'A Song To David' by Christopher Smart
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1763IO THOU, that sit'st upon a throne,With harp of high majestic tone,To praise the King of kings;And voice of heav'n-ascending swell,Which, while its deeper notes excell,Clear, as a clarion, rings:IITo bless each valley, grove and coast,And charm the cherubs to the postOf gratitude in throngs;To keep the days on Zion's mount,And send the year to his account,With dances and with songs:IIIO Servant of God's holiest charge,The minister of praise at large,Which thou may'st now receive;From thy blest mansion hail and hear,From topmost eminence appearTo this the wreath I weave.IVGreat, valiant, pious, good, and clean,Sublime, contemplative, serene,Strong, constant, pleasant, wise!Bright effluence of exceeding grace;Best man!-the swiftest and the race,The peril, and the prize!VGreat-from the lustre of his crown,From Samuel's horn, and God's renown,Which is the people's voice;For all the host, from rear to van,Applauded and embrac'd the man-The man of God's own choice.VIValiant-the word, and up he rose;The fight-he triumph'd o'er the foes,Whom God's just laws abhor;And, arm'd in gallant faith, he tookAgainst the boaster, from the brook,The weapons of the war.VIIPious-magnificent and grand;'Twas he the famous temple plann'd;(The seraph in his soul:)Foremost to give his Lord His dues,Foremost to bless the welcome news,And foremost to condole.VIIIGood-from Jehudah's genuine vein,From God's best nature good in grain,His aspect and his heart;To pity, to forgive, to save,Witness En-gedi's conscious cave,And Shimei's blunted dart.IXClean-if perpetual prayer be pure,And love, which could itself inureTo fasting and to fear-Clean in his gestures, hands, and feet,To smite the lyre, the dance complete,To play the sword and spear.XSublime-invention ever young,Of vast conception, tow'ring tongue,To God th'eternal theme;Notes from yon exaltations caught,Unrival'd royalty of thought,O'er meaner strains supreme.XIContemplative-on God to fixHis musings, and above the sixThe Sabbath-day he blest;'Twas then his thoughts self-conquest prun'd,And heav'nly melancholy tun'd,To bless and bear the rest.XIISerene-to sow the seeds of peace,Rememb'ring, when he watch'd the fleece,How sweetly Kidron purl'd-To further knowledge, silence vice,And plant plant perpetual paradise,When God had calm'd the world.XIIIStrong-in the Lord, Who could defySatan, and all his pow'rs that lieIn sempiternal night;And hell, and horror, and despairWere as the lion and the bearTo his undaunted might.XIVConstant-in love to God, THE TRUTH,Age, manhood, infancy, and youth-To Jonathan his friendConstant, beyond the verge of death;And Zilba, and Mephibosheth,His endless fame attend.XVPleasant-various as the year;Man, soul, and angel, without peer,Priest, champion, sage, and boy;In armor, or in ephod clad,His pomp, his piety was glad;Majestic was his joy.XVIWise-in recovery from his fall,Whence rose his eminence o'er all,Of all the most revil'd;The light of Israel in his ways,Wise are his precepts, prayer and praise,And counsel to his child.XVIIHis muse, bright angel of his verse,Gives balm for all the thorns that pierce,For all the pangs that rage;Blest light, still gaining on the gloom,The more than Michal of his bloom,Th'Abishag of his age.XVIIIHe sung of God-the mighty sourceOf all things-the stupendous forceOn which all strength depends;From Whose right arm, beneath Whose eyes,All period, pow'r, and enterpriseCommences, reigns, and ends.XIXAngels-their ministry and meed,Which to and fro with blessings speed,Or with their citherns wait;Where Michael with his millions bows,Where dwells the seraph and his spouseThe cherub and her mate.XXO David, scholar of the Lord!Of God and Love-the Saint electFor infinite applause-To rule the land, and briny broad,To be laborious in His laud,And heroes in His cause.XXIThe world-the clust'ring spheres He made,The glorious light, the soothing shade,Dale, champaign, grove, and hill;The multitudinous abyss,Where secrecy remains in bliss,And wisdom hides her skillXXIITrees, plants, and flow'rs-of virtuous root;Gem yielding blossom, yielding fruit,Choice gums and precious balm;Bless ye the nosegay in the vale,And with the sweetness of the galeEnrich the thankful psalm.XXIIIOf fowl-e'en ev'ry beak and wingWhich cheer the winter, hail the spring,That live in peace or prey;They that make music, or that mock,The quail, the brave domestic cock,The raven, swan, and jay.XXIVOf fishes-ev'ry size and shape,Which nature frames of light escape,Devouring man to shun:The shells are in the wealthy deep,The shoals upon the surface leap,And love the glancing sun.XXVOf beasts-the beaver plods his task,While the sleek tigers roll and bask,Nor yet the shades arouse:Her cave the mining coney scoops;
Where o'er the mead the mountain stoops,The kids exult and browse.XXVIOf gems-their virtue and their price,Which hid in earth from man's device,Their darts of lustre sheathe;The jasper of the master's stamp,The topaz blazing like a lamp,Among the mines beneath.XXVIIBlest was the tenderness he feltWhen to his graceful harp he knelt,And did for audience call;When Satan with his hand he quell'dAnd in serene suspense he heldThe frantic throes of Saul.XXVIIIHis furious foes no more malign'dAs he such melody divin'd,And sense and soul detain'd;Now striking strong, now soothing soft,He sent the godly sounds aloft,Or in delight refrain'd.XXIXWhen up to heav'n his thoughts he pil'dFrom fervent lips fair Michal smil'd,As blush to blush she stood;And chose herself the queen, and gaveHer utmost from her heart, "so brave,And plays his hymns so good."XXXThe pillars of the Lord are seven,Which stand from earth to topmost heav'n;His wisdom drew the plan;His WORD accomplish'd the design,From brightest gem to deepest mine,From CHRIST enthron'd to man.XXXIAlpha, the cause of causes, firstIn station, fountain, whence the burstOf light, and blaze of day;Whence bold attempt, and brave advance,Have motion, life, and ordinanceAnd heav'n itself its stay.XXXIIGamma supports the glorious archOn which angelic legions march,And is with sapphires pav'd;Thence the fleet clouds are sent adrift,And thence the painted folds, that liftThe crimson veil, are wav'd.XXXIIIEta with living sculpture breathes,With verdant carvings, flow'ry wreathes,Of never-wasting bloom;In strong relief his goodly baseAll instruments of labor grace,The trowel, spade, and loom.XXXIVNext Theta stands to the Supreme-Who form'd, in number, sign, and scheme,Th'illustrious lights that are:And one address'd his saffrom robe,And one, clad in a silver globe,Held rule with ev'ry star.XXXVIota's tun'd to choral hymnsOf those that fly, while he that swimsIn thankful safety lurks;And foot, and chapitre, and niche,
The various histories enrichOf God's record'd works.XXXVISigma presents the social droves,With him that solitary roves,And man of all the chief;Fair on whose face, and stately frame,Did God impress His hallow'd name,For ocular belief.XXXVIIOMEGA! GREATEST and the BEST,Stands sacred to the day of rest,For gratitude and thought;Which bless'd the world upon his pole,And gave the universe his goal,And clos'd th'infernal draught.XXXVIIIO DAVID, scholar of the Lord!Such is thy science, whence rewardAnd infinite degree;O strength, O sweetness, lasting ripe!God's harp thy symbol, and thy typeThe lion and the bee!XXXIXThere is but One who ne'er rebell'd,But One by passion unimpell'd,By pleasures unentic'd;He from Himself His semblance sent,Grand object of His own content,And saw the God in CHRIST.XLTell them, I am, JEHOVAH saidTo MOSES; while earth heard in dread,And, smitten to the heart,At once above, beneath, around,All Nature, without voice or sound,Repli'd, "O Lord, THOU ART."XLIThou art-to give and to confirm,For each his talent and his term;All flesh thy bounties share:Thou shalt not call thy brother fool;The porches of the Christian schoolAre meekness, peace, and pray'r.XLIIOpen, and naked of offence,Man's made of mercy, soul, and sense;God arm'd the snail and wilk;
Be good to him that pulls thy plough;Due food and care, due rest, allowFor her that yields thee milk.XLIIIRise up before the hoary head,And God's benign commandment dread,Which says thou shalt not die:"Not as I will, but as Thou wilt,"Pray'd He Whose conscience knew no guilt;With Whose bless'd pattern vie.XLIVUse all thy passions!-love is thine,And joy, and jealousy divine;Thine hope's eternal fort,And care thy leisure to disturb,With fear concupiscence to curb,And rapture to transport.XLVAct simply, as occasion asks;Put mellow wine in season'd casks;Till not with ass and bull:Remember thy baptismal bond;Keep from commixtures foul and fond,Nor work thy flax with wool.XLVIDistribute: pay the Lord His tithe,And make the widow's heart-strings blythe;Resort with those that weep:As you from all and each expect,For all and each thy love direct,And render as you reap.XLVIIThe slander and its bearer spurn,And propagating praise sojournTo make thy welcome last;Turn from Old Adam to the New;By hope futurity pursue;Look upwards to the past.XLVIIIControl thine eye, salute success,Honor the wiser, happier bless,And for thy neighbor feel;Grutch not of Mammon and his leav'n,
Work emulation up to heav'nBy knowledge and by zeal.XLIXO DAVID, highest in the listOf worthies, on God's ways insist,The genuine word repeat:Vain are the documents of men,And vain the flourish of the penThat keeps the fool's conceit.LPRAISE above all-for praise prevails;Heap up the measure, load the scales,And good to goodness add:The gen'rous soul her Saviour aids,But peevish obloquy degrades;The Lord is great and glad.LIFor ADORATION all the ranksOf angels yield eternal thanks,And DAVID in the midst;With God's good poor, which last and leastIn man's esteem, thou to thy feast,O blessed bridegroom, bidst.LIIFor ADORATION seasons change,And order, truth, and beauty range,Adjust, attract, and fill:The grass the polyanthus checks;And polish'd porphyry reflects,By the descending rill.LIIIrich almonds color to the primeFor ADORATION; tendrils climb,And fruit-trees pledge their gems;And Ivis with her gorgeous vest,
Builds for her eggs her cunning nest,And bell-flowers bow their stems.LIVWith vinous syrup cedars spout;From rocks pure honey gushing out,For ADORATION springs;All scenes of painting crowd the mapOf nature; to the mermaid's papThe scaled infant clings.LVThe spotted ounce and playsome cubs
Run rustling 'mongst the flow'ring shrubs,And lizards feed the moss;For ADORATION beasts embark,While waves upholding halcyon's arkNo longer roar and toss.LVIWhile Israel sits beneath his fig,With coral root and amber sprigThe wean'd advent'rer sports;Where to the palm the jasmine cleaves,For ADORATION 'mongst the leavesThe gale his peace reports.LVIIIncreasing days their reign exalt,Nor in the pink and mottled vaultThe opposing spirits tilt;And, by the coasting reader spi'd,The silverlings and crusions glideFor ADORATION gilt.LVIIIFor ADORATION rip'ning canesAnd cocoa's purest milk detainsThe western pilgrim's staff;Where rain in clasping boughs enclos'd,And vines with oranges dispos'd,Embow'r the social laugh.LIXNow labor his reward receives,For ADORATION counts his sheavesTo peace, her bounteous prince;The nect'rine his strong tint imbibes,
And apples of ten thousand tribes,And quick peculiar quince.LXThe wealthy crops of whit'ning rice,'Mongst thyme woods and groves of spice,For ADORATION grow;And, marshall'd in the fenced land,The peaches and pom'granates stand,Where wild carnations blow.LXIThe laurels with the winter strive;The crocus burnishes aliveUpon the snow-clad earth:For ADORATION myrtles stayTo keep the garden from dismay,And bless the sight from dearth.LXIIThe pheasant shows his pompous neck;The ermine, jealous of a speck,With fear eldues offence:The sable, with his glossy pride,For ADORATION is describ'd,Where frosts the waves condense.LXIIIThe cheerful holly, pensive yew,And holy thorn, their trim renew;The squirrel hoards his nuts;All creatures batten o'er their stores,And careful nature all her doorsFor ADORATION shuts.LXIVFor ADORATION, DAVID's psalmsLife up the heart to deeds of alms;And he, who kneels and chants,Prevails his passions to control,Finds meat and med'cine to the soul,Which for translation pants.LXVFor ADORATION, beyond match,The scholar bullfinch aims to catchThe soft flute's iv'ry touch;And, careless on the hazel spray,The daring redbreast keeps at bayThe damsel's greedy clutch.LXVIFor ADORATION in the skies,The Lord's philosopher espiesThe Dog, the Ram, and Rose;The planet's ring, Orion's sword;Nor is his greatness less ador'dIn the vile worm that glows.LXVIIFor ADORATION, on the stringsThe western breezes work their wings,The captive ear to sooth.Hark! 'Tis a voice-how still, and small-That makes the cataracts to fall,Or bids the sea be smooth!LXVIIIFor ADORATION, incense comesFrom bezoar, and Arabian gums;And from the civet's fur:But as for prayer, or e'er it faints,Far better is the breath of saintsThan galbanum and myrrh.LXIXFor ADORATION from the downOf dam'sins to th'anana's crown,God sends to tempt the taste;And while the luscious zest invites,The sense, that in the scene delights,Commands desire be chaste.LXXFor ADORATION, all the pathsOf grace are open, all the bathsOf purity refresh;And all the rays of glory beamTo deck the man of God's esteem,Who triumphs o'er the flesh.LXXIFor ADORATION, in the domeOf Christ, the sparrows find a home;And on His olives perch:The swallow also dwells with thee,O man of God's humility,Within his Saviour CHURCH.LXXIISweet is the dew that falls betimes,And drops upon the leafy limes;Sweet, Hermon's fragrant air:Sweet is the lily's silver bell,And sweet the wakeful tapers smellThat watch for early pray'r.LXXIIISweet the young nurse with love intense,Which smiles o'er sleeping innocence;Sweet when the lost arrive:Sweet the musician's ardour beats,While his vague mind's in quest of sweets,The choicest flow'rs to hive.LXXIVSweeter in all the strains of love,The language of thy turtle dove,Pair'd to thy swelling chord;Sweeter, with ev'ry grace endu'd,The glory of thy gratitude,Respir'd unto the Lord.LXXVStrong is the horse upon his speed;Strong in pursuit the rapid glede,Which makes at once his game:Strong the tall ostrich on the ground;Strong through the turbulent profoundShoots xiphias to his aim.LXXVIStrong is the lion-like a coalHis eyeball-like a bastion's moleHis chest against his foes:Strong, the gier-eagle on his sail,Strong against tide, th'enormous whaleEmerges as he goes.LXXVIIBut stronger still in earth and air,And in the sea, the man of pray'r;And far beneath the tide;And in the seat to faith assign'd,Where ask is have, where seek is find,Where knock is open wide.LXXVIIIBeauteous the fleet before the gale;Beauteous the multitudes in mail,Rank'd arms and crested heads:Beauteous the garden's umbrage mild,Walk, water, meditated wild,And all the bloomy beds.LXXIXBeauteous the moon full on the lawn;And beauteous, when the veil's withdrawn,The virgin to her spouse:Beauteous the temple, deck'd and fill'd,When to the heav'n of heav'ns they buildTheir heart-directed vows.LXXXBeauteous, yea beauteous more than these,The shepherd king upon his knees,For his momentous trust;With wish of infinite conceit,For man, beast, mute, the small and great,And prostrate dust to dust.LXXXIPrecious the bounteous widow's mite;And precious, for extreme delight,The largess from the churl:Precious the ruby's blushing blaze,And alba's blest imperial rays,And pure cerulean pearl.LXXXIIPrecious the penitential tear;And precious is the sigh sincere;Acceptable to God:And precious are the winning flow'rs,In gladsome Israel's feast of bow'rs,Bound on the hallow'd sod.LXXXIIIMore precious that diviner partOf David, ev'n the Lord's own heart,Great, beautiful, and new:In all things where it was intent,In all extremes, in each event,Proof-answ'ring true to true.LXXXIVGlorious the sun in mid career;Glorious th'assembled fires appear;Glorious the comet's train:Glorious the trumpet and alarm;Glorious th'almighty stretch'd-out arm;Glorious th'enraptur'd main:LXXXVGlorious the northern lights a-stream;Glorious the song, when God's the theme;Glorious the thunder's roar:Glorious hosanna from the den;Glorious the catholic amen;Glorious the martyr's gore:LXXXVIGlorious-more glorious, is the crownOf Him that brought salvation down,By meekness, call'd thy Son:Thou at stupendous truth believ'd;-And now the matchless deed's achiev'd,DETERMIN'D, DAR'D, AND DONE.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Song To David: A Hymn of Praise and Adoration
Christopher Smart's "A Song To David" is a hymn of praise and adoration that celebrates the glory and majesty of God through the image of David, the biblical king and psalmist. Written in the 18th century, the poem is a tour de force of poetic language, imagery, and sound that demonstrates Smart's mastery of the art of poetry and his deep spiritual conviction.
At its core, "A Song To David" is a hymn of praise to God, whom Smart sees as the source of all beauty, wisdom, and goodness. The poem is structured around a series of parallel statements that extol God's greatness and marvel at his creation. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem:
When the poore criple
from his lyre
Salutes the God of Israel's lyre,
The Spirit of Prophecy is fire
In the mortall bone,
And sung in Glory's ancient tone
Is Godlike David's humble Sonne.
Here, Smart imagines David as a metaphor for Christ, the "humble Sonne" who embodies the divine spirit of prophecy and speaks in "Glory's ancient tone." The image of the "poore criple" refers to Smart himself, who suffered from mental illness and poverty throughout his life. By identifying with David and Christ, Smart aligns himself with the biblical tradition of the suffering servant who is lifted up by God's grace.
The poem proceeds to praise God's wisdom and creativity, using a series of metaphors drawn from nature and art:
Thy wisdom, like a bee, flies forth
And builds her cells of precious worth,
Her cells in Paradise above,
Where heav'nly Saints, blest souls, and love,
Employ the day, and fill the night
With incense, and with hymns of light.
Smart's use of nature imagery here is typical of the Romantic tradition, which saw nature as a source of spiritual inspiration and beauty. The metaphor of God's wisdom as a bee that builds her cells of precious worth is particularly striking, as it suggests both the meticulous craftsmanship of the natural world and the spiritual richness of God's wisdom.
Another key theme of the poem is the notion of divine providence, or the idea that God controls the course of human history and guides us toward our ultimate destiny. Smart expresses this idea through a series of powerful metaphors that describe the triumph of God's justice and mercy over sin and death:
O sweet it is to see the Dawne
And sweet to see the Evening Sunne,
But neither Dawn nor Setting Sunne
Is half so sweet as Christ begunne.
Not all the Triumphs of the Sky
Could raise my heart so high, so high,
As the blest earnest of His Love,
Which bids my ransom'd soul above
Look forward to that glorious Day
When He, who in the Tomb now lay,
Shall rise again, and claim His own,
And call His Saints around His Throne.
Here, Smart uses the metaphor of the dawn and setting sun to symbolize the cycle of life and death, and contrasts it with the new dawn of Christ's resurrection. The image of Christ rising from the tomb to claim his own is particularly powerful, as it suggests both the triumph of God's justice over sin and the promise of eternal life for believers.
Throughout "A Song To David," Smart uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey his message, including rhyme, meter, alliteration, and repetition. These techniques work together to create a sense of musicality and rhythm that reinforces the poem's themes and adds to its emotional impact. For example, the use of alliteration in the lines "Salutes the God of Israel's lyre" and "And sung in Glory's ancient tone" creates a sense of unity and harmony that mirrors the poem's celebration of God's greatness.
In conclusion, "A Song To David" is a hymn of praise and adoration that celebrates the glory and majesty of God through the image of David, the biblical king and psalmist. Smart's mastery of poetic language, imagery, and sound creates a powerful sense of spiritual conviction and emotional resonance that continues to inspire readers today. Whether read as a work of art, a statement of faith, or a testament to the human condition, "A Song To David" remains a towering achievement of English poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Song To David: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Christopher Smart
Poetry is an art form that has the power to move us, inspire us, and make us feel a range of emotions. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers with its beauty and depth is A Song To David by Christopher Smart. This masterpiece of poetry is a celebration of the glory of God and the beauty of creation, and it is a testament to the power of language to evoke the sublime.
Christopher Smart was a poet and writer who lived in the 18th century. He was a deeply religious man who spent much of his life in poverty and struggled with mental illness. Despite these challenges, he was a prolific writer and produced a body of work that has been celebrated for its beauty and originality. A Song To David is one of his most famous works, and it is a testament to his talent as a poet.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which celebrates a different aspect of God's creation. The first part is a celebration of the natural world, with Smart using vivid imagery to describe the beauty of the earth and the sky. He writes, "The spacious firmament on high, with all the blue ethereal sky, and spangled heavens, a shining frame, their great Original proclaim." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Smart using language to evoke the majesty and wonder of the natural world.
The second part of the poem is a celebration of music, with Smart using musical metaphors to describe the beauty of God's creation. He writes, "The unwearied sun, from day to day, does his Creator's power display, and publishes to every land the work of an Almighty hand." This stanza is a testament to the power of music to evoke emotion and to connect us to the divine.
The final part of the poem is a celebration of the human spirit, with Smart using language to describe the beauty of the human soul. He writes, "Nor all the sons of men, above, can boast a longer date than Love, whose flame eternal is, divine, and all the passions die but thine." This stanza is a testament to the power of love to transcend time and to connect us to the divine.
Throughout the poem, Smart uses language to evoke the sublime and to celebrate the beauty of God's creation. He uses vivid imagery, musical metaphors, and powerful language to create a sense of wonder and awe. His use of language is both beautiful and original, and it is a testament to his talent as a poet.
In addition to its beauty, A Song To David is also a deeply religious poem. Smart was a devout Christian, and his faith is evident throughout the poem. He uses language to celebrate the glory of God and to express his gratitude for the beauty of creation. His faith is a central part of the poem, and it is a testament to the power of religion to inspire and to connect us to the divine.
In conclusion, A Song To David is a masterpiece of poetry that celebrates the beauty of God's creation and the power of language to evoke the sublime. Smart's use of vivid imagery, musical metaphors, and powerful language creates a sense of wonder and awe that is both beautiful and inspiring. His faith is evident throughout the poem, and it is a testament to the power of religion to inspire and to connect us to the divine. A Song To David is a timeless work of art that continues to captivate readers with its beauty and depth, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
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