People have asked me how I got started writing poetry. I can’t remember the very beginning, but I know the Psalms have been a great model for me. When I get stuck (like I have been lately), I go to the Psalms for modeling and inspiration.
Last week I read Psalm 29. I couldn’t help but notice the repetition: “Ascribe” 3 times in the first 2 verses, “The voice of the LORD” 7 times verses 3-9, the “LORD sits…gives…bless” at the end. So I re-wrote the Psalm in my own personal version, thinking through what I would “ascribe” to the LORD, etc. It’s not my best poem, nor do I consider it in finished form, but I thought it might encourage others to think it what their personal version would be. And, who knows, maybe you are a poet!?!
Psalm 29 – A Psalm of Maggie
Ascribe to the LORD, Maggie Bruehl,
Ascribe to the LORD his majesty and mercy.
Ascribe to the LORD the majesty as creator of all;
Worship the LORD in the mercy of forgiveness.
The voice of the LORD created the earth
Formless to form
Sun, moon, stars, waters, and land.
The voice of the LORD created life
A spark connecting sun, waters and land
To make earth lush, green, beautiful
The voice of the LORD fed fish and animals
Creating diversity and beauty
Man stumbles to try to duplicate.
The breath of the LORD created the Spirit of man
In an earthly image of himself
For eternal fellowship.
The voice of the LORD called out in the Garden
To woo back that which was broken
To clothe naked vulnerability.
The voice of the LORD found one righteous man
With the faith to build an ark
And hope in the midst of darkness.
The voice of the LORD called out to Abraham
Promising the impossible, giving life to a nation
Offering eternal life to all peoples.
The voice of the LORD continues to rule the earth
Through thunder and fire
The sweep of waters.
The voice of the LORD allows man the choice of evil
To give his heart to lust and violence
To destroy what God created and loved.
The voice of the LORD continues to call mankind
Offering intimacy and life
Hope and strength.
The voice of the LORD responds to cries of
Repentance begging for
Mercy, hope and strength.
The voice of the Lord embraces, forgives, restores and renews
Promising eternal life in oneness with him
The perfection He created without sin.
The LORD sits enthroned as Father, Son and Spirit.
The LORD sits enthroned, scarred hands held out
May the LORD give strength to me, now one of his people
May the LROD bless me and all his people with mercy.
