"Above the Clouds at Sunrise" by Church‘Magna Lex’: A Poem by Jeff Kemper The Society January 13, 2025 Beauty, Culture, Poetry 10 Comments . Magna Lex —to the choirmaster, a Psalm (19) of David. . I The heavens herald God’s resplendency; The skies above display his artistry. By day the discourse spills like falling rain; Deep verities the night’s dim lights explain. There is no language, not a jangling word, No resonance, no sound that can be heard. And yet their message tours across the earth With missives sent throughout its massive girth. Therein God set a shelter for the sun That will emerge to make its circuit run As does a bridegroom from his chamber bed, And as a champion racing on ahead. It rises from the distant heavens’ end And to the far extremity does wend Its circuit’s course, accomplished and complete, And nothing can be hidden from its heat. . II Yahweh’s Torah is the perfect moor; __It bids the soul arise. Yahweh’s testimony is secure; __It makes the simple wise. Yahweh’s statutes map the proper tour; __They reap a joyful prize. Yahweh’s mandates are refined and pure; __They radiate the eyes. Yahweh’s fearfulness will ever endure __As clear, azurean skies. Yahweh’s rulings are steadfast and sure, __A righteous enterprise. . III These are to be desired far more than gold And coveted beyond the gold that’s best. And sweeter they, than honey’s sweet threshold, The drippings from a honeycomb’s arrest. Moreover, they will give your servant pause; Adhering to them reaps a grand reward. But who can understand my faults and flaws? Absolve me from my hidden sins, my Lord! Withhold your servant from presumptuous wrongs; Do not allow their power over me. Then, guiltless, I can join your blameless throngs, Acquitted of the foulest felony. Now let the words, the sayings from my lips, And the deliberations of my heart Be pure in your sight under your eclipse, Oh Yahweh, Rock, Redeemer, my Rampart. . . Jeff Kemper has been a biology teacher, biblical studies instructor, editor, and painting contractor. He lives in York County, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 10 Responses T. M. Moore January 13, 2025 Jeff: Well done. I encourage you to continue creating new settings for the Psalms and other portions of Scripture. I’m persuaded that this is one way to attract more people to the Word, when they are able to delight in it through poetic renderings such as yours. Please do more of this kind of excellent work. T. M. Reply Jeff Kemper January 13, 2025 Thank you, T.M., for your words of encouragement! Reply Roy E. Peterson January 13, 2025 This is a beautiful and faithful poetic rendition of Psalm 19. I have written a few poems on other Psalms and am mesmerized by your wonderfully adept writing. Reply Jeff Kemper January 13, 2025 Thanks, Roy. I’m glad you liked it. Reply Cynthia Erlandson January 13, 2025 This is a wonderfully impressive poetic paraphrase of this Psalm! “And yet their message tours across the earth….” is especially exciting and lovely. I agree with T.M. that it would be great if you do more of these. (Perhaps even set some to hymn tunes?) Just yesterday I happened to re-read your “Three Death Musings”, which is truly marvelous! Reply Jeff Kemper January 13, 2025 Well, thank you very much, Cynthia! I have completed 16 Psalms so far and a number of other passages. As for accompanying music, I fear that may be beyond my talents. I have thought of submitting some poems to someone with such an ability. Reply T.M. January 13, 2025 All: I have set all the psalms to familiar hymn tunes. I will send a PDF to anyone who wants one, and you can make all the copies you like. [email protected] Reply Satyananda Sarangi January 14, 2025 Dear Jeff, When beauty, divinity and spirituality are put together, we get a masterpiece like this poem. This made my week. Best wishes! Reply Jeff Kemper January 14, 2025 Thank you, Satyananda. I’m glad you appreciated my work! Reply Margaret Coats January 15, 2025 Jeff, this is a wonderfully thoughtful rendition of one of the most beautiful of psalms. This one is often presented as a two-part poem; you’ve made it three, with each of the three portions contributing distinctly to the whole. Glad to see your work on a project that is intrinsically of the highest worth, precisely because every psalm is divinely inspired. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
T. M. Moore January 13, 2025 Jeff: Well done. I encourage you to continue creating new settings for the Psalms and other portions of Scripture. I’m persuaded that this is one way to attract more people to the Word, when they are able to delight in it through poetic renderings such as yours. Please do more of this kind of excellent work. T. M. Reply
Roy E. Peterson January 13, 2025 This is a beautiful and faithful poetic rendition of Psalm 19. I have written a few poems on other Psalms and am mesmerized by your wonderfully adept writing. Reply
Cynthia Erlandson January 13, 2025 This is a wonderfully impressive poetic paraphrase of this Psalm! “And yet their message tours across the earth….” is especially exciting and lovely. I agree with T.M. that it would be great if you do more of these. (Perhaps even set some to hymn tunes?) Just yesterday I happened to re-read your “Three Death Musings”, which is truly marvelous! Reply
Jeff Kemper January 13, 2025 Well, thank you very much, Cynthia! I have completed 16 Psalms so far and a number of other passages. As for accompanying music, I fear that may be beyond my talents. I have thought of submitting some poems to someone with such an ability. Reply
T.M. January 13, 2025 All: I have set all the psalms to familiar hymn tunes. I will send a PDF to anyone who wants one, and you can make all the copies you like. [email protected] Reply
Satyananda Sarangi January 14, 2025 Dear Jeff, When beauty, divinity and spirituality are put together, we get a masterpiece like this poem. This made my week. Best wishes! Reply
Margaret Coats January 15, 2025 Jeff, this is a wonderfully thoughtful rendition of one of the most beautiful of psalms. This one is often presented as a two-part poem; you’ve made it three, with each of the three portions contributing distinctly to the whole. Glad to see your work on a project that is intrinsically of the highest worth, precisely because every psalm is divinely inspired. Reply