Now in this installment, I would like to explore what a young shepherd discovered in the wilderness of ancient Israel and later used in the courts of King Saul, as well as in hiding, fearing for his life, and eventually as the King himself.
Poetry is a gift from God and is a beautiful expression of worship.
Consider David's timeless verses which both glorify the Lord's magnificence, using poesy's greatest literary devices, and serve as an epitome for the deepest cries of the human soul, redeemed by God and striving along the journey of life.
"Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
By day the Lord commands his steadfast
love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life" (Psalm 42:7-8).
"You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?" (Psalm 56:8).
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?" (Psalm 56:8).
"And I say, 'Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest..." (Psalm 55:6).
"And they say, 'The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob does not perceive'...
He who planted the ear, does he not hear?
He who formed the eye, does he not see?
He who disciplines the nations, does he not
rebuke?
He who teaches man knowledge
- the Lord - knows the thoughts of
man,
that they are but a breadth" (Psalm 94:7, 9-11)
"Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1)"
the God of Jacob does not perceive'...
He who planted the ear, does he not hear?
He who formed the eye, does he not see?
He who disciplines the nations, does he not
rebuke?
He who teaches man knowledge
- the Lord - knows the thoughts of
man,
that they are but a breadth" (Psalm 94:7, 9-11)
"Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1)"
"Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very
great!
You are clothed with splendour and majesty,
covering yourself with light as with a
garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
He lays the beams of his chambers on the
waters;
he makes the clouds his chariots;
he rides on the wings of the wind" (Psalm 104:1-3).
Arguably one of David's most famous songs, The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) is included in an anthology of English poetry that I found in a secondhand bookstore. My goal was to read one poem from the collection every day... I have definitely not succeeded in that, but the poems I have read are treasures, particularly a poem by Sir Philip Sydney (1554-1586) that I thought would be fitting to share with you, dear readers.
I will let it speak for itself, only highlighting a few of the many instances where the poet makes reference to Scripture.
O Lord my God, you are very
great!
You are clothed with splendour and majesty,
covering yourself with light as with a
garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
He lays the beams of his chambers on the
waters;
he makes the clouds his chariots;
he rides on the wings of the wind" (Psalm 104:1-3).
Arguably one of David's most famous songs, The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) is included in an anthology of English poetry that I found in a secondhand bookstore. My goal was to read one poem from the collection every day... I have definitely not succeeded in that, but the poems I have read are treasures, particularly a poem by Sir Philip Sydney (1554-1586) that I thought would be fitting to share with you, dear readers.
I will let it speak for itself, only highlighting a few of the many instances where the poet makes reference to Scripture.
Note
When I read poetry I often follow these steps (feel free to change and improve this method to make it work for you):
- Read
- Read aloud to get a sense of the rhythm and rhyme.
- Read again, slowly, to ponder the devices, theme and 'voice' of the poem.
- Read once more as "quickly" as the first time (You'll be surprised how much better you understand and appreciate the words!).
Leave Me, O Love, Which Reachest but to Dust
By Sir Philip Sydney
By Sir Philip Sydney
Leave me, O Love, which reachest but to dust;
And thou, my mind, aspire to higher things;1
Grow rich in that which never taketh rust;2
And thou, my mind, aspire to higher things;1
Grow rich in that which never taketh rust;2
Whatever fades but fading pleasure brings.
Draw in thy beams and humble all thy might
To that sweet yoke where lasting freedoms be;3
Which breaks the clouds and opens forth the light,
That both doth shine and give us sight to see.4
O take fast hold; let that light be thy guide
In this small course which birth draws out to death,
And think how evil becometh him to slide,
Who seeketh heav'n, and comes of heav'nly breath.
Then farewell, world; thy uttermost I see:
Eternal Love, maintain thy life in me.5
Draw in thy beams and humble all thy might
To that sweet yoke where lasting freedoms be;3
Which breaks the clouds and opens forth the light,
That both doth shine and give us sight to see.4
O take fast hold; let that light be thy guide
In this small course which birth draws out to death,
And think how evil becometh him to slide,
Who seeketh heav'n, and comes of heav'nly breath.
Then farewell, world; thy uttermost I see:
Eternal Love, maintain thy life in me.5
