“Praise the LORD, O my soul,

all my inmost being, 

praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forgets not all his benefits-

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”

(Verses 1 – 5)

In this beautiful Psalm above, there are seven meaningful verbs, well chosen to instil a process of hope and positiveness . . . forgets, forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies and renewed.

When hurts roar, let your hope soar.

Your heart might be breaking,

A million pieces shattering.

Feeling’s such a delicate thing

It’s hard even with gentle mending.

A process and period of grieving

Is essential for healing.

The heart may grieve for all eternity

That’s when understanding can lift it but not pity.

Troubled waters roar with great muddy swells

Bridging it requires skill to break the spell.

For despair and despondency creep

Even while you sleep.

Your whole being becomes so engrossed

Nothing stimulates, enthusiasm’s lost.

A soothing word, a gentle hand

A listening heart and patience spent

Will calm the roar in the end.

To forgive is divine

To forget exceptionally fine.

Christ heals to redeem

Crowns and satisfies to extreme

Renewed spirit sets to spring.

© Paul Chong

Sunday, 30 May 1999