Psalm Songs

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    Some people … have plenty of everything, and never want for anything … but still they want more. …   Some people … they think they are “important people” – more important than those common people … whom they mock and they scorn.
    And when I’m around those people, sometimes I slip and fall.  I want to have everything they have.  I want more.  I want it all.    Because …
    Some people … they never have troubles. For them, life is painless … even when they die.

    Some people … wear their pride like a necklace.  While they clothe themselves in violence … and take advantage of the weak … and poor … and unprotected. Some people … they always think they rule the world … without regard for the science of the earth … without regard for the Lord.
    I understand these people. I know their darkest fears … that someone more powerful will dispossess them.  They’ll lose their lands & possessions; their dominion will disappear. And instead of being the oppressor, they’ll be the oppressed.  

    Some people … need to dominate other people … demonize and hate other people … so they can take more … so they can take more. … How will G-d punish those people?   How will G-d punish their evil?

How happy are they … who refuse to walk.
Among people who choose evil deeds and sin.
They refuse to sit with those who mock and scorn.
They refuse to travel the path of wickedness.

How fortunate are those in awe of God ...
While joyfully observing the Commandments.

Happy to dwell in the house of the Lord and praise the Lord forever. 
How fortunate to find their strength in you.

Oh heal me, HASHEM, for my bones are filled with fear. And favor me with grace, for I waste away. Each night I fill my bed with tears, I am worn out by my grief. Oh save me, for the sake of your great mercy.

Oh, hear me G-d, my plea for grace. And please … oh, please accept my prayer. 
Oh, hear me G-d, my plea for grace. And please … oh, please accept my prayer.

Oh G-d, please stop the pain.  Oh G-d, relieve my soul … this tortured soul that’s so completely terrified. For if I die, I cannot honor you. And from the grave, who’ll sing their praise to you. Oh save me, for the sake of your great mercy.

Oh, hear me G-d, my plea for grace. And please … oh, please accept my prayer. 
Oh, hear me G-d, my plea for grace. And please … oh, please accept my prayer.

     What is a man?   He’s but a series of breaths, as compared to the mountains and the vast ocean depths.  He is but dust … that returns to the earth … at the end of his days.

      What is a man?  He is inclined to be violent, causing pain with his words and disdain with his silence.  He is a light … that will turn into darkness … at the end of his days.

      Hiding in caves, I’m pursued by my foes – broken in spirit and mind.  
Covered by spiders, I hide in the dark, and I struggle with faith through the night.

      I’m not a man; I’m just a worm crushed and flat.  I am all poured out like water; my heart is melted like wax.   I have no strength.  I’m dried up and forsaken.   Who will answer my cries?    Who will answer my cries?

      Raising my eyes, I look towards the mountains.  Where can I turn to for help?  
My help will come through my faith.  Let me not falter … or lose my way.

      I cannot speak; my tongue is cleaved to my teeth.   I am surrounded by beasts … ripping my hands and my feet.   Mocked and despised. I’m alone and I’m left … in the dry dust of death.    In the dry dust of death.  

     Guilty!  I admit I am guilty!   And I pray for the mercy and compassion I don’t deserve. 
     Evil!  I have sinned & done evil! Can I ever be cleansed of my transgressions and my deceits? 
     I know I must pay for all my lies.  For I’ve killed a man and stole his wife. Who will forgive me?    Who will forgive me?  How can I ever be forgiven?  … 
     I wear my shame upon my face.  I tear my clothes to show disgrace.  Purge me with hyssop.  Wash and efface me.  Sterilize my stain.

     Take her!   Why did I have to take her?  Use my guile to rape her and make her surrender to my lust?  
     Secret!   I tried to keep it a secret.  I should’ve known that you can never keep a secret from the Lord.  
     Now everyone can see my indignity.  Now the world knows my iniquities.  Who will forgive me?   Who will forgive me?  How do I beg forgiveness? 
     I know I must pay for what I’ve done.  I’ve ruined my home and damned my sons. Please God restore me.  Save me from bloodshed.  Forge me a new heart. 

     And Lord … be gracious with your mercy;  … abundant with  your compassion. Renew my spirit, and I will teach … sinners to follow your path.   I will teach … contrition finds forgiveness.  I will sing of your righteousness and grace.  
     Open my lips so I can sing my prayer of remorse. 
     Open my lips so I can sing my prayer to the Lord. 

In the midst of sorrow in the midst of grief, You will comfort me.  You will comfort me.
When my spirit’s broken  –  When my faith is weak, You will comfort me.  You will comfort me.
You will comfort me.   You will dry my tears.  You will set my mind at ease.
Knowing that you’re near, I will have no fear.  You will come for me.  You will comfort me.  I will always seek the Lord.

When we slaved in Egypt with no hope in sight, You did rescue us.  You did rescue us.
We were left abandoned and denied your light, But you rescued us. You restored our trust. With your outstretched arm and your mighty hand, You did rescue us once again.  And you brought us on to your promised land.  We were almost crushed, but you rescued us.  We will always trust the Lord.

God of thunderous  -- glorious powers
Your voice soars over the spacious waters
Breaking cedars, raining flames of fire
Lord of light - you're my salvation
Sovereign over … every nation
Ruler of us all … and for all time
Pray that the Lord will give us strength
Pray that the Lord will give us strength
Pray that the Lord will bless humanity with peace

When forsaken by all the ones we love
You will strengthen us.   You will strengthen us.  When we’re full of doubts and devoid of trust.  You will strengthen us.   You will strengthen us.  Teach us patience, Lord.  Lead us on your path.
Lift us on your rock — Shine your light.
Give us courage, Lord.  We await your grace.  You will strengthen us.  You will strengthen us.  We will always trust the Lord  

We’re the hated, homeless refugees, But you’ll gather us.     You will gather us.  You will take us safely … to a place of peace
You will gather us.   You will gather us.  
You will gather us  when we’ve lost our way.    You will shower us … with your grace.  And you’ll shelter us … in your warm embrace.  As you gather us.  And you comfort us.  We will always trust the Lord. 

    I was thrown into a pit of sorrow.  I was sold to be a slave in Egypt.  I was dying for lack of water.  And I did not know the reason.  And I believed … my life was over.
    I was a slave to Pharaoh’s soldiers.  I was a slave inside the quarries.  I was chained when they took my baby boy, and they slayed my child before me.  
     And I believed … my life was over.

    Then came a man.    He spoke of freedom.  He said the Lord would save the children of Israel.  He was only one man.   So they didn’t believe him, until he turned the River Nile red with blood

    I saw frogs in Pharaoh’s palace.  I saw flies and lice abound.  I saw hail for rain and fiery flames and darkness all around.   
    I saw worms devour cattle.  I saw an endless locust swarm.  I heard women scream and grown men weep as they held their dead first-born.   
      And I believed my life was over.

    Then Pharaoh roared:  “Take all these troublesome slaves away.   Let them be exiled.  Let them die without a home.”   So all the slaves … gathered their households in haste, without knowing what to do or where to go.

    We were standing at the Red Sea.  We were trapped by Pharaoh’s army.  We heard people cry:   “Did you lead us here just to die?”   I saw Moses raise his staff.  I saw him wave it over the waters.  I heard screams as people realized Pharaoh’s chariots were charging.   And I believed … my life would be over!

    Then came a wind … spun from the highest heavens above.  It split the waters wide so the Israelites could cross.  As Pharaoh watched, he sent his chariots to chase.  But then the waters closed, swallowed them whole, and took them to their graves.

    I was standing at the sea shore.  I was listening to Miriam sing:  “Who is like unto you, Lord?  Who else can do such wondrous things?”   
    I was dancing with my children.  I was crying tears of joy.  For the miracles I had witnessed and the power of the Lord.  
     And I believed.   Yes, I believed.  We were finally free.