O Beloved, how numerous are my fears!
They rise up within me whispering
there is no help for you. 
 Yet You, O Beloved,
are a shield about me…
When I cry out to You,
You answer within my heart.
–Psalm 3:1-4 Nan C. Merrill,
Psalms for Praying (adapted)

Numerous are the nameless fears 
that rise up against me. 
They draw back their bows 
and fire sharp thoughts. 

But You, O Beloved, 
are swift and strong– 
a shield about me,
a shelter within,
so I can rise again.

You have saved me
again
and again
and again.

And you will keep saving me
until all my fears fade into love.

I used to be afraid I wasn’t loved.
Then I feared I didn’t love enough
or my love would be rejected.

Then one day,
when my love was cast aside,
I wasn’t afraid.
I was hurt,

then I was sad

and then I was
free
to keep loving.

Rise up, Love! Set me free!
For through your guidance,
my fears will fade into love.
Free from fear, I will know 
the Oneness of Being that 
encompasses everything! 
I shall be free to serve Love
with a glad and open heart.
–Psalm 3:7-8 Nan C. Merrill, Psalms for Praying

Credits and References:
Image by Anne Yungwirth. Used with permission.
Free by Esther Hizsa 2024

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2024.
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