Watchman, Tell Me of the Night

"Watchman, tell me of the night;
  I see darkness, I see strife;
I feel certain nothing's certain,
  All conspires against our life."
 
"Yes, you've spoken and you've queried,
  Morning comes but don't be wearied;
Soon the night will come again
  With its toils that then attend;
You must look out and prepare wisely,
  Be not quiet nor sit by idly.
If you'd ask then ask again—
  See His grace does now extend."

- D. Benning

based on Isa. 21:11 - 12

Trusting in His Word

Trusting in His Word,
   Trusting in His Sovereignty,
      Trusting that He's good to me—
Oh, how hard to do this word.

Basing all my life on Him,
    Basing all my choices in Him,
       Basing all my joys with Him—
Oh, how hard my flesh rebels.

Lord, I need your Spirit in me,
    Lord, let your Word dwell richly in me,
       Lord, rule graciously over me—
So my will becomes Your own.

- D. Benning

In the Anxious Moments

In the anxious moments of confusion,
   midst the hectic panic and delusion,
   as the hope sinks low behind occlusion,
lean upon His arm.

In the trial of fiery furnace,
   as the lessons come with added sternness,
   as the angst of life concerns us,
lean upon His arm.

In the quiet of the long night,
   filled with coldness as the Klondike
   and a terror comes with strong fright,
lean upon His arm.

There He holds His children closely,
   though the world will vex you grossly,
   though the doubt hangs round morosely—
but none can touch you there.

Lean upon His arms of healing,
   know His peace and love revealing;
   at His Throne of mercy kneeling,
upheld by His almighty arm.

- D. Benning

David's Hymn (With Old English)

David's Hymn

Behold Christ,       the ingenious cross-bearer,

the holy Savior,       a homestead gave

when He was,       the glory Son,

sin's destroyer,       Creator of the earth,

and there felled       Satan's kingdom.

Before the ruin       removed joy,

the first Adam,       earth's son,

lived healthily,       holy father of mankind

without sin;       but he tasted the fruit—

death of man came,       the living-inheritance died.

Then sent the Lord,       the Ruler of Days,

Preserver with night-piercing sight,       darkness to Adam's kind.

Drove to misery,       the Potentate of Heaven.

All creation wept;       joy wrenched from Adam.

But the Lord sent       a beacon glorious,

a generous gift:       Author of Life on victory-field,

mighty Warrior on beam      utterly crushed Devil;

a blest-with-victory man.       That was a blessed day!

Yet thanes heeded       cursed counsel,

turned to evil       cursed High Father.

Still God loved,      gave light to souls.

The Second Adam,       Almighty Son of man,

quickened mankind       with mercy,

bounteous in benefits;       darkness fled,

thanes received sight—      the Trinity's work!

All mankind sings;       earth itself rejoice;

then was sung triumph's song,      song of the righteous Father,

The Savior with power       mankind's sin cured;

Thus we must now praise       the Creator of Salvation!

- D. Benning

_____________________________________

I was so into Old English (Anglo-Saxon) whilst an undergraduate at UC Davis that I took as many courses in pre-Shakespearean literature as possible and ended up taking several classes in Old English and related literature.  I thoroughly loved it.  I was even encouraged by my professor to try my hand at writing in Old English and submitting it to an annual contest.  (No.  Not even an honorable mention for my efforts.)  But the above is the translation of the following Old English words.  I know that it is correct, having gone back and forth with my professor several times over the wording and the syntax.

Dauides Ymen

Hwæt Crist       cræftig rod-bora,

halig Hæland       hám-steall geaf

þa he wæs,       wuldor-Sunu,

synna sceaða,       Scyppend eorþes,

and þar gefylde       feondes rices.

Foran fiell       geferste wynne,

ærest Adam,       eorþes sunu,

gefilde hælig,       halige ielda fæder,

butan synne;       ac biergode ofet—

mann-cwealm com,       cwic-erfe for eode.

Þa sende Drihten,       dæges Rædend,

niht-eáge Nergend,       nifol Adam-cynne.

Fordrif to wan-sceaft       Wealdend heofone.

Weop eal gesceaft;       wynne forless Adam.

Ac Brego sende       beacen þrym-fæst,

lac ungieðe.      Lyf-fruma on sige-wang,

Hæle on beame       bana forþrycte;

sigor-eadig secge.       Þæt wæs sælig dæg!

Hwæþre hedon       þeowas þeostre ræd,

hweorfon to beale,      heah-Fæder wiergodon.

Þeah God lufende       lecht sawolum geaf.

Se oþere Adam,       almihtig byre rince,

cwycode menn       mid mild-heortnesse,

duguþa éstige;       dwolman fleah,

Þecgon sihðe þegnas—       Þrynesse weorc.

Eal menn sungon;       middangeard gefeah;

ða wæs sigeleóþ galen,       sang rihtwis-Fæder.

Hæland mid meahte       mannes synna lacnode.

For on sculon nu herigean       hæles Scyppend.

 

- D. Benning

Various Proverbs from Around the World

Here are little tidbits of truth, condensed into small sentences, that still stand up to scrutiny even after translation.  No wonder Solomon wrote, almost 300 years ago, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver" (Prov. 25:11).  May God fill us with His Word and with His Spirit so that we are able to give proper responses to those around us.

• Words are like eggs: when they hatch they have wings.  (Madagascar)
• A thorn defends the rose, harming only those who would steal the blossom.  (China)
• There is no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out.  (Russia)
• He that will not look forward must look behind.  (Gaelic)
• If you want your dreams to come true, don't over sleep.  (Yiddish)
• If you destroy a bridge, be sure you can swim.  (Swahili)
• Many will show you the way once your cart has overturned.  (Kurdish)
• Goodness speaks in a whisper, evil shouts.  (Tibetan)
• No one says his own buttermilk is sour.  (Afghanistan)
• If luck be with you, why worry; if luck be against you, why worry?  (Afghanistan)
• Among the blind the squint rules.  (Hindu)
• A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.  (Netherlands)
• After all is said and done, more is said than done.  (United States)
• To bend a bamboo, start when it is a shoot.  (Malaysia)
• Even the crude person pleases if he has money.  (Latin)  Ovid, Ars Amatoria, II, 276
• The brave man may fall, but not yield.  (Latin)