A Psalm

I arise in the morning, O Lord,
At dawn, I come before Your throne
With all my weaknesses and sins.

My clothes are filthy from yesterday’s deeds;
They are covered with stains;
Foul odors rise from them;
But You understand, O Lord.

Anger and frustration are on my lips;
Complaining marks my words;
Bitterness fills my heart;
But You understand, O Lord.

Many come to You accusing me;
I have done numerous wrongs to others;
My hands are bruised from fights;
But You understand, O Lord.

Carnality flows from my heart;
My eyes wander from lust to lust;
A thousand adulteries occupy my mind;
But You understand, O Lord.

What my neighbor has, I crave;
Jealousy brews deep within;
I always compare myself with others;
But You understand, O Lord.

Countless needs I have let pass;
I have ignored the homeless and the poor;
All is spent on me and me alone;
But You understand, O Lord.

I love the spotlight and applause;
False humility is my garb;
There is never too much attention;
But You understand, O Lord.

The thirst for vengeance consumes me;
Passively, I blacklist my foes;
Aggressively, I slander others;
But You understand, O Lord.

Hypocrisy is my robe;
At the holy place, I say all things good;
Kindness is spoken before all;
But You understand, O Lord.

My nation has become my idol;
I mock other peoples and races;
All others are treated as inferior to us;
But You understand, O Lord.

With friends I have been cruel to friends;
Together, we cut others down to size;
Our laughter stabs their hearts;
But You understand, O Lord.

My body is defiled and polluted;
It is filled with toxins and evils;
This temple is desecrated;
But You understand, O Lord.

I have enthroned myself;
No one comes before me;
The universe exists for my good pleasure;
But You understand, O Lord.

I am broken over my evils;
Iniquity hunts me down;
My transgressions haunt me;
But You understand, O Lord.

I hate all my weaknesses and sins;
I can never do what I wish to do;
Failure is my legacy;
But You understand, O Lord.

I can’t explain how you could forgive me;
I don’t see why Your Son died for me;
I’ll never fathom Your amazing grace;
But You understand, O Lord.

In the evening, I go to my knees,
Giving thanks to You, O Lord,
For your incomprehensible understanding.


(Photo by Amine M’Siouri)