Last October, I introduced here the concept of Psalm Flights, where I’m riffing poetry off a line or two of each psalm. I’m still slowly making my way through the psalter in this fashion, generally guided by what I encounter on Sundays, but not always. This week, I thought I would share a couple more of my poems. Another of them has already been published by Ordinary Mystic, and you can find it here.

Psalm 27, verses 5–6: One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life; To behold the fair beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Lord of Justice,

What has happened to

Sanctuary, to

Passionate, powerful pilgrims

Declaring your temple

Place of Refuge?

I covetdsc_0005

Hanging out in

Beautiful buildings,

Hearing ancient echoes of

Holy songs,

Sipping sustenance from

Sun-shot stained glass,

Filtering footsteps from

Within chilly walls.

Would you let me stay, or

Would you drive me into

Wilderness,

Declaring need for

Sanctuary on street-corners,

Sustenance in courtrooms,

Holy hallowing of skyscrapers?

Psalm 46, verse 11a: Be still, then, and know that I am God.

Be still and know

Be still and trust

Be whole in heart

Because you must

Hold open flame

Within the dark

In hopes to

Generate a spark.

Be true and act

Be true and sound

Be filled with love

For world around

Because you must

Hold high the flame

Embrace us all

In Jesus’ name.

– © Shirin McArthur 2017

Share This