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Rendition of Psalm 26
God, mark me. Try me. I have wagered with you and wavered. Prove me against the whetted edge Of your unfailing love. I have cast my lot with yours, Yet kept the company of villains When they were the only friends I knew. I have laughed loud and late with them When their razor words were the only jokes around. I have washed my hands in innocence, But it never seemed enough. I circled your altar seven times, Waiting to see more than stone, Watching for a fire I couldn’t explain. I don’t know how I made it out, except I held a hope time could not beat level. There was always a mission bell, A beacon on my bow, a faith sheer off, A homing flame, a flare, a beam For my waning way. I have wanted to be with you Out of the world wind, To live where you live. I have wanted someone to say: Come home, come back, All is forgiven. So don’t leave me here like a spit pip. Show me your consolations— One for every year that went wrong. Stand me in your grace on level ground. Touch the holy coal to my lips. And let me feel the firekiss. When the starlong stride of your light arrives, I will promise myself to it Until the promise takes. Lift my life toward the sunless city. Show me the fire, my pillaring God. Let me feel the warmth on my face.
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