9/28/09

Psalm 51

Lord, what is man that You give him the gift of understanding and hands to serve Your purpose?
~~How brilliant is Your power that You give man unceasing answers to the universe!

Though the lion is master of the land and the great white shark the ocean,
~~You give man, the universal predator, all this, and greater still, the means to help and heal.

What is man that You extend his gifts by galaxies,
~~and more, You ever make him to become as great as You intend him to be.


9/23/09

One-Third Mark

Dear Friends,

I've reached the one-third mark. I've posted 50 psalms. The project is to compose 150 psalms, the number in the biblical Book of Psalms. Others have taken on this challenge. My goal is to offer the Baha’i perspective. The Baha’i Faith is the most recent of the divinely-revealed religions, bringing the urgently-needed principles of justice among the nations of the world. I hope you will follow the links to the Baha’i websites which I’ve posted. Thanks to those who have visited. I always welcome your comments along this journey which is at once an ancient path and a timely message.

I’ve taken inspiration from these words written by Baha’u’llah (1817-1892), Founder of the Baha’i Faith: “Through the movement of Our Pen of glory We have, at the bidding of the omnipotent Ordainer, breathed a new life into every human frame, and instilled into every word a fresh potency.” Thank you for joining me on this journey of personal renewal.

Loving greetings,
Marley




9/20/09

Psalm 50 (after biblical psalm 133)


Consider, how fair and how favorable it is for peoples to live as one in unity!

It is like the refreshing water over the valley, that purified the fertile journey of every nation, religion, even the good Samaritan:
~~the living word that forgave every parched slope on the path to everlasting life;

As the juice of ripened fruit, and as the juice of sanctified fruit that delivered the Father's law upon Mount Carmel:
~~for there He is known by the fruit of His command, that finally we love one another, even as we are loved by the Lord.

Biblical Psalm 133


Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!


It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard:
~~that went down to the skirts of his garments;

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:
~~for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.








9/16/09

Psalm 49 (a lament)

Nameless, I begin, Lord of All Names;
~~pulled wingless by children, Origin of Flight and Air, I am lower than a fly.

I stand without the world, Father of Creation,
~~nothing but a weary witness to its end.

They call me American, fierce eagle, proud;
~~they summon my keen sight to their aim: where is Your greater height?

They imagine me woman, title me white, shifting as moonlight in a stream;
~~they set my place at once above my reach yet beneath their feet: where is Your gender bridge?

They christen me in their tradition, now on a mountain, down in a valley, like a mule weighted with notions;
~~they announce their conclusions for the sake of echo: where is Your initial word?

Name me Your child, Lord, and I will be born to You;
~~I will live where isle and land are a reflection of heaven and every sound in Jerusalem is new.

9/13/09

Psalm 48

Lift my ear to Your nearness, Lord;
~~Make me like a chuck in the winter wood,

Roused from deepest sleep and slow
~~By the early crocus licking lips of snow.


9/11/09

Psalm 47

Trust in the Lord is a wondrous thing,
~~for faith is favor from the first and gain from the beginning.

Scientist and seeker ponder on shores of known and new,
~~ explorers sail on a shimmering veil,
~~yet those who quest share a hopeful horizon: trust is a divinely human thing.

When the tempest tests, courage pounds in the pilgrim’s chest;
~~when gale winds gust, his breast sounds a brave blast.

Then is he awakened to his hidden heart, aware of silent air, avowed in God,
~~his Lord alone, invisible, faithful, essential;
~~then is he alive in awe, alove in wonder: trust is a freely-given thing.




9/6/09

Psalm 46

Happy the one whose mouth marks silence concerning the weaknesses of others,
~~and strengthened like the russet vixen as she secretly shifts her kits to a new den.