Poem by Kyle Oliver for prayr.cc (CC BY 2.0)
Photo: “Passage of Time II” by Michael Himbeault via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
A poem in response to Psalm 19 for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (aka Proper 22A):
One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another. (Psalm 19:2)
“The heavens declare”
the psalmist cries
the glory!
the statutes!
the fear! even.
Day by day
night by night
a game
of terrestrial telephone
a relay race
wherein the wisdom of the ages
of the Ageless
passes down
presses forward
imprints anew.
Who knows how often we offend?
Those selfsame witnesses.
The carriers and conduits
of the message from on high
the evening
the morning
the second day
the night thereafter.
No faults escape the
sentries.
If worlds can talk
will ours still praise
in days to come? Or
weary of the tales of men
yes men
impart no melody
save to their Creator
and Redeemer
whose hands, it seems,
are tied.
Psalm 19
(BCP, Public Domain)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect
and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the LORD is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the LORD are just
and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the LORD is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean
and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.