These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Foundational Trust

Psalm 11, a Poetic Paraphrase:

The Lord is where I put my trust.
Why tell my soul to run away?
The Lord's Foundation, true and just,
more strength than mountain's bird nest stay.

Please, watch, Oh Lord, the wicked bend
their bow to shoot upon the string,
that arrow harsh my heart might rend,
nor more an upright song to sing.

For if foundations be destroyed,
a place to stand be soundly moved,
how can the righteous be employed?
How can their hearts be lately soothed?

The Lord is in His Holy Place,
the Temple, Throne in Heav'n Above.
His eyes behold, His eyelids grace
the sons of men, His lasting Love.

The Lord doth try the righteous ones,
but wicked villains are despised.
The lover of all violence runs,
his soul is hated as devised.

Upon the wicked, He shall rain
His snares, and fire, and brimstone hot.
An awful tempest, crushing gains,
this is their portion, cup, and rot.

The righteous Lord loves righteousness
On every righteous soul to bless.
His countenance doth see, behold
the upright, whom His Arms enfold.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Original Text:

"1 In the Lord put I my trust:
how say ye to my soul,
Flee as a bird to your mountain?

2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow,
they make ready their arrow upon the string,
that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations be destroyed,
what can the righteous do?

4 The Lord is in his holy temple,
the Lord's throne is in heaven:
his eyes behold,
his eyelids try,
the children of men.

5 The Lord trieth the righteous:
but the wicked and
him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares,
fire and brimstone,
and an horrible tempest:
this shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness;
his countenance doth behold the upright."
(Psalm 11:1-7, KJV)

----------------------------------------------------------------

by Jay O’Toole
on September 30th, 2020