(A Song of Praise, not pride)
"I remember Your name in the night, O Lord; and I keep Your law. At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, because of Your righteous judgments." ~Psalm 199:55 & 62
~~~
Place on my lips this pure and holy boast
Not spoken on my strength and wit
But that deliverance is from the Lord of Hosts
Who is mighty to save and ready to forgive
A mighty sword intercedes for me
A mighty buckler covers me!
To rebuke the Prince of the Power of the air
For mighty is the Word sent from the saints' prayer
O battle and turmoil beat within
The voice of the Spirit clashing with sin
He remains pure but I am defiled
For enemies seek my inheritance
To subvert my adoption and claim this child
Oh, how I have forgotten there is more than one voice in mind
Other than the Spirit's; imitating, yet lies
Clothed as some sinister stranger, I would expect
Yet they speak of my welfare; clothed like the Divine Guest
A mighty sword intercedes for me
A mighty buckler covers me!
To rebuke the Prince of the Power of the air
For mighty is the Truth that reveals their snares!
Oh, did not John so warn
That many spirits surround and swarm
To not believe every one for many false prophets have gone
But rather to test the spirits, whether they are of God
O clothed as sinister strangers, one would expect
Yet they speak of my welfare; clothed as the Divine Guest
So why the beating heart? What of the war within?
Is it not the fear of the Lord striving with sin?
What is my wisdom that it could uncover their plots?
To lean on my own understanding to reveal what they've truly sought
Is this not what a "lie" is: It comes displayed as "truth"?
(Against all other voices) Sanctify me by Your truth! Your Word is Truth!
A mighty sword intercedes for me!
A mighty buckler covers me!
As a nearly-equal power, storm, descends
In the form of invisible counselors and friends
As the storm with a hidden hand
Seeks to snuff out His light
Like Joseph, I am awakened
To my terrible, oncoming plight
The mighty sword that overshadows and intercedes
Is the Word that speaks louder than the one that deceives
He anoints my lips with grace and awakens my destined desire
This is redemption that is called and answered (like Elijah) with fire
O the Enemies that surround and disguise as Light
What power is strong enough to discern and divide?
A mighty Sword intercedes; sharper than any other sword
Piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow
And is a Discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart
This is the Strength that redeems; the Love that overcomes
Now, O Everlasting Arms that uphold me beneath
Let me pursue and not one enemy alive leave
Thrust out the Enemy from before
And give me the command: "Destroy!"
Place on my lips this pure and holy boast
It will not be spoken on my strength and wit
For deliverance is of the Lord of Hosts
He is mighty to save and ready to forgive
"He sent from above, He took me
And delivered me from my strong enemy
He is my Rock, Lord, and Father
And He drew me out of many waters
From those who hated me
For they were too strong for me
They confronted in the day if my calamity
But the Lord was my support
He delivered me because He delighted in me
He who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved me
Now, O Everlasting Arms that uphold me beneath
Let me pursue and not one enemy alive leave
Thrust out the Enemy from before
And give me the command: "Destroy!"
For these are they who hated me without a cause
Like Amalek that ambushed the people of God
Your gentleness has made me great; my path You have enlarged
Now teach my hands to make war
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze
"I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them
Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed
I have wounded them so that they could not rise
They have fallen under my feet
For You have armed me with strength for the battle
And have subdued under me those who rose up against me
You have also given me the necks of my enemies
So that I destroyed those who hated me
They cried out, but there was none to save
Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them
Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind
I cast them out like dirt in the streets"
"Let the saints be joyful in glory
Let them sing aloud in their beds
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth
And a two-edged sword in their hand
To execute vengeance on the nations
And punishments on the peoples
To bind their kings with chains
And their nobles with fetters of iron
To execute on them the written judgment
This honor have all His saints
Praise the Lord!"
Let the Flesh speak its prideful, prophetic phrase
"I will be back again! Another day!"
Yet I do not fear for the enemies and calamities I await
For my God is the One (who in abundant mercy is) with me
My God is waiting for them
Praise the Lord!
~~~
"I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord." ~Psalm 40:1-3
