(We have a new audio embed player since the Darkling Psalter has moved to the Rabbit Room Podcast network. This should be the only visible change from your side. If you are subscribed to the podcast on Spotify, Apple, or other players, you should have no other changes since the RSS is the same.
I’ll explain more of what joining the podcast network means in an upcoming post. For now, here is the rendition of Psalm 25.)
All autumn long and all alone, I trod a path through the woods While I prayed and fretted and watched The leaves go bright as pennies. Behind me walked ghost years I thought I’d shaken. Teach me the steps. I know There is a difference between Seeing the way and walking it, But my trust is loss-hearted and heavy. Put it through its unresting, Unhasting paces. Lord, do not remember the sins of my youth. Forget the years I mistook my fears for virtues. Forget my empty renunciations. Remember me through your lasting love. Imagine me through your mercy. I stood a season-long watch In the draughty chapel, listening For your voice between breaths of bellsong. I went wrong at long turns and saw it too late. Will you ravel me back and piece me together? Or is the friendship of the Lord Nearness as I come apart? Show me what there is to know In the way I need to know it. There is always more Of your kindness than I thought was left. I have longed for peace But never learned it. My days are harried, scraped bare, Blurred from bed to bed, And chased with a short, beaten sleep. Turn to me and be gracious. I found a trouble larger than I am. I can stretch my hands and touch Both walls of my hope, So small a cell it is. Inside, I worry at the promises of the Almighty As a dog worries a bone. Show me the way of peace And I will walk it. Hold my careworn, threadbare heart completely still. Guard me. Deliver me. Show me the snowdrops Crowded in the dooryard When winter comes.
If you would like to move this project one step closer to publication, sign up on this form to request the Darkling Psalter in print.
The Darkling Psalter is a reader-supported publication. To support my work and gain access to all podcast episodes, consider becoming paid subscriber.
Music: Nightfall Hymn by Yehezkel Raz
"Forget the years I mistook my fears for virtues."
That'll preach.
Will you ravel me back and piece me together?
Or is the friendship of the Lord
Nearness as I come apart?
Show me what there is to know
In the way I need to know it.
There is always more
Of your kindness than I thought was left.
For Pete’s sake- this is so beautiful.