Run for your life

Psalms for the 24th Day
116 117 118 119:1-32

Reading the psalms,

reciting them and breathing them into me, 

fragrant as my bible is right now 

with the smell of basil 

from the feast day of the finding 

of the Holy Cross, 

there I found some ρηματα 

(rhímata, living words) 

that nourished my soul, 

reminders of my path.

(You alone, Lord, know my path.)

I have faith, even when I say,
‘I am completely crushed’.

Psalm 116:10

(Lord, You know what I mean when I recite this verse in prayer.
And at times, I do feel completely crushed,
yet there is no place I can be,
or feel myself to be,
where I do not have faith.)

Yahweh, I am Your servant,

Your servant, son of a pious mother,
You undo my fetters.

Psalm 116:15-16

(I can’t undo my fetters.
I can’t do anything to free myself from bondage, Father.
It is You alone who can free me,
because You alone have freed me.
You undo my fetters.)

I run the way of Your commandments,
since You have set me free.

Psalm 119:32

(In my distress I cried out to You,
‘Lord, why have You given me yet another day?’
Your answer was instant,
Your will to me was clear.
You said, ‘I have raised you again to life,
so that you can carry out My commandments.’
Nothing more, nothing more had to be said.
I heard Your voice, Lord, and I am satisfied.
I run the way of Your commandments, 
since You have set me free. 

Glory to You, O God, glory to You!)

Draw me in Your footsteps, let us run.

Song of Solomon 1:4