Thursday, July 19, 2012

Christian Expressions: Psalm 32 rewritten

The movement of this psalm is incredible.
It begins with heavy words: transgression
                                          sin
                                          iniquity
                                          deceit
                                          guilt
And the psalmist kept silence
                          wasted away
                          groaned
                          felt heavy
                          dried up
Then in v. 5, the psalmist changed behavior, for unknown reasons,
and acknolwedged
       didn't hide
       confessed
God responded with one action: forgiveness

Then there's a major transition in v. 6 - THEREFORE
Therefore, there are faithful who offer prayer and who the water shall not reach.
And God is a hiding place
               preserves
               surrounds with glad cries
Then v. 8-9 change to God in the first person
and God himself promises to instruct
                                            teach
                                            counsel
                                            keep his eye upon you
and warns you not to be without understanding or have a temper to curb.

The psalmist ends with the torments of the wicked
to contrast with the steadfast love
                              trust
and exhortations to be glad
                              rejoice
                              shout for joy
all the upright in heart.                   

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