This fall, I’m leading a bible study on the Psalms and wrote two short pieces inspired by Psalm 1 and 23. I’m sharing them paired with a lovely translation by Nan Merrill and a setting of the 23rd psalm by Isaac Watts.
Ps 1
To be happy, don’t be a jerk. Bask in the divine glow. Cultivate and delight in wisdom. Be like a tree whose roots drink in water and branches burst forth fruit season after season. Wicked ways lead to withered days.
Ps 23
God is my guide: leading and feeding me, calming my anxiety, nourishing my soul. You are here when death is near, when life is crap and scary. You point out a clear path. Your presence is peace. In the mess, you bless more than I could ever ask.
Psalm 1
by Nan C. Merrill (b. 1931)1
Blessed are those
who walk hand in hand
with goodness,
who stand beside virtue,
who sit in the seat of truth;
For their delight is in the Spirit of Love,
and in Love’s heart they dwell
day and night.
They are like trees planted by
streams of water,
that yield fruit in due season,
and their leaves flourish;
And in all that they do, they give life.
The unloving are not so;
they are like dandelions which
the wind blows away.
Turning from the Heart of Love
they will know suffering and pain.
They will be isolated from wisdom;
for Love knows the way of truth,
the way of ignorance will perish.
Psalm 23
by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)2
My shepherd will supply my Need, Jehovah is his Name; In Pastures fresh he makes me feed Beside the living Stream. He brings my wand'ring Spirit back When I forsake his Ways, And leads me for his Mercy's Sake In Paths of Truth and Grace. When I walk through the Shades of Death, Thy Presence is my Stay; A Word of thy supporting Breath Drives all my Fears away. Thy Hand in Spite of all my Foes Doth still my Table spread, My Cup with Blessings overflows, Thine Oil anoints my Head. The sure Provisions of my God Attend me all my Days; O may thy House be mine Abode, And all my Work be Praise! There would I find a settled Rest, (While others go and come) No more a Stranger or a Guest, But like a Child at Home.
Q: What are some of your favorite poems or hymns based on the Psalms? Email your reply or comment on the Substack app.
1
From from Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness (New York: Continuum, 2003). My spiritual director gave me this book, which I’ve used for the Daily Office in the morning.
2
From The Psalms of David: imitated in the language of the New Testament (1740). There is a good gender-neutral ELCA version from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006).