Mary Oliver and Psalm 19

These past few days I have been hearing, in my heart's ear, the voice of Mary Oliver from her poem "Mindful" in dialogue with the poetry of Psalm 19 in the King James Version. The dialogue comes out differently each time, yet keeps sounding something like this:

Psalm 19:

1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth God's handywork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

In them hath God set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which like a dreamer comes out of its chamber, shaking off sleep and rejoicing as a strong one to run a race.

6 Her going forth is from the end of the heaven, and her circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Mary Oliver:

Every day I see or hear

something that more or less

kills me with delight...

It is what I was born for--

to look, to listen,

to lose myself inside this soft world--

to instruct myself

over and over in joy and acclamation.

Psalm 19:7:

The guidance of God is trustworthy, sustaining the soul: the testimony of God is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of God are illuminating, rejoicing the heart: the wisdom of God is marvelous, enlightening the eyes.

9 The glory of God is radiant, enduring for ever: the counsels of God are true and wholesome altogether.

Mary Oliver:

Oh, good scholar,

I say to myself

how can you help

but grow wise with such teachings as these--

Psalm 19:

11 Moreover by them is thy servant awakened: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand their own errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Mary Oliver:

Oh, good scholar,

I say to myself

how can you help but grow wise with such teachings as these--


the untrimmable light

of the world,

the ocean's shine,

the prayers that are made out of grass?

Psalm 19:

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O God, my strength, and my song.