Your Word Unlocks

Several years ago, as I was preaching through Psalm 119, I wrote a series of poems inspired by their verses. This sonnet derives its inspiration from Psalm 119:129-144 and especially verse 130 which reads, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” When I was posting these poems, my father-in-law recorded himself reading one and texted it to me. He was a bit unsure if it was presumptuous, but it wasn’t. Rather it was a completion or fulfillment of the poem. Words that find their expression in others voices is one of the ways a poem becomes a poem. So, thank you Ed for sharing this with me and for all the gifts you given. Happy Birthday! Your word unlocks, runs straight, is just and right; It cuts to the heart and pierces the night. Strong and stable, firmness to rest upon Is your word, the promise I depend on. I am small and despised; my enemy knows I am but a breath, can be felled with blows: A roll of the eye, a sigh, fuels the shame Of my thirst for the draughts of praise and fame. But you redeem this fear-of-failure's slave, Steal sin’s sting and the victory of the grave; Your light beckons, draws me into the day Sets me to walk in the steps of your way. I wonder, Is that word too good? Can it be? The Word cries, “It is finished!” Bids, “Follow me.” © Randall Edwards 2018 Read by Edward Pilkington Artwork: James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). The Woman with an Issue of Blood (L'hémoroïsse), 1886-1896. Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper, Image: 11 x 7 1/16 in. (27.9 x 17.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.111 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.111_PS2.jpg). No copyright restrictions. Get full access to Backward Mutters at backwardmutters.substack.com/subscribe