Refuge of the Poor, Prayer of the Righteous and the Simple Ones, Protected by G-d - Psalms Chapter 14 - Tehilim Poetry

While thinking of a concept for this weeks piece, I decided to try my hand at another Tehilim Poem. Since we are holding at Chapter 14, this is one I am writing about.

In this chapter, the verse that stuck out to me was this one.
"עֲצַת־עָנִ֥י תָבִ֑ישׁוּ כִּ֖י יְ-הֹ-וָ֣-ה מַחְסֵֽהוּ", which translates to,
"You put to shame the counsel of the poor, for the L-rd is his refuge."

The way I orriginally understood that is that Hashem is the One who protects and shields the poor, downtrodden person for evil, shame, and hardship. With this idea in mind, I wrote a poem out and was about to share it, when I decided to see and make sure I understood the words correctly as I felt I had not truthfully understood the verse properly.

I reached out to a very dear and beloved subscriber, and I was told that, while my understanding was correct, many commentaries and translations understand the verse to mean that, Israel, or the Jewish People, are called "עני" "poor man" and it is due to this "poverty" of sorts, the other nations refute us when we offer our advice and guidance to them as they think they know better. Yet Hashem shuts down and puts to shame, their counsel and they are left to suffer their fate, while the Jewish People who are faithful to Hashem, are protected.

After hearing that idea, I decided to try and rewrite, or, at least, combine both ideas into a new and improved poem. I spent some time developing and reworking until finally, I had a piece that I was proud to share. It taps into many aspects which are listed below in order for you to follow along clearly. 

The first two stanzas mention the times when the nations will make mockery of the advice and counsel we offer them, while the next two mention the time when Hashem will punish those who hate us and slander us. It also mentions how when the world will be in disarray, we, as people who follow His ways will not despair. The next two stanzas talk about how Hashem protects us and is a refuge and shield for us in difficult times, especially when we pray. It also mentions that especially in these hard times, we pray for our redemption from exile.

Finally, the last four stanzas ends it all off with a prayer that G-d grant us freedom and return us home to Jerusalem. It also gives mention to the fact that the other nations will soon recognize and understand that had they taken our advice and not slandered and shamed us, they would probably have been saved from G-ds anger.

So, yes, there are many things to say about this one and it took a long time to develop and smooth out all of the ideas. Despite the length of the finished poem, it is my hope that you enjoy it and connect with it.

Have an amazing week ahead,

Your friend,

Yitzy Schweitzer

Refuge of the Poor,
Prayer of the Righteous and the Simple Ones,
Protected by G-d -
Psalms Chapter 14 - Tehilim Poetry 
When life seems colorless,
When patterns lose their design,
When those ill of power become powerful,
When those ill of faith use false promises of splendor to seal the nations demise.

When those corrupt of goodwill and righteous guidance,
Turn to mockery and slander at the advice of those who live with His word,
When they seek to make him look a fool, when they aspire to tarnish his image,
The poor righteous man turns to G-d and his prayers are heard.

At the time of the Divine punishment,
While other nations cower and melt in fear and dismay,
The poor righteous nation who believe in Him, will not stumble,
They will not slip nor will they fall away.

For together, they direct they hearts and souls in prayer,
They turn their thoughts His way,
It is He who is the address of the poor man, of the poor, slandered nation,
When their skies are somber and grey.

G-d is the refuge of the poor one,
The downtrodden seek to Him, when life's enemies throw pain their way,
The poor ones inspire the people, they are the ones who invoke His mercy.
It is the prayers of these simple souls that bring sunlight to a cloudy day.

It is the prayers of all Jews together,
That will rush forth the redemption of the people of Zion soon,
For, as evil wishes to destroy and ignore us, we stand in simple Tefilah,
Saying the words of the Divine, creating the shield that will save us from the doom.

So, we ask you, Oh, Al-mighty G-d,
Please be our refuge, for we are ignored and perhaps we are poor of merit and good,
Please be our shield, be our protector and our avenger once again,
Allow for justice and righteousness to prevail as they should.

Make a mockery of those who mock Your people and Your words,
Let them see Your truth and hear Your voice,
Let them recognize that they were wrong to turn to slander,
For they ignored You and You sent them this disturbing noise.

It is those who are ill of honesty,
Who stumble and refute Your messengers of truth and wisdom,
It will be soon, we hope, that they will recognize,
That we are Your royalty and You are master of a World Kingdom.

Let sunlight be seen in your skies once again,
Let the candle of redemption burn for all to notice and see,
Allow those who seek You, to find their inner and righteous self,
Allow the world to bow, for You are Al-mighty.