Lectionary Poetry – 4th Sunday After Pentecost (Year B)

Each week we carefully curate a collection of  poems that resonate with the lectionary readings for that week (Narrative Lectionary and Revised Common Lectionary).

*** Revised Common Lectionary ***

Lectionary Reading:
Psalm 20

CLASSIC POEM:

Psalm 20
Isaac Watts

Now may the God of power and grace
Attend his people’s humble cry!
Jehovah hears when Isr’el prays,
And brings deliverance from on high.

The name of Jacob’s God defends
Better than shields or brazen walls;
He from his sanctuary sends
Succor and strength, when Zion calls.

Well he remembers all our sighs,
His love exceeds our best deserts;
His love accepts the sacrifice
Of humble groans and broken hearts.

In his salvation is our hope,
And, in the name of Isr’el’s God,
Our troops shall lift their banners up,
Our navies spread their flags abroad.

Some trust in horses trained for war,
And some of chariots make their boasts:
Our surest expectations are
From thee, the Lord of heav’nly hosts.

[O may the memory of thy name
Inspire our armies for the fight!
Our foes shall fall and die with shame,
Or quit the field with shameful flight.]

Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear,
Now let our hopes be firm and strong,
Till the salvation shall appear,
And joy and triumph raise the song.

*** This poem is in the public domain, 
  and may be read in a live-streamed worship service.

CONTEMPORARY POEM:

Exaudiat te Dominus
Malcolm Guite

SNIPPET:

All given for your growth, and your delight,
All flowing for you from his sanctuary.
Even before you enter in, his light

…

[ READ THE FULL POEM ]

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