ANDREWS UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN P.O.

BOX 175 PORT OF SPAIN

TOPIC:- Original psalm of lament/praise (free verse)

An Assignment Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Course ENGL425 LITERARY TOPICS: BIBLICAL LITERATURE T&TH 7:20-8:35 PM

INSTRUCTOR: Mr. H. Ramoutar

By KAVIAN O. B. BRATHWAITE

April 12th, 2012

Approved

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The All

I cry out my Lord, I cry out to you, Great Spirit. Great and almighty God, You are the great light in the endless pit of murkiness, You are the clean air we breathe, Oh great and merciful redeemer, Physician, father, pardoner and friend, Creator, provider, protector and nurturer, You will lift me up on high, sweet deliverer, With you I can overcome all strife.

Find me Oh lord, Look at me, Find me Oh lord; Look at me for I am in the valley of despair, All I see are sandy swamps that whisper to me, Deep rivers that speak of a million horrors, Find me Oh Lord and look upon my face, For I am not worthy to look on yours, You alone will judge me and find me wanting, You alone can lift me up and preserve me from all attack, With you, I can overcome all strife.

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I know you see them, omniscient one, The dark ones have set upon me but they are seen, Stumbling blocks as big as pyramids they place in my path, It casts an ominous shadow round about me. They do so much evil, these wicked ones and they are at my back. Why? Why oh Savior, do they seek after my soul? They seek to bring me down but I know you will hide me and Bring my adversary down. Down, down way beneath my feet, You give me the strength to overcome this strife.

Have mercy upon this head that is bowed before you, Cause me to know this long suffering, compassionate God, Remove all dark clouds that hinder my blessings, Have mercy on me and this sin filled globe. As the evil scour the cities, looking under every hedge, gathering supporters, Guide me away from them; make them never to see my face. Send your angels to guard and guide me Your cherubims light the way to behold your magnificence At long last, you provide the strength to overcome this strife

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I trust in you, Oh God, of my deliverance, As they wait to celebrate my fall, Extend your hand to me and physically elevate me, Hide me from their tyranny and unjust ways, Capture them in your sight and cause your gaze to shine upon them. And they will find themselves horribly exposed, Let those who come to you with requests of evil, Feel not your grace but a burning lash of your anger, Cause them to know that they will not succeed, At long last, I will overcome this strife and evil.

I trust in you, my God who waits patiently for me, Grant me protection from the pit patrollers, Extend your hand to me and mentally elevate me over their heads, They that seek to slay me or entice me. Lend me your strength, so that I may flee or fight, Success is a word, a feeling they can never reach Confusion reigns in their camp, disorder, They have been blinded by Gods blessed light, thanks be to you God,

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At long last, you provided the strength to overcome this strife.

Remember me always, my Lord As I continue to cry out to you, You great spirit will always be merciful, Send forth your light to wrap me in your peace and light, I know that nothing can separate me from your love, Nothing or no-one is too big for you to handle. I know that nothing can separate me from the strength youve given me, When your blessings is given, it encompasses the future generation, This wonderful feeling of joy is everlasting, Youve provided the strength to overcome all strife.

Countless things even now still to unfold, The seas, the trees, the canyons and nature bold, Nature has shown the world, your mastery, The calm, the merciful and your fury, Only in time, will we know you truly, Unfurl your wonders, do your duty, As we may live to see the worlds natural beauty, Giving thanks will be my eternal litany

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Seekers of my flesh, nil; His triumph assured There is no more strife, the wicked dead, victory is unleashed,

Your name is synonymous with glory, Who other can we thank for life, health, mercy? You lift us up over the heads of the unjust and ugly, You are in this time and the next, your majesty. Oh Lord, since there is nothing that is beyond your bounds, My God, I know there is no one you cannot see, When it has come to past, all shall know, Youre anointing on this temple of shame and guilt, All shall know the greatness of your name, The swiftness of your anger and joy in salvation, Great is the name of God, strong and mighty, Great is the Lord our God, in His mercy, Great is the Lord our God, in His mercy.