by jdansmall

Psalm 44

Almighty God, in ages past, great are the works You’ve done
Our fathers told us of Your deeds and of the vict’ries won.

It was not with our swords or might that this became our land
To drive out nations, overcome, You used Your own right hand.

Again I say, no thanks to us, the enemy took flight
You turned your face toward us, O God, and made us your delight.

You are our King, O God, it’s true, You’ve saved us o’er and o’er
Through You we crush our enemies, through Your Name win the war.

We do not trust in sword or bow to save us from our foe
In God we boast continually, to Him our thanks we owe.

But now all that is in the past, it seems that things have changed
Our armies go to battle still but from You we’re estranged.

We turn back in defeat from them, our goods they take as spoil
Like sheep to slaughter, we are led, our troops, disgraced, recoil.

You’ve sold Your people for a dime, we are the laughingstock
Covered in shame and sore disgrace, oppressed by all their talk.

What we don’t understand at all is why You’ve turned away
When we’ve been faithful in our hearts, our feet not gone astray.

We’re broken, wand’ring, near to death, but You we’ve not forgot
We have not turned to other gods. You know our deepest thought.

It is for Your sake we are chased and killed the whole day long
We are like sheep to slaughter led, tho’ we’ve done nothing wrong.

Awake now from Your slumber, Lord, please do not hide Your face
Can You not see our desp’rate need, afflictions, and disgrace?

Body and soul lie in the dust. Rise up, come to our aid
In lovingkindness do redeem, for unto You we’ve prayed.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 43

Again I plead my case to You and beg for Your defense
Oppression from deceitful men and godless is intense.

There was a time when You gave strength, have You rejected me?
How long must I endure attacks from ruthless enemies?

Send out Your light and truth to me that they may lead me Home
I long to see Thy holy hill, Your altar and Your Throne.

My God and my exceeding joy, I praise you with the lyre
O God, my God, it’s You alone my soul longs to admire.

So don’t be downcast, O my soul, or let the troubles reign
Hope yet in God, He’s here to save, I shall praise Him again.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 42

Just as the deer in times of drought pants for a stream or creek
So my soul longs and thirsts for You and for Your face I seek.

When can I go and stand before the living God I’ve known?
To once again feel close to Him is why my spirit groans.

Both day and night, tears are my food, while enemies do taunt
“Where is this God you claim is yours, the One you say you want?”

There was a time when I would lead the worshippers in song
A great procession, thankful crowd, rejoicing with the throng.

Why should I let depression rule or soak my bed with tears?
I’ll place my hope in God again, give Him my doubts and fears.

So now when deep depression hits I simply call to mind
The God who runs the universe, keeps all the stars aligned.

When waves of sadness o’er me sweep and my soul churns within
I’ll call out to my loving God and turn my thoughts to Him.

For every day His love He pours into my needy heart
And all night long I’ll sing His songs, my praise to Him impart.

“O God my Rock,” to You I cry. “Have You forgotten me?”
Why must I wander in my grief, oppressed by enemies?

Each time I hear their scoffing quest, “Where is this God you’ve known?”
It wounds my spirit, hurts my soul, like breaking of my bones.

But once again I reprimand my aching, troubled soul
Hope yet in God, praises will flow, your life He will make whole.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 41

Blessed is the man who is helpful to the poor
When he is in trouble, deliverance is sure
Protection from his enemies
Relief from all disease
Because he cared for others, on earth he will endure.

Now my soul is troubled, I cry out for relief
Hear my plea for mercy, consider all my grief
My enemies are speaking lies
And look, in hope, for my demise
Even my close friend leaves me, I faint in disbelief.

Will You, Lord, be gracious and rescue from my plight?
Then I’ll know You love me, that I am Your delight
Let not my foe gain victory
Uphold in my integrity
Forever I will bless You, and dwell within Your sight.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 40

I waited patient for the Lord,
He bowed to hear my cry;
He saw me resting on his word,
And brought salvation nigh.

He raised me from a horrid pit,
Where mourning long I lay,
And from my bonds released my feet,
Deep bonds of miry clay.

Firm on a rock he made me stand,
And taught my cheerful tongue
To praise the wonders of his hand,
In a new thankful song.

How many are thy thoughts of love!
Thy mercies, Lord, how great!
We have not words nor hours enough,
Their numbers to repeat.

I’ll spread his works of grace abroad;
The saints with joy shall hear,
And sinners learn to make my God
Their only hope and fear.

When I ‘m afflicted, poor, and low,
And light and peace depart,
My God beholds my heavy woe,
And bears me on his heart.

These first six verses were penned by Isaac Watts in 1719.
Jeremiah Small, with the help of some friends –(Greg Wilbur, Nathan Clark George) – put a tune to it which you can see/hear by clicking the link below.

The one who trusts the Lord is blest
Who won’t rely on man
Both proud and liar he detests
Delighting in God’s plan.

Blood sacrifice and offering
Is not what You desire
You do not look for what I bring
Great penance don’t require.

My ears You’ve pierced and I have heard
Behold, I come to You
Of me it’s written in Your Word
Your will I love to do.

You’ve set Your law within my heart
Your mercies let me see
Your lovingkindness now impart
Your truth to protect me.

My sins pile up above my head
And evils now abound
My heart is failing and I dread
The foes who now surround.

Be pleased, O Lord, to rescue me
Make haste to drive them back
In great confusion may they flee
And turn from their attack.

Let those who seek You sing for joy
To have You on their side
Your saving pow’r their songs employ
“The Lord be magnified.”

These seven verses are my attempt to convey the remaining parts of Psalm 40 to a similar rhyme and metre. © 2014 J Dan Small


 

by jdansmall

Psalm 39

“All right,” I said, “I’ll watch my steps
And keep my tongue from speaking
When wicked men around me stand
I’ll reign in all my feelings.”

I held my peace and sealed my lips
But in my soul was burning
The fire of sorrow and distress
My thots within were churning.

Finally I cried out to the Lord,
“Give me a new perspective
Help me to see how brief life is
Make my days more redemptive.”

What is the measure of my days?
Show me how frail I am
Yes, all my years and wisdom gained
Are to You one hand span.

Man at his best is a mere breath
A shadow passing by
In frantic pace amassing wealth
Not even knowing why.

In light of this what can I say?
My only hope is You
Deliver me from all my sins
My rebel ways subdue.

When with Your hand of discipline
The sinner You correct
Their life and breath just melts away
Their glory You reject.

Please hear my prayer, observe my tears
And do not silent be
Lest as a stranger in Your eyes
My life should cease to be.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 38

O Lord, hold back Your angry hand
That chastens life and limb
The burden’s great, I cannot stand
Because of all my sin.

Your arrows pierce me deep inside
My flesh and bones are weak
My groans and sighs I cannot hide
Relief from You I seek.

The wrongs I’ve done are piled high
My heart throbs in disgrace
Even the life within my eye
Is gone, there’s not a trace.

And now my loved ones and my friends
Have all abandoned me
And those who want my life to end
Devise their treachery.

I’ve shut my ears to all they say
My mouth has no reply
My feet have clearly gone astray
My sins I can’t deny.

O Lord, You know just what I need
You hear my fainting cry
I hope in You, to You I plead
Answer me lest I die.

Many there are who hate my life
They taunt me when I fail
Tho I’ve not harmed them, they cause strife
Oppressing, they prevail.

My sins I willingly confess
Acknowledge wrongs I’ve done
Against You, Lord, I did transgress
Humbly to You I come.

Do not forsake or hide Your face
Make haste to help me now
I look to You for saving grace
My hope alone art Thou.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 37

Don’t be so jealous of those who do bad
And don’t you be coveting all that they have
It won’t be too long ‘fore their life is no more
And all their prosperity soon will be o’er.

Trust in the Lord and do good everyday
And plant your feet firmly on His narrow way
Delight yourself only in what He requires
And He’ll give to you all that your heart desires.

Give Him control of the path that you take
Entrust to Him all of the plans that you make
As you do these things He will cause you to shine
With goodness and justice and new life divine.

So, patiently wait and find rest now in Him
Don’t fret or be anxious about those who sin
Don’t focus on evil that sinners may do
And don’t become angry, it’s not good for you.

Just wait a short while and they will be no more
But wait on the Lord, He will open new doors
For all of their boasting there’s nothing to show
But, rivers of peace on the meek overflow.

Against godly people the wicked may plot
Be sure that the Lord will bring their plans to naught
They may bend their bows and take out their great sword
It all will come back on themselves, laughs the Lord.

Far better than riches of the wicked throngs
May be the few things that to righteous belong
The wealth of the sinner will soon be dispersed
The plight of the righteous, the Lord will reverse.

The Lord watches over the lives of His saints
So even in famine they’ll have no complaints
The blessings that He gives forever will last
They inherit the earth, and its wealth amass.

The wicked will perish and vanish away
They constantly borrow but never repay
The righteous show mercy and give lib’rally
That’s why the Lord blesses them eternally.

The steps of a good man the Lord oversees
His actions and words cause the Lord to be pleased
And tho he may falter or stumble and fall
The Lord holds his hand and will raise him up tall.

I’ve lived many years and don’t think I’m mistaken
But never have seen any righteous forsaken
Their children aren’t starving or begging for bread
They’re merciful, constantly giving instead.

I hope from this poem you learn that you should
Depart from all evil and only do good
With justice the Lord always is satisfied
And from those who fear Him He never will hide.

The mouth of the righteous speaks only what’s right
And wisdom and justice are his great delight
In his heart is hidden the law of his God
His steps will be solid wherever he plod.

Be sure that the wicked will soon be cut down
But your generations forever abound
So don’t be dismayed when they try to assail
The Lord cares for you and will cause them to fail.

So wait on the Lord and stay fixed on His path
You’ll get the Lord’s blessing, the wicked -His wrath
Although they have flourished like massive green trees
They’ll soon pass away and be gone like a breeze.

So note the upright and the blameless observe
A life full of peace now for them is reserved
I’ve said it before but must say it once more
Transgressors have nothing but trouble in store.

Salvation for righteous will come from the Lord
His help and deliv’rance a certain reward
He’ll give them His strength to endure the hard day
Because they have trusted in Him all the way.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 37 (Part 1)

Don’t be jealous of those who do bad
Don’t be coveting the things they have
It won’t be long ‘till their life is o’er
And all their prosperity will be no more.

Trust in the Lord and do good everyday
And plant your feet on His narrow way
Delight yourself in what He requires
He’ll satisfy all your heart’s desires.

Give Him control of the path you take
Entrust to Him all the plans you make
Before you know it your life will shine
With goodness and justice and life divine.

So, rest in the Lord and wait for Him
Don’t fret or be anxious ‘bout those who sin
Don’t focus on the things that sinners do
Don’t be angry ‘cause it’s not good for you.

In just a little while they will be no more
But waiting on the Lord will open new doors
For all their boasting they’ll have nothing to show
But, rivers of peace o’er the meek will flow.

Tho against the godly the wicked may plot
The Lord will bring all their plans to naught
Tho they bend the bow and draw their sword
They’ll self-destruct, so laughs the Lord.

Far better than the riches of the wicked throngs
Is the little that to the righteous belongs
The abundance of the sinner will soon be shattered
While the Lord regards those who did what mattered.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 36

The sinner listens to his heart
Deceived by sin and hate
And in his eyes no fear of God
Believes that he is great.

Throughout the night he dreams up more
And plans his evil ways
Devoid of wisdom or of good
Just wickedness displays.

But, oh how great Your mercies, Lord
Your faithfulness to us
Extending to the heav’ns above
In Thee we place our trust.

Like mountains tall Your righteousness
Your judgments deep and wide
Both man and beast draw life from You
Under Your wings they hide.

Your lovingkindness, oh, how sweet
By Your abundance filled
Rivers and fountains of delights
With life and light instilled.

Extend Your mercies, Lord, to us
To all who walk upright
But may the proud and wicked ones
Be thrust out from Your sight.

© 2014 J Dan Small