Books and reading -- Great Britain; English literature -- History and criticism
I shall conclude to-day with a striking instance of this, with
four strophes from the 107th Psalm, taking leave to use at will
the Authorised, the Revised and the Coverdale Versions. Each
strophe, you will note, has a double refrain. As Dr Moulton
points out, the one puts up a cry for help, the other an
ejaculation of praise after the help has come. Each refrain has a
sequel verse, which appropriately changes the motive and sets
that of the next stanza:
(i)
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way;
They found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
_Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,_
_And he delivered them out of their distresses._
He led them forth by a straight way,
That they might go to a city of habitation.
_Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,_
_And for his wonderful works to the children of men!_
For he satisfieth the longing soul,
And filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
(ii)
Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death,
Being bound in affliction and iron;
Because they rebelled against the words of God,
And contemned the counsel of the most High:
Therefore he brought down their heart with labour;
They fell down, and there was none to help.
_Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,_
_And he saved them out of their distresses._
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And brake their bands in sunder.
_Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,_
_And for his wonderful works to the children of men!_
For he hath broken the gates of brass,
And cut the bars of iron in sunder.
(iii)
Fools because of their transgression,
And because of their iniquities, are afflicted,
Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat;
And they draw near unto death's door.
_Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble,_
_And he saveth them out of their distresses._
He sendeth his word and healeth them,
And delivereth them from their destructions.
_Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness,_
_And for his wonderful works to the children of men!_
And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare his works with singing:
(iv)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account