William Shakespeare
When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess’d,
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remember’d such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
Or, one could say: “Man, I’m having a rough go of it; can’t wait to see you.” Shakespeare’s Sonnet above communicates essentially the same truth, but somehow much, much deeper. Dr. T. David Gordon, in a wonderful introductory lecture to a 2003 Conference on the Psalms (mp3), maintains that this is one of the ways to understand some of the psalms. He also shares some profound ideas about the nature of the Hebrew (and later, Christian) religion concerning the theology and practice of the (personal and corporate) lament, how it practically provides true comfort for the suffering, and how all pagan religions fail in this respect.
I’m heading downstate tomorrow, then flying out Friday morning from Boston to NYC for the weekend on business, and to meet my newborn niece, Elasia Hope. The rest of the audio from Gordon’s conference will accompany me during drive-time. For non-drive-time, David Koyzis’ book, Political Visions and Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies will hold my attention. (I’m on a bit of Political Philosophy kick lately, if you haven’t noticed.) It’ll be nice to get away for a few days…
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2 responses so far ↓
1 Laur // Apr 5, 2006 at 8:16 pm
have fun, be safe, and don’t think too many deep thoughts.
2 Luke Middleton // Apr 5, 2006 at 11:01 pm
Enjoy
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