A Host of Angels

Meaning in Psalm 89

by Alfred D. Byrd

OUR GOD is seated upon the Throne.
Around our God, a host of angels,
Countless in number, blazing with light,
Fall down as one in front of the One
Who spoke a word, and angels became.
The angels would say, "To fall to God
Lifts up one's heart to live in the truth."
Our God is greater than all that's made.
Our God exists without beginning;
Onset and outcome are one to God.
The earth, the heavens — the works of God
Belong to the One Who spoke a word
And made from nothing all things that are—
Among these things, the line of humans,
Fragile and fractious, but loved by God.
How happy are those who speak this truth:
"Our God, though high above the heavens,
Loves us who live below on the earth.
Our God, in love, has sent us a light,
A law of justice, the means to peace.
Our God appoints us shepherds to lead
The sheep to safety within the fold."

Amid a people chosen by God,
Our God appointed a youth as king.
His head made wet with oil of olives—
Symbol of Spirit, the breath of God—
The boy named David was set apart
From tending a flock to lead a land
To love its God in love of neighbors.
David received from God a promise:
"Nothing can part your life from My love.
You'll conquer the foes who hate My Name;
You'll build, through a son of peace to come,
A house for Me to live in your midst.
Recall My promise in times of grief.
Whenever princes of flesh and blood
Forget My light and walk in darkness,
Hardship and heartbreak will fall on you,
And you'll think, 'Our God is gone for good,'
But I'm the Faithful, the One Who keeps
Whatever promise I make secure.
Your time of darkness will end at last
When you turn to Me and see My light."

Misfortune would come, foretold by God.
Not even David was pure of heart.
A flame of lust would kindle murder;
Heartbreak would pass from father to son.
A temple was built, and built again.
A light from heaven came down awhile
And spoke as human heaven's wisdom:
"Only in God is peace to be found."
The light went back to heaven, and we
Have looked with hope to see it again.
Around us, meanwhile, darkness prevails.
Our leaders can't lead the flock to peace.
To them, we look in vain for guidance:
Teachers of law are twisting the truth
And making Your Name a word of hate.
"How long," we say, "can troubles go on?
Is God concealing the light from us?
Our lives go by as quickly as dreams,
Yet we see distress go on and on."

Amid the darkness, recall the One
Who promised the sheep, "My love endures."
If we turn our hearts to God in faith,
We'll find the light that lasts forever.
Nothing can hide from the light of God.
In darkness, evil triumphs awhile;
In the light, the will of God appears,
Restoring the reign of law — of love.
As you live in dark, but long for light,
Recall a promise, a word from God.
Let's pray, "Our God, please send us David,
Loving Your Name and living in truth.
We need a David to lead the sheep
From darkness to light around the Throne."

If this poem spoke to you, you may enjoy my Biblical epic poems

A Song of the One, the age-old account of Creatlon, Fall, Redemption, and Glory retold in verse for a new millennium, and

The Stars Bow Down: An Epic of Joseph, the timeless tale of a favorite son whose brothers sold him into slavery, but whom God raised from a prison to save the known world from famine.