Shout for joy, O barren one,
The woman who did not bear;
Of a daughter or son,
No child can you declare.
Establish a joyful shout,
You who not having labor;
Allow your womb to cry out,
For informing your neighbor.
Children of the barren one,
Numerous to the married;
A larger tent for a son,
That you will soon be carried.
Stretch tent curtains further out,
Lengthen the ropes, pound stakes deep;
Calm your fears and release doubt,
To feel relaxed in your sleep.
You will spread out to the right,
Your children will seize nations;
Resettle after the fight,
Establish new relations.
Fear not and be not afraid,
You will not be put to shame;
It is God you have obeyed,
Worship and praise to proclaim.
No longer to be uncouth,
As you forget any shame;
Experienced from your youth,
That pride developed your fame.
Your husband is who made you,
Because His name is the Lord;
The Holy One remains true,
A shield not to be ignored.
For the Lord will call you back,
The wife feeling forsaken;
Giving the comfort that lack,
Embracing till awaken.
A short time God abandoned,
But having great compassion;
Knowing the stress had burdened,
In an immoral fashion.
For His concern like the flood,
His devotion is not gone;
But forgiveness through the blood,
Will bring on us a new dawn.
Copyright © 2018 Richard Newton Sherrer