The Last Psalms Class

Tonight is the last Psalms class for Brad and I.  We were auditing the course, so we never had to do the homework or take the tests....that felt really weird to me...like I was cheating or something.  The last assignment was to create a Psalm using some of the things we learned about in the course.  I couldn't resist this assignment.  I had so many ideas of things I could do to make it really creative, maybe more modern, or a theme...but....in the end....it is more about honesty than it is about fancy words or some kind of clever idea.  

And, it is more about crying out a prayer from the heart.   

My injuries are too numerous to count

Like a bruised reed, I cannot hide my scars

My enemies are an invisible kind

I find my eyesight failing to recognize their attacks

They assault my mind with arrows of distraction

They lay mines around my heart with lies

They seduce my soul to trust in myself

With worldly pleasures, they continuously slice paper thin cuts in my lifeline of strength

But, you, O GOD, are my armor and my victory

If I seek you earnestly, you fortify me with Your grace

You will dispel the lies by the light of Your truth

And restore the damaged vine to my lush source of life

Like the first light in the morning, I will find You when I seek You

Because You are willing to be found, Your gentleness falls like evening dew 

Your forgiveness is healing for me

My faith is emboldened and strengthened

O Lord, I praise You for Your deep compassion

All my days are mercifully cleansed by Your blood

O Lord, I worship you in song because of Your love

Through the strength you give me, I belt out my praises 

There is no one worthy of honor, but You

Though my heart is wooed, no one even comes close

Cast down the idols that call out to me
Break them, crush them until they are silenced

Fix my eyes

Center me in Your way, let my roots grow deep

Let me not wander off the right path into destruction

But guide me as I learn submission

Your blessings on me are extravagant

In Your presence, I find joyous delight

I desire to live every moment in the sweetness of Your favor

Consume me with the fire of Your Holiness