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Psalm 144 | King James Audio Bible
YouTube: Psalm 144 KJV | King James Audio Bible | Word Aloud | Psalms
Psalm 144 expresses themes of warfare, divine benevolence, human frailty, and societal well-being under the guidance of God. Traditionally held to be authored by David, a king and warrior deeply conscious of his reliance on divine support, the psalm unfolds as both a personal entreaty for victory and protection and a communal hymn envisioning a society flourishing under God’s favour.
The psalm opens with an exaltation of God as source of strength and martial skill, ‘Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.’ This verse acknowledges God’s role in providing the necessary abilities for battle and situates the divine as the central figure in the life and success of the psalmist.
Following this acknowledgment, the psalm ponders the nature of man in relation to the divine, ‘LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!’ This rhetorical question emphasizes the transient, insubstantial nature of human life, ‘Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away,’ highlighting grace inherent in God’s attentiveness to humanity.
As the psalm progresses, David implores God for deliverance from adversaries, invoking dramatic imagery of divine intervention, ‘Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.’ This request depicts a vivid faith in God’s power to effect change in the material world, a faith that underpins the psalmist’s prayers for salvation from external threats.
The narrative then shifts towards a commitment to worship, with the psalmist vowing to sing a new song of praise to God, ‘I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.’ This pledge reflects a response of gratitude and recognition of God’s sustaining grace, attributed with providing salvation to kings and delivering David from peril, ‘It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.’
Concluding verses of the Psalm paint an idyllic picture of blessings that ensue from divine favour: a society marked by prosperity, security, and harmony, ‘That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.’ This vision extends beyond personal deliverance to encompass a collective well-being, culminating in the assertion that true happiness stems from the acknowledgment of the LORD as God, ‘Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.’
Psalm 144 | King James Audio Bible
Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;
Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Psalm 144 | King James Audio Bible
- Divine Strength And Skill In Battle: Acknowledgment of God as the source of martial prowess and victory.
- Human Frailty And Divine Regard: Contemplation on the transient nature of human life and the marvel of God’s attention to mankind.
- Prayer For Deliverance: Appeals to God for protection against enemies and for divine intervention in times of conflict.
- Praise And Worship Commitment: Vows to sing new songs of praise to God, expressing gratitude and worship for divine salvation and protection.
- Vision Of Societal Prosperity: Descriptions of an ideal society benefiting from God’s favour, marked by prosperity, security, and harmony.
- Divine Guidance And Support: Requests for God’s guidance and the assurance of God’s presence and support in the psalmist’s life and leadership.
- Contrast Between Divine Power And Human Vulnerability: Reflections on the power of God to affect natural and human affairs versus human dependence on divine mercy.
- Hope For Future Blessings: Expressions of hope for future blessings based on faith in God’s promises and past faithfulness.
Psalm 76 is a hymn of praise that celebrates the mighty deeds of God and God’s sovereignty, particularly in times of victory and deliverance. It highlights the recognition of God’s presence in the land of Judah, the sacredness of His dwelling in Zion, and God’s power to subdue even the most formidable adversaries [ … ]
Jesus’ listeners continue to think that Jesus is journeying to Jerusalem there to inaugurate an earthly, political Kingdom of God, to expel the Roman power and restore an only ever briefly realized independent nation state in the Promised Land. Jesus speaks this parable, which is similar to the parable of the talents, in order to teach his disciples that they are not very soon to see an instant transformation in the world and that they have a lot of work to do. Their calling is not to be to lord it over others; it is to serve and do the utmost with the gifts they have received through walking with Jesus, to magnify the faith and preach the Gospel to the whole world [ … ]
YouTube: Ash Wednesday | T.S. Eliot | Audio Christian Poetry | Word Aloud Ash Wednesday, one of T.S. Eliot’s most profound and enigmatic poems, marks a significant transition in his life and work. Written in 1930, it is the first long poem Eliot composed after his conversion to Anglicanism in 1927. The poem, often considered one of Eliot’s masterpieces, delves into themes of faith, redemption, and spiritual struggle. It reflects the poet’s personal journey towards spiritual enlightenment and serves as a testament to his newfound religious beliefs. A reading of Ash Wednesday is an exploration of the poem’s religious, literary, and personal contexts, as of the poem’s complex structure and themes. Religious Context And Symbolism Ash Wednesday is deeply embedded in Christian symbolism and tradition. The title refers to the first day of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar, a day marked by penance, fasting, and prayer. Ash Wednesday is a time for reflection on mortality and repentance, themes that are intricately woven throughout the poem. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism profoundly influenced his writing; ‘Ash Wednesday’ is an expression of spiritual awakening and quest for redemption. The poem is replete with religious imagery and references, drawing on Christian doctrine and scripture. The use of liturgical language, biblical allusions, and references to saints and spiritual figures creates a tapestry of faith that invites readers to contemplate deep spiritual truths with which Eliot is grappling. The repetitive and prayer-like quality of the verses echoes meditative practices of the faithful, in part enabling the contemplative nature of the poem. Literary Influences And Techniques T.S. Eliot was a master of literary allusion and technique, and Ash Wednesday expresses Eliot’s ability to blend various influences into a cohesive whole. The poem reflects the influence of Dante, particularly The Divine Comedy, which Eliot admired for its exploration of spiritual ascent and redemption. Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven parallels Eliot’s own spiritual journey, and the structure of Ash Wednesday can be seen as a reflection of this pilgrimage. Eliot’s use of fragmented narrative, a hallmark of his earlier work such as The Waste Land, is also present in Ash Wednesday. However, in this poem, the fragmentation serves a different purpose. Instead of depicting the disintegration of modern society, it mirrors the fragmented and often painful process of spiritual rebirth. The disjointed structure reflects the internal struggle of the speaker, who is torn between the pull of worldly desires and the aspiration for divine grace. The poem’s language is rich and varied, combining the lyrical and the obscure, the personal and the universal. Eliot employs a range of poetic forms and devices, including free verse, rhyme and meter, to convey the tumultuous journey of faith. The shifting tone and style reflect the complexities and contradictions inherent in the spiritual quest, capturing moments of doubt, despair, hope, and transcendence. Personal Significance Ash Wednesday is a deeply personal work. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism marked a profound shift in his life, providing a sense of purpose and direction that had been missing. The poem can be read as a reflection of Eliot’s own struggles with faith and his efforts to reconcile his intellectual skepticism with his desire for spiritual certainty. Eliot’s personal experiences, including his troubled marriage and professional pressures, also inform the poem. Themes of renunciation and acceptance, sin and redemption, are not merely abstract concepts but lived realities for the poet. This personal dimension adds a layer of intimacy and urgency to the poem, which thereby resonates with readers who have faced their own spiritual crises. Thematic Exploration At its core, Ash Wednesday is a meditation on the possibility of spiritual renewal in a world that often seems devoid of meaning. The poem grapples with the tension between faith and doubt, reflecting the existential struggles of modernity. The poem acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining belief in an age of skepticism but ultimately affirms the possibility of redemption and grace. The central theme of renunciation is explored through imagery of ascension and purification. The speaker’s journey is marked by a series of renunciations, symbolizing the shedding of earthly attachments in pursuit of spiritual truth. This process is neither straightforward nor easy; it involves moments of intense struggle and introspection. Yet, through this arduous journey, the speaker moves closer to a state of spiritual clarity and acceptance. Ash Wednesday | T. S. Eliot Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? Because I do not hope to know The infirm glory of the positive hour Because I do not think Because I know I shall not know The one veritable transitory power Because I cannot drink There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again Because I know that time is always time And place is always and only place And what is actual is actual only for one time And only for one place I rejoice that things are as they are and I renounce the blessèd face And renounce the voice Because I cannot hope to turn again Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something Upon which to rejoice And pray to God to have mercy upon us And pray that I may forget These matters that with myself I too much discuss Too much explain Because I do not hope to turn again Let these words answer For what is done, not to be done again May the judgement not be too heavy upon us Because these wings are no longer wings to fly But merely vans to beat the air The air which is now thoroughly small and dry Smaller and dryer than the will Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still. Pray for us sinners now […]
