Where the Righteous Repose

O Strength of the Land, thou art gone.
Bringing God forth through thy works
And the abundance of thy lovingkindness for thy people,
Virgin is the land again, purified through thy labors.

Rejoice, mourning land; restore a smile to thy face
O ye who hear tell ever new stories of thine Incomparable Power.
Myrrh-scented bitterness of thy tears will rise as a
Full incense of thy supplications for repose.
Of what works do we begin to recall, for
Grace bestowed from on high multiplied them beyond number.

The land, yea, the whole world despaired of finding a
Lord worthy of the honor bestowed upon him. Strength
Is finally found in humility, and power
With him who bends to touch the lowly.
Thee, O land’s new strength, with thee, is power without compare.

Blessed are they who lived in your time, for thou
Art the blessing most unexpected, in that
Thou art the father for whom all have longed;
Among men, the image of virtuous service, and for
Women the gentle compliment that meets all needs
And carefully tends the stability of our children.

Blessed, also, are rulers and authorities for whom this land
Is now the example of balance between authority and freedom;
The image of one, who after stripped of authority, instead bears
Fruit of humility and service, which is the image
Of the isolated mother who both sustains the innocence of
Thy childhood, and provides the opportunity within her
Womb for all to be graced with love and compassion.

For how can we compare thee to any other leaders of this day?
Thou hast served us longer than many live,
Hast used thine own substance to improve our sustenance, and
Borne us unto a truer and higher way,
The way on which thou hast now set out alone to find the
Savior from death itself. So, now take our thoughts
Of Love and thankfulness as coins in thy bag, as
Our last gift, to pay the way to a place of rest among the
Souls of the righteous, for in no other place shouldst thou be.

HMK Bhumibol Adulyadej speaking with one of the Thai people
HMK Bhumibol Adulyadej
Ignatius Strange Written by:

One Comment

  1. Ignatius Strange
    2016-11-22

    I noticed this passage from Psalm 112 after posting this poem:

    “Who dwelleth on high and looketh down on things that are lowly, in heaven and on earth. Who raiseth up the poor man from the earth, and from the dunghill lifteth up the pauper. That he may seat him with the princes, with the princes of His people, Who maketh the barren woman to dwell in a house and be a mother rejoicing over children.”

    This passage speaks of God, but is it not beautiful when we see examples in life of those who paint, in the flesh, the image of God in their words and deeds?

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