Saturday 30 April 2011

Sunday Blessings - A Mariner 's Psalm


 These  are  hand  carved  models  of  ships  
I saw  in  a  gift  shop


Sara  Lewis wrote  a  sea captain 's
version of the  23rd Psalm.
I read  it  in Joni  Eareckson 's devotional
and want  to share  it   here.
How  different  from
The  Rhyme of  the  Ancient  Mariner

A Sea Captain 's 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my captain; I shall not be in want.
He makes me anchor in calm harbors,
He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul.
He guides me on a course of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I sail through the troughs of the storms of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your sun and moon they comfort me.

You provide food from the sea in the presence of sharks and barracuda.
You rinse me with sparkling rain; my tank overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will sail in the ship of the Lord forever.

Do you ever feel far from God's love? Or that life is swamping your deck? Know
that God's love is deeper than any weights you may have aboard.

Thank You, Lord, that even when the wind has left my sails limp, I can count on
your love to bring a fresh breeze.

15 Fertilize my soul:

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
Great. I can easily relate to these metaphors from the far side of the sea.
Have a blessed Lord's day you and your Mama.
From felisol

Nadwrażliwiec said...

Yes, Jesus is my safety in the time of the storm. I still remember how many times He helped me in real troubles... He is wonderful.

Amrita said...

Very true Felisol, your dwelling beside the sea heightens the apreciation of these lines.

I live very far from the sea but the storms of life batter my soul too and when the waves seem dangerous I cry out to the Captain.

Student visitors will lead our church service this morning and a friend is dropping by for a bath and breakfast.

Amrita said...

Sear Zim I know you can testify to that

Buttercup said...

I will remember this when I look out at New York harbor. Prayers and good wishes!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

nice post....Hope you're having a good weekend.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

I find it odd that others will trifle around with another version of Psalm 23 which is my favorite prayer. Words of God were written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and nothing can match the power and splendor of those classical words. Thanks for the post. God bless you always.

David Edward said...

i enjoyed this, thank you

Amrita said...

Dear Buttercup, that is a beautiful idea

Amrita said...

Hi Sarah, yes I had a nice weekend.
Good church service and a friend droped by for a short time as she was in town for an appointment. She had a shower and breakfast - ziped off for her work then in the evening she droped by for a bite to eat and cuppa before catching her train

Amrita said...

Dear Mel, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Here the writer is just personalizing the Psalm into her own life. No one can substitute the Word of God for anything else.

Amrita said...

I thought you 'd like it as you are a sailor and build boats.

John Cowart said...

Hi Amrita,

Years ago, when my eyes worked better, I constructed many sailing ship models. In fact, one of the proudest accomplishment of my life is that I once made such a ship inside a bottle.

I really enjoyed your photos and poem.

John

Amrita said...

John I remember you posted a photo of your ship

David C Brown said...

Psalm 107 has a fine passage for sailors: "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters,These see the works of Jehovah, and his wonders in the deep. For he speaketh, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof: They mount up to the heavens, they go down to the depths; their soul is melted because of trouble;They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and they are at their wits' end:Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses;He maketh the storm a calm, and the waves thereof are still:And they rejoice because they are quiet; and he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Let them give thanks unto Jehovah for his loving-kindness, and for his wondrous works to the children of men; Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the session of the elders."
And we can use it for ourselves too!