Palatial Discord

The days were dark and oppressive.
Evil loomed around every corner.
Hatred filled the corridors.
Demonized.
Oppressed.
Contemptuous.
Envious.

The weightiness of darkness quenched the light.
Dimmed windows’ light filtered.
Towering walls hewn from rock.
Sturdy.
Immovable.
Ominous.
Impervious.

Coldness overwhelmed the summer heat.
Dampness pierced the bones.
Drops of sweat sent shivers through the palace.
Fear.
Danger.
Despair.
Apprehension.

Boisterous silence, vehement peace, constrained freedom.
Antagonistic accord, defiant respect, corrupt righteousness.

“Summon my armor-bearer … bring him NOW!”

Crazed lucidity, hysterical composure, impetuous calm.
Incoherent logic, deranged sanity, unbalanced stability.

Honor demanded from all, great and small.
Subjects bowed or reaped fierce rage.
Desperate anguish compelled urgent command.
Agitated.
Distraught.
Feverish.
Hysterical.

Unexplained anger filled the room.
A shepherd-king sorely despised.
Unholy words spewed from hate-filled heart.
Hostility.
Bitterness.
Cursing.
Scorn.

Hushed sound of shuffling feet.
Disturbed whispers of the king’s court.
Jealousy evoked unnatural displeasure.
Abnormal.
Bizarre.
Deviant.
Perverted.

Dissatisfied fulfillment, libelous kindness, cynical optimism.
Hateful benevolence, skeptical trust, envious contentment.

“I charge you … play for me your harp! Sing!”

Distressful peace, irritable composure, aggressive complacency.
Hostile tranquility, violent peace, discomforted serenity.

Harp’s sacred melody provoked the king’s rage.
Evil spirit forcefully commanded his soul.
Hellish assault ensued … javelin hurled.
Aggression.
Attack.
Assail.
Onslaught.

Dissonance gave way to consonance.
Discord gave way to accord.
Disharmony gave way to harmony.
Assent.
Unison.
Melodious.
Freedom.

Armor-bearer’s anointed psalm composed.
King’s heart liberated to freedom.
Weight of glorious praise transformed palatial tone.
Uncorrupt.
Hallowed.
Sacred.
Holy.

Heavenly strain, rapturous melody, celestial prose.
Consecrated theme, sacred etude, Davidic psalm.

In the midst of evil, confusion, and danger,
“David strengthened himself in Adonai his God.”

“I will praise you with a lyre
For your faithfulness, Adonai;
I will sing praises to you with a lute,
Holy One of Isra’el.
My lips will shout for joy;
I will sing your praise
Because you have redeemed me.
All day long my tongue
Will speak of your righteousness.
For those who are seeking to harm me
Will be put to shame and disgraced.”


1 Samuel 30:6 (CBJ)
Psalm 71:22-24 (CJB)