15-18 You know where I am, God! Remember what I’m doing here!

Take my side against my detractors.

Don’t stand back while they ruin me.

Just look at the abuse I’m taking!

When your words showed up, I ate them—

swallowed them whole. What a feast!

What delight I took in being yours,

O God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!

I never joined the party crowd

in their laughter and their fun.

Led by you, I went off by myself.

You’d filled me with indignation. Their sin had me seething.

But why, why this chronic pain,

this ever worsening wound and no healing in sight?

You’re nothing, God, but a mirage,

a lovely oasis in the distance—and then nothing!

* * *