All they that yearn for the LORD shall find him. Make me to know thy ways, O God, and to walk steadfastly in them.

   Let me cast aside vanity, and let me work at a thing which shall endure. Create in me a purpose, O God, that the grave hath no victory over me.

   Rest my soul and mind, O LORD, rest them as on a smooth sea.  As a hand stroking fine wool, yea, the finest cashmere, let my soul find gentle peace. Let it relax within thy bosom. Let me hear thine heart beat, a gentle lullaby, a pace to set my ways, to set my breath and every sinew of my body and every cavern of my heart. I shall nestle in the bosom of the ALMIGHTY, and the gentle stir of thy breath shall restore my soul.

   I shall rise up with the LORD and I shall find purpose. My soul shall be enlivened at his awakening. My heart shall leapcall of the LORD, and my fears and uncertainties shall be vanquished.

   I shall not falter, for the LORD is with me. He teacheth me the right way. He pointeth to the path and prepareth my way.

   Incline thine ear, O man, and hearken to his call. Be ready to hear him. Run to his call. Take cheer at the stirring of his voice, for there is no God but the LORD, the God of Israel.

   Thy feet shall be kept upon the path. Thine end shall be sweet, and thy flesh shall not rot in the grave.

   Why fearest thou any man, for the LORD is near?

A Psalm for aging and for the raising of the dead; of the son of Kathryn

The word of the LORD is a sweet fruit. It is an honeycomb dripping with syrup. It filleth my belly. It enliveneth my soul. It returneth the rush of my heart’s youth within.

   Though I see age encompass me; though I sink into the pit, the LORD restoreth my youth.

   As the voice of a lover long absent, my soul leapeth at his call.

   Hearken, O ye people, unto the voice of many waters. Hearken unto a shepherd’s call, and hear the horn of life.

   It restoreth my joy. At its sound my skin runneth upon me. My bones lock in their joints. My muscles course again with strength. Mine eyes return, and I see the handiwork of my God.

   What is this wonder that the LORD hath done? I cast off the mantel of the pit, and my feet walk upon the pleasant gardens once more.

   Surely mine heart shall burn within me again, and I shall see God. Mine own eyes shall blink again, and I shall see him clearly.

   My soul waiteth. It shall return unto its tabernacle, and I shall gaze upon the LORD forevermore. 

A Psalm of the son of Kathryn; for the Journey

My God, My God, God of gods, how beautiful are thy ways. How just thy recompense; from an even temper at the fount of wisdom come forth thy judgments. Thou declarest thy ways beforehand; thy spirit goeth forth to order thy ways.

   Thy spirit forebeareth, and thou art not quick to bring about condemnation. Great and terrible is thy day, O most High and Lofty. I have seen it before. Tumult in the streets doth clamor up to me; confusion of face is seen in the streets; howlings and shriekings make for a din about me.

   With mine ears have I heard of that day once before. Shall I see it upon the nations? On the third day I shall surely see it. At the ninth hour shall the sun arise, at the ninth hour, three times three, shall it come to pass. It hovereth as the day star.

   The day beginneth and the children of flesh moan. They lay the blame upon the LORD, my beauty, but no man considereth his own fault. The LORD’s patience is mocked. They take advantage, and the righteous removeth to his inner chambers.

   The righteous removeth to his closet, sure he is safe, but the wicked make merry in his parlor.

   A tumult, a tumult cometh suddenly upon the sons of men. Hand against hand, neighbour set to his neighbour. As the lion begetteth a lion, so doth destruction come upon a lean soul.

   He that made his home the ways of the street shall be consumed; the righteous that fleeth from the ways of the riotous and the debauchers shall be consumed in his closet.

   All they that would have the day of the LORD shall be overcome: the righteous that would not prevent it, and he that was wanton and mocked it in the byways.

   He that preacheth the destruction of the mighty city shall be consumed with it, for the day of the LORD is a consuming day, a day of fire, and the glory of the LORD a sight of terror.

   But he that doeth the ways of the LORD, and hearkeneth unto his words, shall be saved. He shall rest upon the LORD. He is led by the LORD to safe pastures. 

   Peaceful streams shall flow over his feet, and his sores shall be removed. But afar off shall be destruction; a great furnace billowing upward.

   The LORD’s throne toucheth the earth. The sky cleaveth asunder, the earth melteth, and the sound thereof is as a mighty army coming headlong for me. 

   Yet he delivereth my soul. He restoreth my flesh. My hair is young and fair again; my heart beateth faster, and the rush of youth filleth its chambers.

   Surely, I have seen the resurrection and the lot, the last day, and the beauty. The day of the LORD approacheth all, in their season and in their life. It cometh as the sunset.

   He that seeketh for the LORD’s judgment shall run after it, and the sun is always on the horizon. His foot stumbleth. He falleth into the deep and gloomy abode.

   But he that keepeth upon the path of the LORD shall not fall. He shall see the day of the LORD, and light shall shine upon him. He shall not run to that day, for that day cometh. If the sun should set upon him, that day hath come to him.

   Yet night cannot overtake him. There shall no destruction come nigh unto him, and he shall see Life himself, at the dawn he shall see it, and he shall live.  

A PSALM  

I sought me righteousness, but, lo, there was there God first. I sought it as wisdom, and followed it as a running stream. But, lo, its fount was God.

   As a torrent it runneth to the sea; as a river it guideth the paths to all who sojourn. It upholdeth my vessel as the sea. As the dew covereth the ground, so is the LORD’s righteousness all about me.

   Who is he who braggeth because he seeth? Whither journieth he who seeth but followeth not? Let him follow the river; let him sail his ship on and on.

   Behold, as the horizon never changeth until land befalleth, so the LORD’s righteousness shall lead thee to new lands. There as the dew he shall be. He shall quench thy thirst and speed thy way.

     All ye that come down to the earth by the womb, journey all your days with the LORD’s righteousness, and seek not your own.

A PSALM

Hast thou taken hold of an angel that thou mightest enquire of mine appearance? Who hath seen me that he should draw a line upon my countenance? What righteous man hath by reason seen my form?

  Tell me. Enquire of mine host, who can bear my glory?