Imitating the Psalms

Okay, so I don't view poetry as a strength of mine.  I write it sometimes when the thought strikes, but usually it is poor and more just an avenue of thought rather than a great skill or technical excellence.  I'm sure writing in all styles should be.  But I'll just mention this as a disclaimer.  I wrote the following poem twenty years ago.  So I was much younger and the phrases may sound old.  Oh well.  I'll put it here in case it holds any value to encourage you.  Because in it I wanted to write my own Lament Psalm.  You see, the Psalms teach us to emote - to practice bearing our souls before God.  And many of them are happy, teachy, preachy, historic - you get the picture.  But many are laments.  And laments are worth lamenting about and over.  So I did.  And here it is.  My own personal lament Psalm.

A Personal Lament Psalm

Will someone hear me?  Will someone pray?

Oh Please Pray!

Ask the Lord to keep me safe,

Safe from danger, safe from doubts,

Safe from the enemy, safe from myself.

Ask Him to comfort me in my sadness,

Ask Him to hold me close to Himself.

Oh Lord I’m lonely and in my grief my pain is increased.

Father I need you, for you are my Friend…

You care that my heart aches,

You care about the sorrow I bear.

When will this end?  I ask, even now.

But I know it is not the question.

Rather, will I trust You Lord?

-          To see me through?

-          To provide?

-          To care?

-          To guide?

Yes, the question is, will I trust?

And will I obey?

And will I follow wherever you lead – each day?

Do I know You love me,

That you care, and welcome my wounded soul –

And pour out comfort, assurance, peace and hope?

Oh, will someone hear me?  Will someone pray?

The Lord God hears me – all that I say.

He knows how I feel; He knows where I am.

And so with confidence I can go on –

Not only does He hold the world in His hand,

But He holds me close to His heart –

And there He’ll keep me – There I’ll stay,

Not someone distant – off in the sky,

My guide is my Friend, my Father, my joy.

He knows how I feel, He knows where I am,

And I will walk with Him, as He holds my hand.