“por And para ” (Psalm 122) [Spanish Jerusalem Bible Series - Psalms sub-series] [Pandemic series]
In Spanish, there’s two little words
Which both mean “For” (which seems absurd),
Except their flavors different are
(Which to beginners, is bizarre).Psalm here in view, makes use of both –
I putzed along, checked out the notes;
Then “Pow!” last sentence of the set
Brought insight I won’t soon forget –The King (that’s David, by the way –
He wrote the Psalm back in his day),
Was waxing on – how great their town,
With Temple, from which worship sounds.He also spoke of law-courts there,
Where fractured lives could be repaired;
So, as a King, he valued this,
As Temple-court augment bliss.When he wrapped up his little verse,
He said, “Because” (that’s “por”) – reversed
His view back to such benefits
That came from Temple-court, which sits –In place of honor in his town;
For all, such blessing which came down,
He asks a blessing (“Para”) for
A future time – “God, bless some more!”But note what David asks God for –
To bless the town – that’s so much more!
If town is blessed, so’s Temple too,
They work as one, as still they do.Because the house of God had blessed
The town around, the King expressed
Desire “To town in which they dwelt,
All good would come” (with God he dealt).Lord, when that’s plugged into Your word –
That body-life of which we’ve heard,
Is dwelling place of Spirit now,
This jumps to life! These words allow –Us to move on to nowadays,
To words of thanks – pandemic’s praise,
Which is so strained as Coved spreads,
And people die in global beds.Your people have so blessed our town
For generations coming down
Right to today – “Because” Your kin,
I’ll pray all good keeps flowing in –To Brandon, here, that all might see
Recovered health; prosperity;
Recovery from this global scourge –
Please hear our prayers – hear “para’ words.Thanks Lord for this.
navigation