Beckett: Poetry – No. 1846, The Voice of the Lord

This exegetical poem is based on Psalm 29.

All you angels in Heaven above,
     praise God the glory due His name!
For He creates out of love.
     Praise Him for His splendour fame!

For His voice waves the waters
     with a roar of mighty thunder.
For His voice is full of power;
     this is His majestic wonder.

For His voice can cause destruction;
     He causes empires to collapse.
For His voice is life’s construction;
     He creates the frolicking of the calf.

For His voice fans out like wildfire;
     He moves the mountains with a shake.
For no other name on earth is higher;
     His voice drives the ground to break.

For His voice makes all give birth
     and He rips the forests bare.
He creates the symphony of our mirth;
     let His glory be our joy’s affair!

The Lord is enthroned over every disaster.
     May the Lord give us His strength.
The Lord reigns as King forever.
     May the Lord give us peace at length!