Walk in the Woods
Abstract: Psalm 141
My interpretation of Psalm 141
Psalm 141
Do you hear me Lord?
Are my words soothing to your ears?
I beg you to correct me if they are not,
Because I do not want to be like the men of this world or of this age.
Though they come for me, I trust you to guard me,
And carry me to higher ground, far from the storms men create for themselves.
Abstract: Psalm 140
My interpretation of Psalm 140.
Psalm 140
Rescue me Father, from the bickering and violence of my age,
from a culture that seek to destroy your wonder and glory.
Keep me from slipping into their traps and temptations.
For I prayed to the Holy Spirit and whispered,”I trust you. Do your will in my life,
And show me how to wade through all this shit.”
And Lord, I refuse to judge those around me.
Lead all of us to know you as Father-
the righteous yes, but also the poor,
And the single moms,
the addicts and stripper,
Lonely single men,
And abused children,
That all of us will praise your goodness.
Abstract: Psalm 139
My interpretation of Psalm 139
Psalm 139
Lord, you know me better than anyone.
You know me better than I know myself,
and You understand my thoughts, emotions, and the intent of my heart.
You surround my life and being and anoint me with purpose.
And if I were foolish enough to try,
where could I hide?
There is no depth in the oceans or darkness of cave,
no drug or addiction,
philosophy or belief,
than can or will nullify You and Your presence in my life.
You made me in my mother’s depth and my spirit knows this is true.
You saw my face when you created light, all of my life and days,
and called it good.
I kneel in awe of the only God that matters.
As for haters and naysayers,
David wanted you to crush them. He hated his enemies, but Your Son Jesus taught us to be like You.
So I close my asking You to bless my enemies.
Surround them with Your Glory and Peace that they may know You.
And search me Lord.
Remove all the stumbling blocks between me and you.
Abstract: Psalm 138
My interpretation of Psalm 138.
Psalm 138
I will always return to you Lord,
and I will sing your praises in all places,
before empty rooms and jammed halls.
When I turn to you, laying down my ego and pride,
Your presence fills my soul and makes me strong.
Anyone who seeks you will say the same,
for your love and joy is without an equal.
What our god or person shows no favoritism?
Billionaires are but bone and blood at Your feet,
as is the addict in the alley.
You remain my life force and clutch my hands when I stumble.
You drive away my judges and rebuke those who take advantage of my kindess.
I will trust You to do what you Promised,
as you have for so many others- all the others,
And I will focus on Your goodness, not the lying shit-bag propaganda of the enemy.
Abstract: Psalm 137
Psalm 137, in it’s translated version. Click to read why I decided to leave it as is.
Psalm 137
When I read the Psalm for the day, I decide not to re-interpret it. Psalm 137 is a song from a people held captive and longing for their homeland (and the punishment of their captors.) It is intense and personal. And, I didn’t feel right about putting their lament into my context. So, I left it as translated in the New American Standard Bible.
An Experience of the Captivity.
By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down and wept,
When we remembered Zion.
Upon the willows in the midst of it
We hung our harps.
For there our captors demanded of us songs,
And our tormentors mirth, saying,
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
How can we sing the Lord’s song
In a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
May my right hand forget her skill.
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
If I do not remember you,
If I do not exalt Jerusalem
Above my chief joy.
Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom
The day of Jerusalem,
Who said, “Raze it, raze it
To its very foundation.”
O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one,
How blessed will be the one who repays you
With the recompense with which you have repaid us.
How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones
Against the rock.
Abstract: Psalm 136
My interpretation of Psalm 136.
Psalm 136
Praise God!
He is good and this truth makes all things possible.
He chose us, all of us, to be his children.
He will that no one should waste their life.
And, He will do what He wills to bring about His glory,
regardless of the what the world mocks or judges.
And everyone who creates and worships human wisdom,
every who is proud and arrogant,
violent and oppressive,
they will whither and die.
And they will be forgotten in eternity.
Bless those who on the name of the Lord,
in every season and moment of life,
for God is Good.
Abstract: Psalm 135
My interpretation of Psalm 135.
Psalm 135
Praise God!
He is good and He makes all things possible.
He chose us, all of us, because He wills that no man waste their life in vain.
And, He will do what He needs to do, regardless of what the wicked think or mock.
For everyone who creates and those who worship human wisdom will whither and die.
And they will be forgotten in eternity.
Bless those who call on the Lord in every season and moment of life,
for the Lord is good.
Abstract: Psalm 134
My interpretation of Psalm 134.
Psalm 134
Bless those who toil for the Kingdom,
To the ones who gave their life in service to the Lord.
May the Father of all Creation bless them with joy and peace and abundant harvests,
that they will see the Holy fruit and know it is good.
Abstract: Psalm 133
My interpretation of Psalm 133.
Psalm 133
Unity is where the goodness flows.
Work and harvests are amplified and the blessings spread from house to house.
A nation thrives with one heart, and a family expands it’s territory when they are as one.
Unity of heart and spirit and purpose are life-sustaining,
a blessing from our Father.
Abstract: Psalm 132
My interpretation of Psalm 132.
Psalm 132
Do you remember David, Lord?
Do you remember his promise to find a place for you to dwell, and for your people to encounter you?
Do you remember he fulfilled his promise?
Lord, thank you for your Son,
To come rest in us and with us,
In all your glory and wonder.
He is a gift greater than an Ark or Temple.
The best promise is always Emmanuel.
*To interpret this Psalm (and future Psalms like it) I’ve decided it makes more sense to interpret them from the New Testament perspective.
Abstract: Psalm 131
My interpretation of Psalm 131.
Psalm 131
Oh God, I am not proud or unique.
And I avoid being “important.”
For I set myself to know you and be still.
I’m more like a mature child,
for I hope only in you.
To my family and friends,
hope is in the Lord, now and forever.
Abstract: Psalm 130
My interpretation of Psalm 130.
Psalm 130
In my most vile condition, full of darkness and despair,
I reached for You.
Can You hear me, Father?
Please hear me and listen to my groans.
Because I know, no one is innocent before you, and my sins are not special.
And though You are to be feared, You forgive.
I know you will come to me and answer me,
And so I wait for you.
I will strain my ears and listen for your footsteps,
And I will refuse to move until you show.
Oh humanity, if you have hope,
Hope in the Lord.
With Him there is love and redemption- even to the worst of us-
He never fails.