Job as per the Psalmist

---

​​In my days of youth, O Lord,
You were my vigour and strength.
When I was young you prospered me,
You tended as a farmer does his tender plants.
Your care enveloped me as a gentle mist.

God's blessings attract those with evil hearts,
Wicked men hate those whom God loves.
The wolf circles and the sheep cry out
"Where is the Shepherd we are to follow?"
The evil one is an accusing whisperer.

Trouble and pain attack me from every side,
There is no refuge for me. The Lord sees
everywhere, where can I hide?
Who will rescue me from this curse?
Who will help me in my affliction?

Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz, my wise councillors!
Tin ears and empty blaring words.
The Lord will not listen to me,
He has turned his face from me. I am lost.
He knows I am innocent and free from sin.

The Lord has true and perfect judgement,
He judges kings and paupers, his summing up
Is perfect, there can be no appeal.
Rich or poor, sinless or wicked, he knows all
Our ways, nothing escapes his eyes.

The Lord is merciful, realise your arrogance,
Recognise and repent of your sin. He wants
to pardon and cleanse, to wash us in his spirit.
He holds out his hand to us, so we must stretch
Out to him. He will be our saviour and protector.

He rocks the very foundations of the earth.
The universe is as nothing to him.
He hides the Sun and shakes the heavens
How can a man know the mind of God?
But fear the Lord and you will learn wisdom.

I bow my head Lord to your power and justice,
How could I have ever doubted them?

The Lord is merciful, his bounty is endless.
what I have lost I have regained twice over,
My barns are overflowing, my herds fill the land.
His praises will ring from my lips and from all my children.
We will exult the glory of the Lord to the very heavens.

---

Graham Nixey

​​​​​​Return to Home page - Articles