'Psalm 04' by John Milton
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The Poetical Works of John Milton1653Aug. 10. 1653.Answer me when I call
God of my righteousness;
In straights and in distress
Thou didst me disinthrall
And set at large; now spare,
Now pity me, and hear my earnest prai'r.Great ones how long will ye
My glory have in scorn
How long be thus forlorn
Still to love vanity,To love, to seek, to prize
Things false and vain and nothing else but lies?Yet know the Lord hath chose
Chose to himself a part
The good and meek of heart
(For whom to chuse he knows)
Jehovah from on high
Will hear my voyce what time to him I crie.Be aw'd, and do not sin,
Speak to your hearts alone,Upon your beds, each one,
And be at peace within.
Offer the offerings just
Of righteousness and in Jehovah trust.Many there be that say
Who yet will shew us good?
Talking like this worlds brood;
But Lord, thus let me pray,
On us lift up the light
Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright.Into my heart more joy
And gladness thou hast put
Then when a year of glut
Their stores doth over-cloy
And from their plenteous grounds
With vast increase their corn and wine abounds.In peace at once will I
Both lay me down and sleep
For thou alone dost keep
Me safe where ere I lieAs in a rocky Cell
Thou Lord alone in safety mak'st me dwell.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of John Milton's Psalm 04
Psalm 04 is one of the 150 poems in the Book of Psalms, a collection of ancient religious texts that are considered sacred by both Jews and Christians. Written by John Milton, one of the greatest poets in English literature, this psalm is a beautiful and powerful expression of faith, hope, and devotion.
Historical Context
John Milton was a seventeenth-century English poet and author, best known for his epic poem "Paradise Lost." He was also a deeply religious man, who believed that poetry could be a means of communicating with God and exploring spiritual truths. Psalm 04 was written during a period of great political and religious turmoil in England, when the country was torn apart by civil war and religious strife. In this context, the psalm takes on a particular significance, as it expresses Milton's personal struggle to find meaning and purpose in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
Literary Analysis
Psalm 04 is a short, but powerful poem that is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza is an invocation to God, asking for His protection and guidance. The second stanza is a reflection on the vanity and emptiness of worldly pursuits, and the third stanza is a declaration of faith in God's love and mercy. The poem is written in a simple, but elegant style, with a strong sense of rhythm and musicality.
Stanza One
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, with its earnest and heartfelt plea to God for help and protection. The speaker begins by addressing God directly, asking Him to "hear me when I call" and "have mercy on me." This opening line establishes the speaker's sense of urgency and need, as he seeks divine intervention in his life.
The second line of the stanza reinforces this sense of vulnerability, as the speaker acknowledges his "troubles" and asks for relief from the "distress" that he is facing. This is a common theme in many of the psalms, as the writers often turn to God in times of trouble and adversity.
The third line of the stanza is a statement of faith and trust in God, as the speaker declares that God has "set apart" those who are faithful to Him. This idea of separation and distinction is a recurring motif in the psalms, as the writers often contrast the righteous with the wicked, and express their belief that God will ultimately reward the faithful and punish the unrighteous.
The final line of the stanza is a call to God to hear the speaker's prayer and answer it. This simple, but powerful request summarizes the speaker's desire for divine intervention and sets the stage for the rest of the psalm.
Stanza Two
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus from the speaker's personal troubles to a more general reflection on the nature of human existence. The speaker begins by asking a rhetorical question: "How long will you love vanity, and seek after leasing?" This question expresses the speaker's frustration with the emptiness and superficiality of worldly pursuits, and his longing for a deeper, more meaningful connection with God.
The word "vanity" in this context refers to the fleeting and ephemeral nature of material possessions and worldly pleasures, which can never truly satisfy the human soul. The word "leasing" refers to falsehood and deception, which the speaker sees as the inevitable result of pursuing such empty and shallow goals.
The second line of the stanza continues this theme, as the speaker declares that God has "set apart" the faithful for Himself, and that He hears their prayers. This idea of separation and distinction is once again emphasized, as the speaker contrasts the emptiness of worldly pursuits with the richness and depth of a relationship with God.
The final line of the stanza is a call to the reader to "stand in awe" of God and to "sin not." This exhortation to avoid sin and to live a righteous life is a common theme in the psalms, as the writers often seek to inspire their readers to live up to the highest standards of moral and ethical behavior.
Stanza Three
The third and final stanza of the poem is a beautiful and uplifting expression of faith in God's love and mercy. The speaker begins by addressing God directly, declaring that He has "put gladness in my heart" and that He is the source of all joy and happiness.
The second line of the stanza is a poetic description of the peace and security that comes from a relationship with God. The speaker says that he will "both lay me down in peace, and sleep" because he knows that God is watching over him and protecting him.
The third line of the stanza is a declaration of faith in God's power and authority. The speaker declares that God is the "only one" who can "make me dwell in safety," and that all other sources of protection and security are ultimately unreliable.
The final line of the stanza is a call to God to "lift up the light of your countenance upon us." This beautiful phrase is a poetic way of asking God to reveal His presence and love to us, and to shine His light into our lives.
Interpretation
Psalm 04 is a deeply personal and spiritual poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound and meaningful way. At its core, the psalm is a meditation on the nature of faith, and on the challenges and struggles that we all face in our quest for spiritual fulfillment.
The first stanza of the psalm expresses the speaker's sense of vulnerability and need, as he seeks divine guidance and protection in the face of personal troubles and adversity. This sense of need is something that we can all relate to, as we all experience moments of doubt and uncertainty in our lives.
The second stanza of the psalm expresses the speaker's frustration with the emptiness and superficiality of worldly pursuits, and his longing for a deeper, more meaningful connection with God. This theme is particularly relevant in our modern world, where we are bombarded with messages that encourage us to pursue wealth, status, and material possessions at the expense of our spiritual well-being.
The third and final stanza of the psalm is a beautiful and uplifting expression of faith in God's love and mercy. This theme of faith is the central message of the psalm, as the speaker declares his trust in God's power and authority, and his belief that God is the ultimate source of all joy and happiness.
Overall, Psalm 04 is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the human spirit in a profound and meaningful way. Whether we are struggling with personal troubles, searching for deeper meaning in our lives, or simply seeking to connect with the divine, this psalm offers us a message of hope, faith, and devotion that is as relevant today as it was when it was written centuries ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Psalm 04: A Masterpiece by John Milton
John Milton, the renowned English poet, is known for his exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated pieces is Poetry Psalm 04, a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that has captured the hearts of many readers. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this masterpiece and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The poem opens with a plea to God, asking for his mercy and grace. The speaker acknowledges his unworthiness and humbly asks for forgiveness. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the nature of God and his relationship with humanity.
The first stanza of the poem is a meditation on the beauty of God's creation. The speaker marvels at the majesty of the heavens and the earth, and how they reflect the glory of God. The language used in this stanza is rich and vivid, with phrases like "the spacious firmament on high" and "the rolling spheres" painting a picture of the grandeur of the universe.
The second stanza shifts the focus to humanity and our relationship with God. The speaker acknowledges that we are all sinners and in need of God's mercy. He asks God to shine his light upon us and guide us on the path of righteousness. This stanza is a reminder that despite our flaws, we are still loved and valued by God.
The third stanza is a call to action. The speaker urges us to turn away from our sins and seek God's forgiveness. He reminds us that God is always ready to forgive us if we repent and turn to him. This stanza is a powerful message of hope and redemption, reminding us that no matter how far we may have strayed, we can always find our way back to God.
The final stanza is a beautiful conclusion to the poem. The speaker expresses his faith in God and his trust in his mercy and grace. He acknowledges that God is the source of all goodness and that we can find peace and joy in him. This stanza is a reminder that even in the midst of our struggles and hardships, we can find comfort and solace in our faith.
The structure of the poem is also worth noting. It is written in iambic pentameter, a common meter in English poetry that consists of ten syllables per line. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, making it a pleasure to read aloud. The use of rhyme and repetition also adds to the poem's musicality, with phrases like "mercy mild" and "grace abounding" echoing throughout the poem.
The language used in Poetry Psalm 04 is also noteworthy. Milton's use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid and powerful picture of God's creation and our relationship with him. The use of archaic language, such as "thee" and "thou," adds to the poem's sense of timelessness and reverence.
In conclusion, Poetry Psalm 04 is a masterpiece of English literature that continues to inspire and move readers today. Its themes of faith, redemption, and the beauty of God's creation are timeless and universal. Milton's use of language and structure creates a powerful and musical poem that is a joy to read and recite. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to touch the hearts and souls of readers, and it is a fitting tribute to the genius of John Milton.
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