King of Mercy: The Complete Book of Psalms Rhymed

By Abigail Weibel

King of Mercy: The Complete Book of Psalms Rhymed is a book written with one goal in mind--to present the psalms in a new and creative way without losing the meaning of the original psalms. The poems contained in this book are intended to help the ideas contained in the book of Psalms flow naturally off the tongue while still presenting the truth of God's word as accurately as possible. King of Mercy brings an added layer of beauty and creativity to an already glorious book. Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Release date: May 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9781666765021

Abigail Weibel

Abigail Weibel is from Glendale, Arizona, and although she was raised in a Christian household, she didn’t begin to take her faith seriously until adulthood. She witnessed firsthand both the depravity of man and the faithfulness of God when she began working as a detention officer. During her years working in the jail, she saw women booked on murder charges, pouring over their Bibles in daily study as well as discipling other inmates and was inspired to dive deeper into her own faith. Currently Weibel is twenty-one years old and an active member in her church, King of Kings.

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King of Mercy

The Complete Book of Psalms Rhymed

Abigail Weibel

King of Mercy

The Complete Book of Psalms Rhymed

Copyright ©

2023

Abigail Weibel. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers,

199

W.

8

th Ave., Suite

3

, Eugene, OR

97401

.

Resource Publications

An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers

199

W.

8

th Ave., Suite

3

Eugene, OR

97401

www.wipfandstock.com

paperback isbn: 978-1-6667-6500-7

hardcover isbn: 978-1-6667-6501-4

ebook isbn: 978-1-6667-6502-1

03/24/23

Table of Contents

Title Page

Introduction

Warning

The Tree by the Stream (Psalm 1)

His Victory’s Spoil (Psalm 2)

The Heart of the Wicked (Psalm 10)

Oceans in Jars (Psalm 33)

Vindication for the Faithful (Psalm 43)

Refined Like Silver (Psalm 66)

Blessing on His People (Psalm 67)

Rock and Refuge (Psalm 71)

Bread of Tears (Psalm 80)

Salvation Showed (Psalm 91)

Melody of Victory (Psalm 92)

Mightier Than the Waters (Psalm 93)

The Proud Man’s Wages (Psalm 94)

King Above All Gods (Psalm 95)

Let the Earth Sing (Psalm 96)

Most High over Earth (Psalm 97)

A Jubilant Song (Psalm 98)

The King Who Loves Justice (Psalm 99)

Shepherd of His People (Psalm 100)

A Life without Blame (Psalm 101)

The Prisoner’s Sighs (Psalm 102)

Clothed in Splendor (Psalm 104)

Israel’s Covenant (Psalm 105)

Bent on Rebellion (Psalm 106)

Deserts to Water (Psalm 107)

The Fear of the Lord (Psalm 111)

The Wicked One’s Longings (Psalm 112)

His Ways Are Perfect (Psalm 113)

Tremble at His Presence (Psalm 114)

The Idols They Worship (Psalm 115)

Precious Death (Psalm 116)

Secure in Him (Psalm 117)

His Love Endures Forever (Psalm 118)

Love for the Law (Psalm 119)

Discipline from the Lord (Psalm 120)

Protector of the Weak (Psalm 121)

Mocked by the Arrogant (Psalm 123)

A Firm Foundation (Psalm 125)

Fortunes Restored (Psalms 126)

The Fruit of Your Labor (Psalm 128)

Withering Grass (Psalm 129)

Strength for My Soul (Psalm 130)

Radiant Crown (Psalm 132)

God’s Treasured Possession (Psalm 135)

His Loving Faithfulness (Psalm 136)

In Captivity (Psalm 137)

The Sum of Their Plans (Psalm 146)

Supplier of Life (Psalm 147)

The Praise of His People (Psalm 148)

Praise in the Assembly (Psalm 149)

All That Has Breath (Psalm 150)

Biographical Note

This book is dedicated first and foremost to the Lord, who gave me any abilities I have that made this book come to fruition. Second and thirdly, to Gail Howitt and Kate Faith, both of whom God used significantly in my life and spiritual development over the last few years.

Introduction

This book was created in rather unlikely circumstances, and I believe, completely by God’s design. The vast majority of this book was written within the four walls of a jail in Phoenix, Arizona. I worked as a detention officer in this jail, and one day I began rhyming psalms to pass the time in between my security walks. It was not uncommon for me to be breaking up a fight between inmates one minute, and sitting down to rhyme the psalms the next. Between working in the jail and spending two weeks in quarantine at home with the coronavirus, I completed the book, partially out of boredom and partially because I believed it was something God was calling me to do. God worked tremendously through these times in my life, and in His own sense of humor He made beauty out of boredom.

The intention of writing this book was not to be overly creative or or write anything profound; rather, the goal was to stick as closely to the meaning of the original text as possible, while still making it rhyme and flow a little more naturally. If you were to go through each psalm and each poem and compare them line for line (which I would highly encourage you to do), I believe you will find they are extremely close in their meaning.

Some of the reoccurring themes that come up in the book are God’s faithfulness, our ever-present need for Him, and giving thanks to God in all situations. These ideas seem so familiar, and yet they are just as groundbreaking the hundredth time you read about them as they were the first time. Take Psalm 78 for example. Here we are given an in-depth account of the many times Israel turned from God, and how God always delivered them when they cried out. For me it was such a familiar story that I knew so well, and yet when I saw the psalm recount the extent of God’s unfailing mercy to a nation that blatantly turned their backs on Him so many times, it brought me to tears on more than one occasion. So, the psalms are repetitive because we need them to be. We need to be reminded of these things because we so easily forget the character of God and what He has done.

In the Psalms David very often goes from crying out to God about being tormented by his enemies, to in the very next line stating Praise the Lord for he is faithful. I pray that some day this becomes my consistent response to hardship. I hope my instinct will be to not only cry out to God for deliverance, but also to praise Him for how faithful He’s been in the past, and how faithful He will be in the future because His character never changes. David had seen God keep His promises repeatedly, so he was confident to say that God is faithful in the midst of his trials. Several of the psalms recount in great detail the journey of the nation of Israel, the torment they endured, and how God was faithful in delivering them from Egypt through it all. David and Asaph both wrote about how the nation of Israel ignored God so often, and yet they were delivered by him whenever they called for help. Though we naturally run from God, He repeatedly delivers us, and shows us His endless mercy whenever we cry out to Him. It is a consistent pattern of God’s faithfulness in spite of our faithlessness.

I pray that this book would encourage all who read it, and that you might be challenged to hold onto God’s promise and His faithfulness in trials just a little tighter as we see the psalmists do repeatedly in this book.

Warning

I would like to point out that the poems written in this book are not a substitute for God’s word. They are merely a creative spin on the psalms, meant to engage readers and allow the ideas contained in the psalms to flow more naturally off the tongue. While I did make every attempt to keep these as accurate as possible and stick very closely to the original meaning, they are not perfect, and they are by no means better than the originals. In fact, I would highly encourage you to go through both these poems and the original psalms simultaneously and ensure that you are not missing any of the rich truths of God’s word.

The Tree by the Stream (Psalm 1)

Blessed is he who does not walk,

In step with those who mock.

Blessed is he who finds delight

In doing all he knows is right.

Day and night he has his mind

On the law of God’s design.

Like a tree set by a stream,

It yields much fruit to glean.

It’s leaves will not be somber,

But all his labors, prosper.

But the wicked, will not behold,

The glory of the Lord.

Like a chaff that’s blown away,

They will not stand on judgment day.

The Lord watches over his elect,

But all the wicked he will correct.

His Victory’s Spoil (Psalm 2)

Why do people plot in vain,

Against God’s holy name?

Kings of earth rise up together,

And rulers in the same endeavor.

They mumble in agreed distain.

Saying, Let us break their chains.

Our God enthroned in heaven laughs,

And terrifies them in his wrath.

He says "I have installed my King,

On Zion let his victory ring."

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree,

For in his love he’s said to me,

Today you have become my son.

And through my victory you have won,

A claim in my inheritance,

And all the earth you will possess.

And with a rod you will destroy,

My enemies and all they employ.

Therefore oh kings be pure and wise,

Lest you see your own demise.

Serve the Lord with sober fear,

Celebrate his rule with trembling ears.

Kiss his son or see his rage,

Destruction is his bitter wage.

His wrath will be like scourging fire,

So make his refuge your desire.

Protector from Fools (Psalm 3)

A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absolom.

Lord how many are my foes!

Lord how many will oppose!

Many fools have said to me,

Your God will not deliver thee.

But Lord to me you are a shield,

Your glory cannot be concealed.

You lift my lowly head up high,

And Lord you hear me when I cry.

I lie in peace here as I sleep,

I wake again because of thee.

I will not fear ten thousand men,

Against you Lord, no man contends.

Arise my Lord, deliver me God,

Strike my enemies on the jaw;

Take the wicked and break their teeth,

But may on us, your blessing be.

The Discipline of Silence (Psalm 4)

A psalm of David.

Answer me Lord whenever I call,

Righteous God you are my all.

Give me relief in my distress,

Lord my prayer do not suppress.

People make my glory change

What once was glory into shame.

Know that God has set apart

his faithful servant for his heart.

Tremble now and do not sin,

When on your beds have discipline.

Search your hearts and lie there silent,

Give sacrifices of the righteous.

Many ask impatiently

Who will bring prosperity?

Let the light of God shine down,

And let their grain and wine abound.

In peace I lie here down to sleep,

For you alone my safety keep.

Leader of the Righteous (Psalm 5)

A psalm of David.

Listen Lord to my lament,

Hear my cry in my torment.

It is to you my King I pray,

Oh God my God give ear today.

In the morning you hear me say,

All my requests at dawn of day.

I wait on you with expectedness,

You are not pleased with wickedness.

You do not welcome evil people,

You won’t receive the arrogant either.

You hate those doing wrong in your sight,

You will destroy all those who lie.

All the bloodthirsty and deceitful,

Lord you detest this kind of evil.

Because of your love I enter your house,

In humble reverence I bow down.

Lead me Lord in righteousness,

Let me not trust maliciousness.

Other’s throats are open graves,

And to their lies their tongues are slave.

Declare them guilty Oh my God,

Let their intrigues be their flaw.

Banish this people for their sins,

They’ve rebelled against you, once again.

But those who lean on you be glad,

And sing for joy knowing that,

You’ve spread your protection over them.

Therefore rejoice and be content.

Surely Lord you bless the right,

You favor them, most any fight.