July 2002

A different translation of a Biblical passage can bring it alive in a whole new way.  Here's a translation of Psalm 16 which does just that.  It is a striking translation which celebrates God in a wonderful way.  It goes like this:

O God, I feel you
        with me at every moment.
You are my food, my drink
        my sunlight, and the air I breathe.
You are the ground I have built on
        and the beauty that rejoices my heart.
I give thanks to you at all times
        for lifting me from my confusion,
for teaching me in the dark
        and showing me the path of life.
I have come to the center of the universe,
        I rest in your perfect love.
In your presence there is fullness of joy,
        and blessedness forever and ever.

What I would suggest is that you read it over two or three times and think about what it proclaims.  God is with us every moment--especially the dark and difficult times.  God is our food, our drink, our sunlight, the very air that we breathe--God is our strength, our hope, our light, the source of our life.  And God lifts us out of our confusion, guides us, and in his love there is peace, and in his presence there is joy and blessedness.

Really, the best way to take this psalm is as a song or prayer and a perfect one to read at the beginning of each day.  Especially should it be read on those days when we mostly feel God's absence and know little peace or joy--days when we seem most lost in the confusion and chaos of our lives.  Because it will remind us of a reality beyond what we feel--that God is with us, the light of God's love keeps breaking through, God will see us through and we will find the way.

To read this psalm again and again is to have our eyes opened to the reality of God with us and be able at last to sing ourselves with thanksgiving and gladness.

God be with you,
Jeff