(Poem 10)

A response to Psalm 13

How long, O LORD? Did I think You had forgotten me?
     How long had I let myself believe You were hiding Your face?
How long must I have clung to my own denial
     and licked the deep wounds of a mournful heart?
How long had I convinced myself the world had dominion over me?

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
     repurpose my aching spirit, so that I may not succumb to temptation,
so that the enemy may not have cause to proclaim, “I have authority over her,”
     so that Your adversary may not swoon with gaiety at my present suffering.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
     my heart of flesh praises Your saving grace.
I will profess the name of God through Christ Jesus all the days of my life,
     because He has generously chosen me to stay and serve.