Olive tree surrounded by tulips, photo by Josie Elias. Grand Prize winner of the 2012 Royal Horticultural Society Photographic Competition. [Click pic to enlarge]
Psalm 30
I praise you, Lord, for you raised me up
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, my God,
I cried out to you and you healed me.
Lord, you brought me up from Sheol;
you kept me from going down to the pit.
Sing praise to the Lord, you faithful;
give thanks to God’s holy name.
For divine anger lasts but a moment;
divine favor lasts a lifetime.
At dusk weeping comes for the night;
but at dawn there is rejoicing.
Complacent, I once said,
“I shall never be shaken.”
Lord, when you showed me favor
I stood like the mighty mountains.
But when you hid your face
I was struck with terror.
To you, Lord, I cried out;
with the Lord I pleaded for mercy:
“What gain is there from my lifeblood,
from my going down to the grave?
Does dust give you thanks
or declare your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, have mercy on me;
Lord, be my helper.”
You changed my mourning into dancing;
you took off my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness.
With my whole being I sing
endless praise to you.
O Lord, my God,
forever will I give you thanks.
~Eowyn
