An Old Testament Poem in a New Testament Era

In diaconate formation we are studying the Psalms. We learned that a psalm is a Hebrew poem that is still used to this day as a way to pray and worship. We borrow this concept in our own Liturgy of the Hours that we pray throughout the day. A psalm can take on one of five forms:

Praise/Hymns

Laments

Thanksgiving

Royal

Wisdom

The assignment for this class was to pick one of these five forms and write our own psalm. I thought I would share mine with you.

A Song of Exuberance

For the director of music. With 6 string lire, harmonica, and jaw harp.

1 My soul delights; my heart bursts with joy

   My happiness knows no end; ecstasy wells up within me

   For my God is a risen God, great King conquering over death

2 He has shattered my fetters of sin; liberated me from the netherworld

   Paid my ransom with his own blood; his life he poured out for me

   He bought me back from my tormenter; he forgave the debt

3 He restores my soul; my life he makes anew

   He picks me up from out of the dirt and calls me friend

   His mercy is never ending; his love endures for all generations

4 Come then, let us sing praise and worship

   Striking joyfully the timbrel and harp

   Filling his courts with songs of thanksgiving

5 Sing with gladness to the Lord our God

   Fall before him with honor and homage

   And bless his Holy name

6 Know that the Lord is God; King of all creation

   For he is our God and we are his people

   Molded from dust in his image

7 I will love the Lord with my entire being

   Singing joyful praise and offering thanksgiving

   All the days of my life