The Lord recently drew my attention to Psalm 39; He
encouraged and sharpened me with this passage. I would like to share a poem I
wrote as a personal reflection on the Psalm. My poem also reflects on James 3-4:11, Isaiah
53:5-7, and 1 Peter 2:22-25 as well as some other scripture passages.
Innocent, you bore my guilt
My rebellion reviled your Name
The word you spoke to me was peace
A spotless Lamb slaughtered
With a striped body and reproached heart
Threatening was far from your tongue
Trusting him who judges justly
You uttered: “It is finished”
My heart’s portrait is on my tongue
Once a canvas of forest fires and asps
Washed white by the blood of the lamb
Muzzle my lips that I may speak
From a heart enchanted with grace
Cloak me in humility
Crown me with wisdom
May I delight in you, O Righteous Vine
As a breath evaporates, so shall I
As a shadow fading in the noonday sun
Yet my days go on forever
One day soon, I’ll see Glory face to face
Treasures lose their lustrous twinkle
As you set my eyes on heaven
Time redeemed
Is loving God and neighbor
Moths consume the trinkets in my heart
Shall my mouth utter discontent?
Let not bitterness choke me
Keep me silent as you melt off dross
Hear my cry, Lord cast my sins away
Throw them in the deepest sea
Your face shines through the clouds
Restore to me the joy of your salvation*
* The last line of the poem is Psalm 51:12a.
