'Psalm 07' by John Milton


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Aug. 14. 1653.
Upon The Words Of Chush The Benjamite Against Him.


Lord my God to thee I flie
Save me and secure me under
Thy protection while I crie
Least as a Lion (and no wonder)
He hast to tear my Soul asunder
Tearing and no rescue nigh.

Lord my God if I have thought
Or done this, if wickedness
Be in my hands, if I have wrought
Ill to him that meant me peace,
Or to him have render'd less,
And fre'd my foe for naught;

Let th'enemy pursue my soul
And overtake it, let him tread
My life down to the earth and roul
In the dust my glory dead,
In the dust and there out spread
Lodge it with dishonour foul.

Rise Jehovah in thine ire
Rouze thy self amidst the rage
Of my foes that urge like fire;
And wake for me, their furi' asswage;
Judgment here thou didst ingage
And command which I desire.

So th' assemblies of each Nation
Will surround thee, seeking right,
Thence to thy glorious habitation
Return on high and in their sight.
Jehovah judgeth most upright
All people from the worlds foundation.

Judge me Lord, be judge in this
According to my righteousness
And the innocence which is
Upon me: cause at length to cease
Of evil men the wickedness
And their power that do amiss.

But the just establish fast,
Since thou art the just God that tries
Hearts and reins. On God is cast
My defence, and in him lies
In him who both just and wise
Saves th' upright of Heart at last.

God is a just Judge and severe,
And God is every day offended;
If th' unjust will not forbear,
His Sword he whets, his Bow hath bended
Already, and for him intended
The tools of death, that waits him near.

(His arrows purposely made he
For them that persecute.) Behold
He travels big with vanitie,
Trouble he hath conceav'd of old
As in a womb, and from that mould
Hath at length brought forth a Lie.

He dig'd a pit, and delv'd it deep,
And fell into the pit he made,
His mischief that due course doth keep,
Turns on his head, and his ill trade
Of violence will undelay'd
Fall on his crown with ruine steep.

Then will I Jehovah's praise
According to his justice raise
And sing the Name and Deitie
Of Jehovah the most high.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Psalm 07: A Critical Interpretation

As a literary masterpiece, Psalm 07 by John Milton is a poem that has stood the test of time. Comprised of fourteen stanzas, the poem is marked by its strong use of imagery, diction, and syntax. A close reading of Psalm 07 reveals that the poem is an epic and biblical recounting of the writer's plea for divine justice.

Context and Background

John Milton, who lived from 1608 to 1674, was an English poet and political activist. A devout Puritan, he wrote a number of works that reflected his religious beliefs, including Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, and Samson Agonistes. Psalm 07 was published in Milton's 1645 collection of poems, Poems of Mr. John Milton, both English and Latin.

The poem begins with a dedication to God and a plea for divine intervention. In the opening lines, Milton calls upon God to save him from the hands of his enemies. He then proceeds to describe his enemies and their actions, begging God to bring them to justice.

Imagery

One of the most striking features of Psalm 07 is its rich use of imagery. Milton's imagery is vivid and detailed, making the poem come alive in the reader's mind. The imagery he employs is drawn from the Bible, and it reflects the religious themes that are central to the poem.

For instance, in the first stanza, Milton portrays God as a shepherd who guards his flock from predators. He uses the image of a lion to represent his enemies, who seek to devour him. The image is striking and serves to emphasize the power of God and the danger posed by the enemies.

In the third stanza, Milton compares his enemies to a bow that is aimed at him. He describes their arrows as "fiery darts," which are aimed at him with deadly accuracy. The image is powerful and conveys a sense of danger and urgency.

Diction

Milton's use of language in Psalm 07 is also noteworthy. His diction is formal and elevated, reflecting the religious and epic themes of the poem. He employs a range of rhetorical devices, including alliteration, rhyme, and repetition, to create a sense of rhythm and musicality.

For example, in the final stanza, Milton uses the repetition of the phrase "O let the righteous" to emphasize his plea for justice. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and reinforces the central message of the poem.

In addition, Milton's use of biblical language and allusions adds depth and resonance to the poem. He draws on a range of biblical stories and motifs, including the Good Shepherd, the Tower of Babel, and the Flood. These allusions serve to connect the poem to a wider religious tradition and to emphasize the timeless themes of justice and righteousness.

Syntax

Finally, the syntax of Psalm 07 is worth noting. Milton's syntax is complex and intricate, reflecting the formal and elevated style of the poem. He uses a range of syntactical structures, including parallelism, inversion, and chiasmus, to create a sense of symmetry and balance.

For example, in the second stanza, Milton uses parallelism to describe his enemies. He describes them as "workers of iniquity" and as those who "speak peace with their neighbors but mischief is in their hearts." The parallel structure creates a sense of balance and symmetry, and underscores the duplicity and malice of the enemies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Psalm 07 by John Milton is a literary masterpiece that combines vivid imagery, formal diction, and intricate syntax to create a powerful and moving poem. The poem is marked by its biblical themes of justice and righteousness, and by its plea for divine intervention in the face of danger and adversity. Milton's use of language and allusions serves to connect the poem to a wider religious tradition, and to emphasize the timeless nature of its message. As such, Psalm 07 remains a testament to the enduring power of poetry and the written word.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Psalm 07: A Masterpiece of John Milton

John Milton, the renowned English poet, is known for his epic works such as Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. However, his lesser-known works, such as his Psalms, are equally impressive. Psalm 07, in particular, is a masterpiece that showcases Milton's poetic genius and his deep understanding of the human condition.

The poem is a reflection on the psalmist's plea for justice and protection from his enemies. It is a powerful expression of the psalmist's faith in God's justice and his unwavering trust in God's protection. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique theme and message.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with the psalmist's plea for God's protection, "O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me." The psalmist is seeking refuge from his enemies, who are threatening his life. He is confident that God will protect him and deliver him from his enemies.

The second stanza is a reflection on the nature of evil. The psalmist acknowledges that evil exists in the world and that it is a force to be reckoned with. He describes his enemies as "ravening lions" and "young lions" who are seeking to devour him. He also acknowledges that evil can take many forms, including deceit and treachery. Despite this, the psalmist remains steadfast in his faith, knowing that God will ultimately triumph over evil.

The third stanza is a declaration of the psalmist's faith in God's justice. He acknowledges that God is a righteous judge who will judge the wicked and reward the righteous. He declares that he is innocent of any wrongdoing and that his enemies are the ones who are guilty. He calls on God to judge his enemies and to vindicate him.

One of the most striking features of Psalm 07 is its use of vivid imagery. Milton uses powerful metaphors and similes to convey the psalmist's emotions and experiences. For example, in the first stanza, he compares the psalmist's enemies to "ravening lions" and "young lions" who are seeking to devour him. This metaphor conveys the psalmist's sense of vulnerability and fear.

In the second stanza, Milton uses the metaphor of a "pit" to describe the psalmist's enemies' deceitful ways. He writes, "They have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves." This metaphor conveys the psalmist's sense of justice and his belief that evil will ultimately be punished.

Another striking feature of Psalm 07 is its use of repetition. The psalmist repeats the phrase "O Lord my God" several times throughout the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize the psalmist's faith in God and his trust in God's protection. It also serves to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem.

In addition to its use of imagery and repetition, Psalm 07 is also notable for its use of language. Milton's language is rich and poetic, with a cadence that is both powerful and beautiful. He uses words like "persecute," "deliver," and "vindicate" to convey the psalmist's emotions and experiences. His use of language is both precise and evocative, creating a vivid picture of the psalmist's world.

Overall, Psalm 07 is a masterpiece of English poetry. It is a powerful expression of the psalmist's faith in God's justice and his unwavering trust in God's protection. It is a testament to Milton's poetic genius and his deep understanding of the human condition. The poem's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and language creates a powerful and moving work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.

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