Psalms – Page 4 – The Consolations of Writing

“For mercies countless as the sands…”

John Newton, the famous hymn writer and pastor, certainly knew how to reflect on his life. Never forgetting his former life as a slave trader, womaniser and general no-good, he always approached life with a grateful heart, forever marvelling at the “amazing grace” he had known in his later life. One birthday, towards the endContinue reading ““For mercies countless as the sands…””

Thanksgiving

Today is my birthday, and as I have approached this day I have thought about Psalm 116:12, which asks, “How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?” I have written a poem to reflect on this thought – inspired by Christina Rossetti’s lovely poem, “A Birthday“. I hope you enjoy reading it.Continue reading “Thanksgiving”

Psalm 130: Butterfly Cinquain

Waiting Like the watchmen Expectant for the dawn As yet invisible but soon Rising On wings Of resurrection glory now Lifting out of the depths The waiting ones With joy

12 Poets #1: Despair (After George Herbert’s “Deniall”)

The next George Herbert poem I am going to respond to is one called “Deniall” (his curious spelling, not mine). It’s one of his darker poems, but also one of the best examples of his mastery of poetic form. 20th-century poet W.H. Auden wrote that Herbert possessed a “gift for securing musical effects by varyingContinue reading “12 Poets #1: Despair (After George Herbert’s “Deniall”)”

The Answer

I am between writing projects at the moment, my liturgical poems on hold for a month until the last day in the calendar that I have yet to write about – Ascension Day at the start of May – and being yet to begin my Christian poets project (which you can expect to see meContinue reading “The Answer”

In the Shadow

One of my favourite passages in the Bible is Psalm 91, with its beautiful opening statement that “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most Hight / will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”. Here is a poem that I have written based around that psalm – the next in the series ofContinue reading “In the Shadow”

Desert Tears

This is the first in a number of poems that I am writing based around psalms that have been significant throughout my life. I am writing them as part of a memoir project in which I am using the psalms as a way of communicating my spiritual journey over the last few years. I hopeContinue reading “Desert Tears”