Psalm 124: Longing for Respite

• Read my Psalm 124 Meditation: Looking Back
• Read Psalm 124 from the ESV

 How rarely do I struggle with
     Hard battles from without.
 My darkened foes war in my pith,
     A long internal bout.
  
 They scream and rage within my soul,
     They tear my heart in two.
 So often this war takes its toll
     I know not what to do.
  
 But then I see a hand that moves
     So slightly in the ranks,
 It quells the soldiers in my shoes
     For respite, him I thank.
  
 The Lord who constant covers me -
     Like snow from winter’s night -
 He hides the mess I often see
     Made from my inner fight.
  
 In moments of my deep despair,
     Such respite do I love —
 To know the name that lingers there
     And holds me from above.
  
 He holds me next to sacred side,
     He keeps me from the flood
 Of sin and guilt that me betide
     And stains the white with mud.
  
 But from his side there poureth true,
     From scar I scarce can see,
 From ragged flesh there poureth through
     Blood washing over me.
  
 It washes out the darkest stains -
     It wipes away the dirt -
 And like the future fresh spring rain,
     It clears away my hurt.
  
 Yet even now with battle fresh
     And minions in my soul,
 It’s hard to trust and catch my breath
     Under the battle’s toll.