Bible Stories: Job (Chapter XXXX)
The Lord then said to Job:
Can critics argue with the Lord?
Who corrects, lets him reply God.
Job answered God and said:
Behold, I’m insignificant!
What can I tell God, brilliant?
Over my mouth, I’ve put my hand;
Although, I’ve spoken once, twice and
I’m silent: You can reprimand!
The Lord told Job, out of the storm:
Gird up your loins and speak up, man!
Answer my queries, if you can.
Do you not acknowledge my right?
Do you unjustly condemn, fight?
Have you an arm like that of God?
Can voice of yours thunder like Lord?
Can you adorn in majesty?
Can you be swathed in own glory?
Can you like Him be in grandeur?
Can you radiate your splendor?
Can you unleash your wrath’s fury?
Can you tear down wicked jury?
Or bring the haughty down by a glance?
Or bury them in dust sans lance?
Or jail them hidden for their dance?
If ‘yes’, your hand can save you too.
I made Behemoth like an ox,
To feed on grass unlike a fox;
With strength in loins so much bigger,
And belly-sinews with vigor!
He carries tail cedar alike;
His thigh-bone sinews cable-like;
Like tubes of bronze, resemble bones;
His frame is like iron and stones.
He came on early in God’s ways,
Was made taskmaster in his days;
The produce of the mountains came;
All other wild beasts were his game.
He lay under the lotus trees,
In swamp with reeds and shade and breeze;
The poplars stood around on banks;
He slept, undisturbed like in tanks!
Despite the river’s violent pranks,
He lay in utmost tranquil ranks.
Who could capture him by his eyes?
Who dare pierce his nose with a vice?
Can Leviathan be led hooked?
His nose with rope could not be looked;
None could pierce his cheek with a gaff;
Some tons of food, he used to quaff.
Will such a creature plead with you?
Will he ever turn slave to you?
Will he talk tenderly to you?
Can you with him, play like birds do?
Can you leash him for your maidens?
Can you keep him within a fence?
Could traders bargain to buy him?
Could they divide him by their whim?
Can you stick barbs onto his hide?
His head with spears, can you him ride?
When once you lay your hand on him,
Your life had turned forever grim!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-16-2007
poem by John Celes
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Related quotes
Bible Stories: Job (Chapter XX)
Zophar, the Naamathite then spoke:
My spirit has a reply now;
My thoughts provide an answer, Oh!
I feel ashamed to hear your words,
That clearly speaks ill of the Lord’s.
From olden times, since man was made,
The triumph of the wicked fade;
The impious cannot enjoy,
The things on earth since when a boy.
Although his pride goes heaven-high,
And head in cloud-nine trys to fly,
He perishes like his fire
That lights his funeral pyre.
His flight is dream-like when it came,
And fades vision-like sans a name;
He never is found anywhere,
And vanishes into thin air!
The vigor of his youthful frame,
Is made to lie in dust with shame;
The evil of his mouth is sweet,
Under his tongue, hidden so neat.
He cannot let the habit die;
His food like venom too does lie;
The riches gulped, he vomits all,
Disowned by his own belly-wall.
He drinks the poison of the asps;
The viper’s fangs kill him like wasps;
He never sees milk, honey, oil,
Nor enjoys fruits of his own toil.
With greed he lives on earth life-long,
Dissatisfied by wealth got wrong;
God never bestows him right clime;
He never prospers any time!
In dire straits, he’s thrown at last;
God sends His fury very fast;
Missiles of war are rained on him,
His life is turned so quickly grim.
Should he escape the first weapon,
Terrors galore shall he fall on;
In store for him lies pitch darkness
And raging fire sans harness.
The earth revolts against him soon;
Heavens reveal his guilt by noon;
His house is washed away by floods;
God’s anger denies him all goods.
This is the heritage of men-
Wicked in eyes of God, Heaven!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-5-2007
poem by John Celes
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Bible Stories: Job (Chapter XXVII)
Job Speaks On:
The ways of God, I will reveal;
His dealings, I will not conceal;
Embittered has the Lord, my soul;
Yet, I won’t speak anything foul.
My lips shall speak only the truth;
My tongue shall not tell things uncouth;
I stand by what I say till death;
Injustice, I will not bequeath.
My heart reproaches not my days;
O let my foes have unjust ways;
Wickedness, I’m ready to face;
I’ll maintain my innocent gaze.
What can the impious expect,
When lying on the verge of death?
Will God hear his cry with respect,
When peril strikes before last breath?
Will impious for help ask God?
Will he implore upon the Lord?
Have you not seen the wicked talk?
Without their God, all life, they walk!
Although, he has children many,
The sword becomes their destiny;
His offspring shall not receive bread,
No one will bury them, when dead!
His silver-dust though be a mound,
And garments can the world confound,
The innocent, his wealth begets,
Enjoying clothes and all his debts.
His house like cobwebs disappears,
He lives forever with his fears;
All that he has is lost o’er-night;
He opens eyes but can’t see light!
The Tempest puts him off his base;
The storm sweeps him out of his place!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-8-2007
poem by John Celes
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Psalm 44
Oh Lord we hear the tales
Of saints from long ago
Who came into your presence
And in your Spirit, flow
Your Shekinah fell like morning dew
Upon them one and all
Your glory and your majesty
Before your throne they fall
Its by the light of countenance
That we take the promised land
Its by your strength and your right arm
That we walk hand in hand
But now o Lord you've cast us off
And put us all to shame
The enemy comes and takes from us
And we shall never be the same
Arise O Lord, please do not sleep
Why do you hide your face
Our souls are bowed down to the dust
We cry out for your grace
poem by Frank McEleny
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Gospel Plow
Mary wore three links of chain,
Every link was jesus name,
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on,
Oh, lord, oh, lord,
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.
Mary, mark and luke and john,
All them prophets so good and gone,
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on,
Oh, lord, oh, lord,
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.
Well I never been to heaven, but Ive been told,
Streets up there are lined with gold,
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on,
Oh, lord, oh, lord,
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.
Oh, lord, oh, lord,
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.
Oh, lord, oh, lord,
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.
song performed by by Bob Dylan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Psalm 03
Aug. 9.
When He Fled From Absalom.
Lord how many are my foes
How many those
That in arms against me rise
Many are they
That of my life distrustfully thus say,
No help for him in God there lies.
But thou Lord art my shield my glory,
Thee through my story
Th' exalter of my head I count
Aloud I cry'd
Unto Jehovah, he full soon reply'd
And heard me from his holy mount.
I lay and slept, I wak'd again,
For my sustain
Was the Lord. Of many millions
The populous rout
I fear not though incamping round about
They pitch against me their Pavillions.
Rise Lord, save me my God for thou
Hast smote ere now
On the cheek-bone all my foes,
Of men abhor'd
Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the Lord;
Thy blessing on thy people flows.
poem by John Milton
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Bible Stories: Job (Chapter X)
I speak with bitterness of soul,
‘I hate my life; don’t prove me wrong.
O God, why do you oppose me?
Does oppression give pleasure, Lord? ’
‘Why spurn the good work of your hands?
Can’t you perceive like how man sees?
Is your lifetime akin mortals?
You know I’m not a wicked man,
And yet you seek my sins and guilt! ’
‘You fashioned me with your own hands
And then, why destroy me, O God?
From clay, you made me very well
Do you want to turn me to dust? ’
‘Like milk, you poured me, made me cheese!
You clothed my bones with flesh and skin;
You gave me grace and spirit too;
You hide your purpose in your heart! ’
‘You watch me sin but suffer guilt;
If I’m wicked, alas for me!
If righteous, what’s the advantage
To live in shame and afflicted? ’
‘A lion-like, you hunt me down
And show your mighty power, Lord;
Repeatedly, you attack me
And harass me, so often, God.’
‘Why out of womb, you brought me live?
I should have died without notice;
Had I ne’er lived, how much better?
From womb, you could have shown my tomb! ’
‘Are not my days on earth just few?
Leave me ’lone to recoup a bit,
Before I go to ne’er return,
From land of darkness and of gloom-
The land where darkness is but light! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-29-2007
poem by John Celes
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Bible Stories: Job (Chapter XXIX)
Job spoke anew:
If I were like I used to be,
In days of past when God watched me,
When shining was His lamp o’er-head,
In darkness safely, I was led,
And flourishing were all those days,
And sheltered was my tent by God;
The Almighty stood by my ways,
And children stayed with my dear Lord.
My lands flowed with milk and honey;
I was wealthy with much money;
Over the rock flowed streams of oil;
God blessed me far more than my toil!
And when I neared the city-gate,
The elders rose to greet and wait;
And silent stood the top-ranked men:
My counsel to pay heed, listen.
Ev’n princes were afraid to talk,
As I began my stately walk;
And once I spoke, no queries came,
They did as though they were all tame!
In rain and sun, they heard my words,
And drank in thirst like summer-herds;
I gave my reassuring glance,
And smiled as they began to dance.
King-like, I used to then preside,
As God within me did reside;
Consoling those who needed it,
And blessing them in manner fit.
They commended my great advice;
My words came from a heart so wise;
I helped the poor and downtrodden,
The widows and every orphan.
I wore a garb of honesty-
A robe akin a majesty;
To people blind, I was their eye,
And to the lame, their foot was I.
To needy was I like father;
I learned problems of each stranger;
I broke the jaws of wicked men,
And freed from them women, children.
In my own nest, I grew up wise;
A phoenix like, I would arise;
To waters spread all of my roots,
And branches duly bore their fruits.
Such immense glory filled my land;
Strong were my arrows, bow and hand!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-8-2007
poem by John Celes
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Earth Day,2008
Save planet earth;
Save earth from man;
Save all species,
Including man!
Man spills the oil
Upon the seas,
And kills the fish,
Birds, ruthlessly!
Man steals the shelf
Of coral reef,
And ruins grounds
Where fishes breed.
Man flattens hills,
Breaks mountains whole,
For granite stones:
So climes vary.
Man warms the earth
In many ways,
And makes the hole
In ozone sky.
Man shifts the weight
On earth’s surface,
By sky-scrapers:
And born are quakes
Man deforests
For farming lands;
Wild beasts come out
To eat his crops.
Man poaches beasts
For skin and bones,
And builds reserves
To save species.
Man sinks bore-wells
For raising crops,
And drought occurs
As trees are cut.
Man pollutes air
And water, soil;
Diseases come
New, unheard of.
Man makes genes too,
And clones some beasts;
But can’t breathe life
To things he makes.
Man kills his own
Through abortions,
And brags he does
For Eugenics.
Man wastes money
And resources,
While people starve
To death, in crowds.
Man spoils Nature
In many ways,
But takes not blame
For blunders made.
Man does most things
In stupid ways,
Quite hazardous
To human race.
Man acts like God
In every field
But cannot ape
The Maker’s feat.
Man boasts with pride
The things he makes;
Not one seems good
Like how God made.
Mother Nature
Has her balance;
Let man align
To her, sweet ways.
No man can beat
The Maker’s feat;
No creature can
Surpass the Lord!
Save planet earth;
Save earth from man;
Save all species,
Including man!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-16-2008
poem by John Celes
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Psalm 86
Thy gracious ear, O Lord, encline,
O hear me I thee pray,
For I am poor, and almost pine
With need, and sad decay.
Preserve my soul, for *I have trod Heb. I am good, loving,
Thy waies, and love the just, a doer of good and
Save thou thy servant O my God holy things
Who still in thee doth trust.
Pity me Lord for daily thee
I call; 4 O make rejoyce
Thy Servants Soul; for Lord to thee
I lift my soul and voice,
For thou art good, thou Lord art prone
To pardon, thou to all
Art full of mercy, thou alone
To them that on thee call.
Unto my supplication Lord
Give ear, and to the crie
Of my incessant praiers afford
Thy hearing graciously.
I in the day of my distress
Will call on thee for aid;
For thou wilt grant me free access
And answer, what I pray'd.
Like thee among the gods is none
O Lord, nor any works
Of all that other Gods have done
Like to thy glorious works.
The Nations all whom thou hast made
Shall come, and all shall frame
To bow them low before thee Lord,
And glorifie thy name.
For great thou art, and wonders great
By thy strong hand are done,
Thou in thy everlasting Seat
Remainest God alone.
Teach me O Lord thy way most right,
I in thy truth will hide,
To fear thy name my heart unite
So shall it never slide.
Thee will I praise O Lord my God
Thee honour, and adore
With my whole heart, and blaze abroad
Thy name for ever more.
For great thy mercy is toward me,
And thou hast free'd my Soul
Eev'n from the lowest Hell set free
From deepest darkness foul.
O God the proud against me rise
And violent men are met
To seek my life, and in their eyes
No fear of thee have set.
But thou Lord art the God most mild
Readiest thy grace to shew,
Slow to be angry, and art stil'd
Most mercifull, most true.
O turn to me thy face at length,
And me have mercy on,
Unto thy servant give thy strength,
And save thy hand-maids Son.
Some sign of good to me afford,
And let my foes then see
And be asham'd, because thou Lord
Do'st help and comfort me.
poem by John Milton
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Through Every Day
The Lord has and shall always; see me through all my days,
Whatever will come before me, His Gracious hand I will see,
As my life The Lord does guide, with my Savior by my side,
Through any task, large or small, He's the Lord God over all.
I seek God's face in the morning, before any trial or warning,
When talking to Him, anywhere, my Lord God's always there,
I just share what's on my heart, knowing to me He will impart,
Calm, for another day down here, as I cast to Him every fear.
I always reach the Throne of Grace, any time, from any place,
To talk about issues at hand, all things I may not understand,
God may not alter the day ahead, but He's always, like I said,
There, whenever I need to talk, anywhere along my daily walk.
Each day from beginning to end, I speak to God, as a friend,
Who helps me with doubt I face, to supply the needed grace,
Always an ear along the way, to help me through another day,
And in God, I'm always assured, I am in the Hand of my Lord.
In my days, as they come and go, this for sure I always know,
I'm guided by The Lord above, who leads me daily in His love,
And when I pause to talk to Him, He fills me with peace within,
Through the day into the night, He is always, my guiding Light.
Bible Stories: Jonah (Part IV)
Chapter 4:
What God had done, displeased Jonah;
In angry mood, he prayed,
‘I knew You’ll show clemency, Lord,
That’s why at first, I fled! ’
‘You’re a gracious, merciful God,
You’re slow to punish men;
And this is what I had said then;
You’re slow to anger, Lord! ’
‘Lord, take away my life from me,
’Tis better, I be dead! ’
God asked him, ‘Is your anger just? ’
Jonah had not replied.
He left the city to its east,
And built him small a hut;
And in its shade, waited to see,
What happened to men, beast!
God made a gourd plant grow over,
To give him more of shade;
Jonah was happy with cover,
His discomfort did fade!
Next day, God sent a worm to kill
The plant which withered fast;
The scorching sun then made him ill,
To faint, he turned almost.
The sun made Jonah angry more,
‘Better I die, ’ he said;
When God asked him, he thus replied,
‘The plant’s death made me sore! ’
And then the Lord explained Jonah,
‘You feel for gourd, not own.
You neither sowed the seed, nor raised,
The plant that lived one night! ’
‘Concerned are you, about a plant
For which you labored not;
And when it perished over-night,
You’re angry enough to die! ’
‘Oh, should I not show concern for
Great Nineveh city?
One twenty thousand men live there,
And beasts- what a pity? ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 4-25-2007
poem by John Celes
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Bible Stories: Jonah (Part II)
Chapter 2:
The Lord then sent a mighty fish
That swallowed Jonah whole;
And in its belly dark, he stayed,
For three days and three nights.
And from the belly of the fish,
Jonah prayed to the Lord:
‘In distress great, I call You God:
I cry to You for help! ’
Into the heart of sea, You cast
Me forth and flood covered;
I thought I was forever lost;
Would I see your temple?
The swirling sea threatened my life;
Sea-weeds clung to my head;
I plunged into the sea-abyss;
You brought me from the pit!
A giant fish then gulped me whole,
My soul fainted in me;
I prayed to You for mercy, Lord,
You heard my plaintive voice.
I praised You, Lord with all my heart
And vowed to sacrifice;
Deliver me from fish, O God:
Jonah was spat ashore!
(4-25-2007)
poem by John Celes
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Psalm 10
Arise oh God and lift up your hand
For all around the wicked do stand
Like a lion in the den, they secretly wait
Crouched at the door, waiting at the gate
To devour the just and destroy without cause
To oppress the poor and all without pause
And no appeal to the wicked can make them budge
They neither consider their end, nor consider the Judge
Who is the Lord and King forever
And who holds time in His hand
It you Lord, bringing justice to the fatherless
And causing the righteous to stand
And on that day, when the Lord takes His place
The wicked will hide, they will cover their face
And they will cry out ' we were ignorant you see'
Yet forever in darkness they forever shall be
poem by Frank McEleny
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Grey
You always say
That your life's been thrown away
That's why you turn to a man upstairs
And pray he'll save you everyday
Don't come around no more
Save your soul in the eyes of the lord
Don't come around no more
Save your soul in the eyes of the lord
Long years go by
As you still sit to wonder why
Your voice can't scream out loud
And your mind's been trapped inside
Don't come around no more
Save your soul in the eyes of the lord
Don't come around no more
Save your soul in the eyes of the lord
Burn yourself down
Bring yourself down
Burn yourself down
Bring yourself down
You know I'm drowning in myself
Drowning in myself
You know I'm drowning in myself
Don't come around no more
Save your soul in the eyes of the lord
Don't come around no more
Save your soul in the eyes of the lord
Don't come around no more
Save your soul in the eyes of the lord
Don't come around no more
Save your soul in the eyes of the lord
Burn yourself down
Bring yourself down
Burn yourself down
Bring yourself down
song performed by by Green Lizard from Identity
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bible in Poetry: Revelation 6
The Seals:
1As I was watching Lamb open
The first of seven seals, by then,
I heard one of the creatures four
Utter in voice like thunder, 'Come! '
2 I looked, and there before me stood
A horse, all white! rider with bow;
He was given a crown, and then,
He rode out like a conqueror,
With mind and heart, on conquest bent.
3When Lamb opened the second seal,
The second creature said then, 'Come! '
4 A fiery horse, all red came out!
And to its rider was given,
The pow’r to take off peace from earth,
And make men slay one another.
To him was given a large sword.
5When Lamb opened the third seal then,
I heard the third creature say, 'Come! '
I looked, and there before me stood
A horse, all black! Its rider held
A pair of scales in his one hand.
6And then, I heard a voice amongst
The four living creatures, saying,
'A quart of wheat for a day's wage;
Three quarts of barley, for a day's wage;
Do not damage the oil and wine! '
7When Lamb opened the fourth seal then,
I heard the fourth creature say, 'Come! '
8 I looked, and lo, before me stood,
A horse, all pale! rider named Death;
Hades followed him, closely behind.
They’ere given the power to kill,
Over a fourth of the earth’s men,
By sword, plague, famine, and wild beasts.
9 And when He opened the fifth seal,
I saw under the altar, souls
Of those, who had been slain because
Of testimony to God’s Word,
That they ‘ad maintained until their end.
10They all called out in loud a voice,
'How long, Lord, Sovereign, holy, true,
Until You judge the earth’s peoples,
Avenging blood of ours, they shed? '
11 Each one received a robe of white,
And told to wait a bit longer,
Until the number of fellow
Servants and brothers to be killed,
Was completed as expected.
12 And when He opened the sixth seal,
There was a great earthquake on earth.
The sun had turned so black, as if
It was a sack-cloth of goat-hair,
And moon in full had turned blood-red,
13 And stars from sky fell onto earth,
Like late figs dropping from fig-tree,
When shaken by a strong, fierce wind.
14 The sky then rolled up like a scroll,
And every mountain and island,
Was taken off its place on globe.
15The earth’s kings, princes and generals,
The rich, the mighty, and all slaves,
And every free man hid in caves,
And ’mongst the rocks of the mountains.
16They called the mountains and the rocks,
'Oh, fall on us and hide us please,
From face of Him, who sits on throne,
And from the wrath of Lamb of God!
17For, Day of wrath great has now come,
And who can ever, ever stand? '
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-14-2007
poem by John Celes
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Lovers Prayer
Lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
Lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
Lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
Just wanna be with my love tonight
I dont want no jive artists calling me on the telephone
Dont wanna watch the carson show all alone
I just wanna lay back, take my rest
With the one I loves head resting on my chest
Lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
Lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
Lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
Just wanna be with my love tonight
And I dont want my best friends even coming round
cos if they do I might put em down
Carsons over and the lights way down low
And all I got, I got a heart full of soul
Lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
I said, lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
I said, lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
Just wanna be with my love tonight
And its a lovers prayer, oh yes it is
Takes a little time, takes a little care, yeah, yeah, yeah
And when it gets way on in the midnight hour
I just wanna play my guitar
I just wanna see you smile, touch your face
Be with you in my own place
Lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
I said, lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
Lord, lord, lord, lord, lord
Just wanna be with my love tonight
Just wanna be with my love tonight
Just wanna be with my love tonight
song performed by by Van Morrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bible Stories: Job (Chapter XXXV)
You mean to say you are more just
Than Almighty God who is first?
There is no advantage, you say
In being sinless, any day!
I can reply you and your friends;
Behold the skies that seem sans ends;
Look at the heavens higher up;
Don’t sins give God a bitter cup?
How do your sins injure the Lord?
Although many, can they hurt God?
By righteousness, how do we serve?
Does it add to our earthly verve?
Our wickedness affects just men,
And justice, only fellowmen;
In oppression, men cry to God;
When they want help, they seek the Lord.
Men ask, ‘Where’s God, most divine,
Who made man wiser than beasts’ fine? ’
Though thus, they cry to God with pride,
The Maker takes not wicked’s side.
To say that God does not then hear,
Or notices the man so dear,
Is vanity of extreme kind:
Which God does not bother or mind!
Though man isn’t able to see God,
His case will come before the Lord;
Should man not wait for fear of rod?
To do things otherwise, looks odd!
God punishes such souls on earth;
He cares not what happens since birth;
The words of Job are purposeless;
He rambles speech that’s so aimless.
poem by John Celes
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Bible Stories: Job (Chapter IX)
Then Job said, ‘I know truth is so.
But can man justify with God?
By arguments, he can’t win God;
God’s wise in heart and almighty.’
Who dares the Lord and be unscathed?
God moves mountains before we know;
God overturns them in anger!
He shakes the earth out of her place.
Pillars beneath tremble thereof;
He orders sun and it doesn’t rise;
He seals up stars, stretching heavens;
He treads upon crests of sea-waves;
He made the Bear, Orion, Pleiades,
And constellations of the south;
He does great things ‘’yond reckoning’
He goes by me, I see Him not.
He passes by, I perceive not;
Should He seize me, who can ask why?
Who dare ask him, what do You do?
If God relents not, who can ask?
The proud helpers stoop under Him;
How shall I answer him much less?
Or enter into argument?
Though I be right, I couldn’t answer.
But make my supplication plea;
Had I called Him and He answered;
I couldn’t believe He’d heard my voice;
For, tempest-like, He o’er-whelms me.
He multiples my wounds sans cause;
He won’t wish me to take my breath,
But fills me with bitterness, griefs;
In strength, He’s strong and Almighty.
If I am right, I still can’t prove;
In Judgment, who can dare question?
If right, my mouth shall condemn me;
If innocent, He proves me wrong;
If perfect ev’n, yet, I wouldn’t know;
And then I would despise my life;
He destroys righteous and those wrong;
If scourge suddenly slays, He laughs;
He gives the earth to wicked hands;
He covers faces of judges;
My days are swifter than a post;
They flee away sans happiness.
Like eagle that hastens to prey;
If I can forget my complaint,
I’ll be less sad and in more cheer;
I am afraid of all my pains.
If I be washed with snow-water
And cleanse my hands so clean with lye,
Yet, you would plunge me in the ditch
And my own clothes shall abhor me;
For, He is not a man like me,
That I should answer him better,
And should we come in judgment both,
There’s no arbiter to deal alike!
I know I’m held not innocent;
If I’m wicked, why strive in vain?
O let Him take His rod from me,
And let His fear not frighten me;
So that, I may speak without fear,
But this is not the case with me.
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Psalm 140
O Lord you have seen my afflictions
Come now and deliver me
You see how they bind and chain me
Break these chains and set me free
O Lord I am caught in a mighty storm
Arise and say ' be still.'
I know when you speak but a single word
All creation must bow to your will
O Lord how the wicked would kill me
They despise me and would see me dead
Yet you deliver me from all of my fears
It's by the word that you speak I am fed
O Lord in my flesh I would hate them
Yet what should I do instead?
For you have called me to love them despite all
And heap coals of fire on then head
I will yield in the flesh to the Lord my God
And I shall turn the other cheek
And when I'm compelled to walk just one mile
I'll walk two, for thy presence I seek
For my battle is not against flesh and blood
Or the people that I can see
I battle against the unseen powers
You defeated on dark Calvary
I am sustained in this life by the presence of God
Though poor, I am fed by Hid hand
You give to me the waters of life
And on Calvary's victory I'll shall stand
poem by Frank McEleny
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The Devoted
It was a beautiful turn given by a great lady, who being asked where
her husband was, when he lay concealed for having been deeply concerned
in a conspiracy, resolutely answered, that she had hidden him. This confession
caused her to be carried before the governor, who told her that
nought but confessing where she had hidden him, could save her from the
torture. “And will that do?” said she. “Yes,” replied the governor, “I
will pass my word for your safety, on that condition.” “Then,” replied
she, “I have hidden him in my heart, where you may find him.”
Stern faces were around them bent, and eyes of vengeful ire,
And fearful were the words they spake of torture, stake, and fire:
Yet calmly in the midst she stood, with eye undimm'd and clear,
And though her lip and cheek were white, she wore no sign of fear.
“Where is thy traitor spouse?” they said;—a half-form'd smile of scorn,
That curl'd upon her haughty lip, was back for answer borne;—
“Where is thy traitor spouse?” again, in fiercer notes, they said,
And sternly pointed to the rack, all rusted o'er with red!
Her heart and pulse beat firm and free—but in a crimson flood,
O'er pallid lip and cheek and brow, rush'd up the burning blood;
She spake, but proudly rose her tones, as when in hall or bower,
The haughtiest chief that round her stood had meekly own'd their power;
“My noble lord is placed within a safe and sure retreat”—
“Now tell us where, thou lady bright, as thou wouldst mercy meet,
Nor deem thy life can purchase his—he cannot ‘scape our wrath,
For many a warrior's watchful eye is placed o'er every path.
“But thou may'st win his broad estates to grace thine infant heir,
And life and honour to thyself, so thou his haunts declare.”
She laid her hand upon her heart; her eye flash'd proud and clear,
And firmer grew her haughty tread—“My lord is hidden here!
“And if ye seek to view his form, ye first must tear away,
From round his secret dwelling place these walls of living clay!”
They quail'd beneath her haughty glance, they silent turn'd aside,
And left her all unharm'd amidst her loveliness and pride!
poem by Elizabeth Margaret Chandler from Poetical Works (1836)
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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