12 Gates Of The City

 

 “You see the trouble we are in: 

Jerusalem lies in ruins, 

and its gates have been burned with fire. 

Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, 

and we will no longer be in disgrace.”

~  Nehemiah 2

Really Free

Set me free from my prison, 

that I may praise your name

~ Psalm 142

I'll Never Give It Up

The Lord is a warrior;

the Lord is his name.

~Exodus 15

It's All Too Much

From my youth I have suffered 

and been close to death; 

I have borne your terrors

and am in despair.

~  Psalm 88

Space Cowboy

I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
~ Psalm 55

Easter Everywhere

1.       For praise; concerning the strength of the regular morning sacrifice; a psalm of David.
2.       My God, my God, why have you left me far from my redemption? – are the words of my outcry.
3.       O God, I call by day and you will not accept my prayer; and by night I have no quiet
4.       But you are holy, who make the world rest on the psalms of Israel.
5.       Our fathers hoped in you they hoped in your word, and you saved them.
6.       In your presence they prayed and were saved; and on you they relied, and were not disappointed.
7.       But I am a feeble worm, not a rational man; the reproach of the sons of men, and the butt of the Gentiles.
8.       All who see me will gloat over me, attacking with their lips; they will shake their heads.
9.       Let him give praise in the presence of the Lord; and he has delivered him, he saved him because he favored him.
10.    Because you took me out of the womb; you gave me hope on my mother’s breasts.
11.    By your aid I was pulled forth from her bowels; from my mother’s womb you are my God.
12.    Be not far from me, for trouble is near, for there is no redeemer.
13.    The Gentiles have surrounded me, who are like many bulls; the princes of Mathnan have hemmed me in.
14.    They open their mouths at me like a roaring and ravaging lion.
15.    Like water I am poured out; all my bones are crushed; my heart is melting like wax within my bowels.
16.    My strength has dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue is stuck to my palate; and you have brought me to the grave.
17.    Because the wicked have surrounded me, who are like many dogs; a gathering of evildoers has hemmed me in, biting my hands and feet like a lion.
18.    I will tell of all the wounds of my bones; those who see me despise me.
19.    They divide my clothing for themselves; and for my cloak they will cast lots.
20.    You, O Lord, do not be far off; O my strength, hurry to my aid.
21.    Save my soul from those who slay with the sword; from the power of the dog, save the breath of my body.
22.    Redeem me from the mouth of the lion; and from kings who are strong and tall as a bull you have received my prayer.
23.    I will tell of the might of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.
24.    O you who fear the Lord, sing praise in his presence; all the seed of Jacob, give him glory; and be afraid of him, all you seed of Israel.
25.    For he does not despise or scorn the prayer of the poor; and he has not removed his presence from their midst; and when they pray in his presence, he accepts their prayer.
26.    My psalm in the assembly of many people is from you; I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
27.    The humble will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will sing praise in his presence; the spirit of prophecy will dwell in the thoughts of your hearts forever.
28.    All the ends of the earth will remember his offerings and will repent in the presence of the Lord; and all the families of the Gentiles will bow down before you.
29.    For kingship is from the presence of the Lord, and he rules over the Gentiles.
30.    All who are fat on earth have eaten and bowed down; all who descend to the grave prostrate themselves before him; but the soul of the wicked shall not live.
31.    The seed of Abraham will worship in his presence; and they will tell the mighty greatness of the Lord to a later generation.
32.    Their children will return and recount his generosity; to his people yet to be born they will recount the wonders he performed.

~ Psalm 22
From the Aramaic Targums

Behind That Locked Door

Blessed are those who listen to me, 

watching daily at my doors, 

waiting at my doorway.

~  Proverbs 8

Romantic Attitude

May he give you the desire of your heart 

and make all your plans succeed.

~  Psalm 20

Ohh My

You came near when I called you, 

and you said, “Do not fear.”

~  Lamentations 3

Thou shalt find oneself perturbed
By less verbose calamities

50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts 

and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

~  Psalm 13

When The Ship Comes In

On that day 

messengers will go out from me in ships 

to frighten Cush out of her complacency. 

Anguish will take hold of them

 on the day of Egypt’s doom, 

for it is sure to come.

~  Ezekiel 30

And like Pharaoh's tribe,
They'll be drownded in the tide,
And like Goliath, they'll be conquered.

I Want Her She Wants Me

My days have passed,
my plans are shattered.
Yet the desires of my heart
turn night into day;
in the face of the darkness
light is near.

~  Job 17

Cool For Cats

If you have understanding, hear this;
 listen to what I say...
~  Job 34

Saint Of Me

Those who were musicians,
heads of Levite families,
stayed in the rooms of the temple
and were exempt from other duties
 because they were responsible for the work
day and night.
~  1 Chronicles 9

A Thousand Kisses Deep

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth...

~  Song of Songs 1