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Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Do Not Fear, Part 2

In honor of this coming Sunday, I offer the following paraphrase of Isaiah 43:1-3. It's loosely based on the Hebrew. However, I translated it with a poet's eye instead of a scholar's eye. I hope it helps my readers to appreciate the meaning behind this beautiful text:

A love song from the Eternal One
Who birthed you and raised you;
Who molded your person and your character:

"Do not fear, my beloved, do not fear!
I have claimed you as my own.
I have named you and consider you family.
You are my prized possession
Which I have obtained at a tremendous cost!

When you feel like you are
Barely keeping your head above water,
I'll be with you!
I won't let you drown!

When life gets too hot to handle
I'll make you fireproof!
You will get through this
And emerge unscorched!

For I am the Eternal One,
Your Sanctuary, Your Safety Net."

Copyright © 2012. David Eck. Used by permission or the author.

3 comments:

Widely Interested said...

I like it a lot!

The Rev. Mr. David Gillespie said...

Very well done, David. Thank you.

Birdie said...

You have put well the love that is the source of my peace. Thank you.