Ballad: Song or Psalm of Praise.

Awake, O voice,
And sing praises;
The Almighty awaits you.
His ear leans
Toward your worship.
He is moved
At the sound
Of your praise.
Arise and soar
On wings of reverence.
His scepter bids you
Into his presence.
Awake, O voice,
Arise and sing;
Sing for the King.
He awaits you.

(Psalm of Purpose.)

Lord of all things—
Great and small;
Master of masters,
And Ruler of all.

Let the mountains
Echo with ecstasy,
And the hills joyfully
Ring with glee.
Let the lilies dance
In all their grace,
And the angels humbly
Cover their face.
Let the sea roar
With thunderous praise.
And the locust's chirp
Be heavenward raised.

Let the cry of the cheetah,
And the lion's shout,
Be heard in the heavenlies
Round about.
Let the hum of the bee
And the bird's sweet tone,
Ascend before
The life-giving throne.
For all were made
Of one mighty hand—
Divinely fashioned
For his perfect plan.

Peering out ‘pon the
World thro' life’s broken window-
Seeing mounds of pain.

Happy homestead sits
On lofty hillside – hill came
Careening downward.

Life’s skies, beauteous,
Are ever morphing – but the
Ole mountain’s steadfast.

The ferocious winds    
Flew and blew, whirled and howled – then
They gently whistled.

Mildly descending
Millions of raindrops – quickly
Forming a puddle.

(A Psalm of Exaltation: God's name is a
strong refuge.)

O Lord, your name protects—
Even as a shadow covers from the sun.

It is a lovely name, comelier than the lily
And sweeter than the rose.
And holy. All-powerful
And high above the earth—
Even higher than the heavens.

Nature provides crannies
For the tiniest creatures.
And dens for the wild beasts
That they might dwell safely.

The fox is protected
In the burrows of the earth,
And the squirrel finds refuge
In the hollow of a tree.
The scorpion's sanctuary
Is beneath a rock,
And the hive is a shelter
For the bee.

Even so, Lord, by your wisdom—
You have established for us a haven
In your name, wherein we are safe.

(A Psalm of Affirmation, reaffirming
my faith in God.)

I have faith in God
Who gives me the strength
To climb mountains
And leap over walls.

He leads, guides
And protects me each day,
And restores all
That was taken away.
My heart safely rests in him.

The Lord is my life,
Health and strength.
He is the breath of my being.
My soul is happy in God.

(Psalm of Faith (September 9,1987) .
*One of four pioneering psalms,
by faith, reaching out for strength and
stability at an incredibly difficult time.)

God is my pavilion,
My comfort and my stay.
The rock of my salvation
Protects me day by day.
Who can understand
The wonder of his ways?
He is higher than the heavens—
More ancient than the days.
He covers with his mercy,
And preserves with his grace.
And firmly plants the feet
In a sure and solid place.
Great is his compassion,
Infinite is his love.
Justice, peace and truth
Are attributes of
The mighty Lord of hosts
Whose dwelling is above.

(A Psalm of Trust: trusting in God's
Infallible Word.)

The Lord said, 'Trust in me,
For I will deliver you.'
And my God said,
'Look unto me and be saved
All the ends of the earth,
For I am God;
Besides me there is no other.'

Save Lord!
Send salvation from Zion.
And deliverance
From your holy heaven.
According to your sovereign word,
Do that which you
Have solemnly declared.

(A Psalm for lamenting September 11.)

Our dream towers are fallen
'Pon our children:
Fathers and Mothers are crushed.
Sons and daughters are perished.
Husbands and wives—dead.

Our finest buildings
Are become rubble—
Leveled to the foundation.
We are in mourning.

A perfect day is turned into night
With clouds and thick darkness.
The people mourn, Lord,
The people mourn.
With great heaviness, they mourn.
Sorrow has become our bread;
But midst the darkness, there is light.
In weakness we are made strong,
And from the ashes we will rise.

Oh Lord, our hope and shield,
You are our refuge and strength—
Even in these troubled times.

(A Psalm of Worship.)

His scepter is unto me;
I will enter his courts
And cherish the moments.

His throne is the reservoir
Of life and blessings
From which a river
Of abundant sustenance flows.
Lord, quicken me;
In you I live.

Hours are only seconds
In your presence
Where time is but
A fleeting moment.

(A Prayer-Psalm for national strength, healing
and restoration in the aftermath of September 11.)

Restore our health, Lord.
Heal the brokenness
Of our inconsolable wound.
Comfort the soul of this people;
Quell the fear that looms.

Strengthen the weary heart,
Pour forth the oil and wine.
Console this hurting nation,
And mend this broken vine.

Oh, merciful, loving God—
So sovereign and just—
Give us faith to see
And the courage to yet trust.

(A Prayer for spiritual transformation,
yearning to be like God.)


Touch me, oh Lord, as I
Touch you with my praise.

By your loving kindness
And the power of your
Merciful hand, transform me
Into the glorious image
Of your wondrous love,
Oh God my King.

I know where to find Him
And how to access his presence;
For daily he inhabits my praise.

(A Psalm of Exaltation.)

The angels worship and cry holy,
Covering their face before him
Whose throne is of jasper
And the sardine stone.

His presence is brighter
Than the sun at its brightest.
He is more glorious
Than ten-thousand-noonday suns.

His beauty exceeds the topaz, ruby,
Onyx and beryl stones.

My head bows,
And my heart is humbled.
My hands rise in submission
To his will.

Elohim! Elohim! Most high God,
Unto you, I give praise.

(Ballad: a song of deliverance.)

Now I know that
The Lord can save.
He delivered me from
The will of the grave.
With songs of deliverance
And songs of praise,
He affirms my soul
In his righteous ways.
By his matchless power
And invincible might,
He speaks a word
And darkness is light.
He is the joy of my soul
And the hope of my life.
The lover of my soul
And the love of my life.
He enlightens my eyes
With spiritual sight—
Even in the midst
Of confusion and strife.
I know that God can save.

(A Melodic Composition: exhortation
to trust in the Lord.)

Trust in me. Believe in me
To protect you from all harm.
No evil shall betide you;
I will hold you in my arms.
Come and hide
In the shadow of my wings.
You can call unto me
For anything.
I am there to supply your needs.
Only trust in me.

Psalm of Worship: (Psalm of Worship: a melodic composition.)

As I look upon the rivers
And the beauty of the sea—
All your hands have made, Lord,
Which includes me,
I humbly yield my heart
In submission to your will.
Let all the earth keep silent—
The winds and waves be still.
Let the angels humbly bow
At the footstool of your throne.
And all the people worship,
For you are God alone.

I will declare your goodness
And exalt your fame.
You have done wondrously,
And holy is your name.
Holy is your name.

(A Psalm of Purpose.)

God ordained the seasons
To be determined by the elements.
He made them for a reason—
To bring him glory.

In spring, God gives the farmer
Seeds to plant.

In summer, he gives rain
To water the crops—
Bringing them to maturity.

During the fall (Autumn), men
Graciously reap the harvest.

And in the winter, everyone enjoys
The fruit of his own labor—
Consuming the increase thereof.

Spring is the resurrection of life,
And summer is its peak.
Fall is the waning of life,
And winter is its demise.

A continuous cycle;
As long as the earth remains,
Spring, summer, fall and winter,
Shall never cease to bring God glory

(Prayer-Psalm. An intercessory prayer in perilous times, during the aftermath of September 11.)

Lord, protect our nation;
In you we place our trust:
One God who is sovereign,
Omnipotent and just.

Guide us by your mighty hand,
Great God who falters not.
Preserve the freedoms of this land—
Our heritage and lot.

(Psalm of Trust: steadfastly looking unto God in adversity.)

The enemy boasts victory,
But in the Lord I trust.
For He is ever merciful,
Loving, kind and just.

I will keep his covenant
Whose word is ever true.
His promises are steadfast
And constantly renewed.

Your love never wavers, Lord,
Your mercies cannot fail.
You’ve never shrugged my prayers,
Which oftentimes are frail.

My help comes from you.
I will look unto the hills
And claim your every promise
Until each is fulfilled.

(Love Ballad: a psalm of gratitude.)

I love you, Lord, for who you are
And for all you've done.
You delivered my weary soul
From the wicked one.

I love you for each sacrifice
And feat beneath the sun.
There is just no other,
You are the only One.

You’ve always heard my cry,
Oh God, my strength of old.
And never will forsake me—
Whatever might unfold.

I love you for seeing me through
Every storm and vice.
And I shall but love you more
With each day of life.

(Meditative Psalm: quest for total surrender.)

I beheld the wind, blowing upon
The grass of the field.
Leaves swayed under the power
Of its influence.

The flowers danced
As the grass dazzled—
Its blades shimmering in the light.
That which was dormant
Had suddenly come to life.

O Lord, breathe upon me
The breath of your holy Spirit.
Quicken me, and possess my being
That, in harmony, I might sway
To the power of your perfect will.

(Ballad: exhortation to praise God.)

Extol the Lord Most High,
Let his praises ring.
Throughout all the earth,
Exalt his lovely name.
Embrace His purity,
And testify his fame
From the rising of the sun
To the setting of the same.

(A Nostalgic Psalm: the power of God.)

O God, manifest yourself
That men might see,
And marvel, and wonder.
You spoke the worlds into existence,
And separated night from day.
Placed the elements in the skies
And created man in a wonderful way.
Bring back the ancient miracles
Like when you parted the sea
And delivered Israel en masse—
Mightily setting them free.

You provided in the wilderness,
Filled the temple with your glory,
And spoke from the darkness of Sinai;
What an awesome story.

Show, again, your sovereign power
That your strength be known,
And men might truly realize
That you are God alone.

(A Psalm of Expectation.)

Seeking deliverance,
Day and night I cry unto God
And would not be satisfied.
How long, O Lord,
Until my deliverance is come?

My heart securely
Trusts your word.
You are my salvation
And the anchor of my soul.

Protector from all harm,
And a refuge from the storm.
My battle-axe and shield
In the war of life.
Stronghold, high tower,
And a shield from strife.

O God my Strength,
My helper and guide—
The cleft of the rock
In which I can hide.
I will trust in you.

(A Psalm of Praise: let all things bring Him glory.)


The songs of praise surround me;
I will sing of God's goodness faithfully.
Oh earth, hear my song
And the trees sing along.

Let the sound of the birds
Be joyfully raised
As dawn's twilight
Emerges with praise.
Let the moon and stars
Tell the great story—
Brightly sparkling
With his glory.
Let the waves prance
And the clouds dance
As the sun peeps
Upon the sea.
They all show forth
The praise of God
Who causes them to be.

For the Lord has made all things,
And let them bring him glory.

(A Shepherding Psalm: caring for the sheep.)

Unto green pastures and meadows he leads—
Safely through danger, beneath shady trees.
Shoring up brooks so the waters run smooth,
That his sheep safely drink from a calm, gentle pool.

They do not worry, but rest in his care—
Knowing the Good Shepherd is always there.
He keeps the enemy at distant bay.
And keeps his sheep out of harm's way.

Although in error, one might stray,
He tenderly rescues it right away.
All those in his care, he safely keeps.
He is the Good Shepherd that cares for his sheep.

(A Narrative of Omnipotence.)

Listen, and I will tell you a story
About the God of old.
A mighty rock for ages stood
In highness where no other could;
His throne secure and banner set
To reign o'er the earth.
He treads the dark and unknown;
No secret lurks by night.
By his omnipotent power,
All is brought to light.
A gesture, nod, or slant of the hand
Unleashes his might in the land—
Releasing an astounding force
That none can understand.
His way is sure, his word is swift.
In him everything consists.
Marvelous works he has done
Who shares his glory with no one.

All have felt the Lord's embrace,
Tho' none has ever seen his face,
As his eternal love and grace
Envelopes the human race.

(Cry of Grievance: life's overwhelming problems.)

Except for God's mercy,
My troubles would have long
Destroyed me.

Multiplied like the stars,
They are as deceitful as
The ways of a brook.
An innocent prey, stalked game;
I am the target of their poignant aim.

Like water, my troubles flow;
They are as unwelcome as a foe.

But God shall plague them.
He shall bind them with a strong cord
And crush them 'neath his mighty foot.
And they shall cease.

Lord, by your sovereign power,
Rebuke them into oblivion
That they all cease.

**NOTE: This psalm does not refer to any person. Herein, I am simply speaking of the daily grind in my life, which seemed to have been multiplied one-hundred fold.

(A Psalm for Meditation: godly devotion and commitment.)

Lord, I live to worship you,
And breathe to sing your praise.

Daily, my soul arises in your presence
With eager longing and expectation.

Oh life-giving One, draw me
With your wondrous love
And sweet words of comfort.

Don't be far from me,
But take my feeble hand
As I reach out to you.
Come closer as I draw nearer to you,
Oh my God, that I may forever
Know your abiding presence.

(A Psalm of Trust: patiently trusting despite adversity.)

My deliverance is in
The Lord's hands.
I wait for him in prayer
With meditation and praise.
The Lord will strengthen me
In trials.
He will not allow the enemy
To defeat me.
My God has placed a hedge
Of protection on every side.
Morning, noon and night,
He watches and no evil
Shall befall.

(A Psalm of Grievance: the cry for relief.)

My trials are many and heavy,
Seemingly never to end.

Will the tempest toss
And breakers rage forevermore,
As one by one the waves come
Crashing o'er the shore?

The tide-swell is ominous,
The howling winds blow.
And lurking beneath the surface
Is a subtle undertow.

But God’s voice, all-powerful,
Creates a calm in me
As his Spirit 'pon the waters
Stills the raging sea.

(A Psalm of Exhortation to godly fear.)

Bow the knee to the holy One.
Worship with standing ovation:
Rivers, grass, sun and stars.
And man the crown of creation.

Let the kingdoms fear the Lord,
And all the people make haste.
He is head of the universe;
His eyes are in every place.

The sovereign King ‘pon his throne
Shall judge the world and the nations.
One clasp of his powerful hands
Would terrify creation.

Sing, O winds. Sing praises to him;
Bow you mountains and trees.
Let every beast do obeisance to God,
And all men fall to their knees

(A Psalm for Meditation: remembering God.)

If I were to forget my name,
Let me remember God:
The One who created the
Heavens and earth, and all things.

The God who formed man of dust.
And miraculously causes life
To secretly grow in the
Confines of the womb.

Even in trials—
Let me remember his blessings,
Faithfulness and generosity.
Let me recall his tender mercies.

And if I forget all there is to know—
Let me remember the God who has brought me.

(A Psalm of Worship.)

I humbly enter his presence
To bow before his throne.
Let all be silent as my prayers,
Like the fragrance of
A sweet perfume,
Ascend unto heaven, into the
Throne-room of his glory.

O Lord, accept my prayers
And praise, which, continually,
Are a sacrifice unto you.

(A Song of Deliverance (September 8,1987) ,
*One of four pioneering psalms.)

I sought God in the night
When trouble stirred my soul.
And, oh, what a delight
To find comfort in his word.

He whispered to my ears
Sweet and glorious things,
And brought me from despair
On mighty-eagle wings.

He put a song in my heart
And dancing in my feet.
My night was turned to day
And my bitterness to sweet.

The Lord God of hosts—
Jehovah is his name.
Sovereign is his power,
Only he can do such things.

(Prayer-Psalm: a hymn for the nation in the wake of 9/11.)

Almighty Deliverer, save our nation—
The land that you have given us.
The heritage of our fathers,
Founded upon a godly trust.

Our banner waves against the sky,
Stars and stripes flying high.

Though storm clouds rage,
The hope of the ages
Will ever be our Light—
To go before and guide the way
That we shall not fear the night.

Incoming ocean
Tides.  The marshlands enjoyed a swim -
Roads winched with flooding.

Life—a beautiful
And sacred phenomenon -
Plagued with so much ill.

With closed eyes, enjoyed
The sunshine and flowers - Then
Opened them to rain.

Satellite sent up
Into space – shooting star comes
Down onto the earth.

Ocean surface gleamed
In the sunlight – beneath are
The deep, dark waters.

Perching high ‘neath the
Blue skies, a dark mount’nous range -
Laced with pristine snow.

Peeping from beneath
The huge gray rock - a tender,
Yellow wildflower.

The prized blackberry,
Sweet and delicious - nestled
Amongst painful thorns.

Of all the bustling that’s a part of life
Help me to focus on You Lord this day
That I might perform that which I should do
That I may relate that which I should say.

Dear Lord, watch over my soul by the hour;
Let me not wander from the path and stray.
Keep me from danger, both, seen and not seen.
Let me not idle, but to watch and pray.

Lord, as I humble my life now ‘fore You,
Please do look upon this *** of pure clay—
Ah! Keep me today. And as well each day.
E’en when in twilight, and I’m old and gray.

Dear Lord, for whate’er in front of me lay,
Grant it that always with You I will stay.

If I could sing, I'd sing for You
A song that's beautiful and fair.
A song to say how I love You
With lovely words to fill the air.

It matters not the circumstance
Tho' skies be gloomy or be bright.
I'd sing with my ‘final’ breath
To You I'd sing both day and night.

I'd sing when I'm tired and weary.
I'd give You all my heart and soul.
The song I sing when I am young,
I'd sing it still when I am old.

Within my life-song's every hue,
My heart and soul I give to You.

Today He sang a lovely song
Thro’ a sparrow perching near.
He sung to me a lovely song
To wane my hurt and wax my cheer.

I knew it was Him all the time,
There, posing as a little bird;
Concealing His identity.
The sweetest melody e’er heard.

Yes, ‘twas You singing to me
Thro’ the voice of a sparrow near.
Your song brought comfort to my heart.
An act to say how much You care.
I thank You for the sparrow’s song.
How glad I am he came along.