Sabbath Psalm Altars (from my upcoming album, ‘Kingdom Rising’)
Altars of lightning and hurricane winds
Altars of frightening words from a friend
Altars of bruises that don’t seem to heal
And all those abuses we’d rather conceal
Altars of cancers and fractures and flus
Altars of answers that never come through
Altars of failures we just can’t redeem
And hopes that get nailed to a wooden crossbeam
Altars of questions that burn in our head
Of crippling depression that keeps us in bed
Altars of terrible, devilish lies
And all those unbearable pains from goodbyes
Altars of Neros who burn with their hate
And well-meaning heroes who show up too late
Altars of violence from rioting crowds
And heavenly silence that’s hellishly loud
But when the fire ascends and when the billows roll
When earthen walls close in and suffocate my soul
I cling to my Redeemer—my Refuge and King!
This garden of eternal joy—in sorrow—blossoming
The Sower is sowing
Slowly a garden is growing
And I know it may seem surprising—
We look around and we don’t see it rising.
These altars—this weeping
Oh what a glory they’re reaping!