AUTHOR’S NOTE: I’ve always liked music, and I’ve always loved the two chapters in these songs, Ecclesiastes 9 and Isaiah 59, so I adapted the chapters to lyrics and music. Enjoy. It can’t all be horrible ritual abuse investigative reporting. Sometimes you have to do something else. I started physical therapy for my neck, not that I expect it do anything for a spine held together by duct tape and hope. Today was a rough day, all around. Here’s to my second session tomorrow. Ecclesiastes 9 is a chapter I meditate on in these moments, so it’s appropriate.
Ecclesiastes 9 (Born to Die) Lyrics
[CHORUS]
All things come alike to all
There is one event to the righteous
And to the wicked alike
We all are born, and we all die
To the fool and the wise
[VERSE}
There is an evil under the sun
The hearts of men are full of evil
Madness in their heart, every single one
After which we, die and our still
We all go to the dead
Join yourself to the living in hope
Do not in darkness along a wall grope
Look forward to Zion after Sheol
for a living dog is better than a dead lion
ohhhh
[CHORUS]
All things come alike to all
There is one event to the righteous
And to the wicked alike
We all are born, and we all will die
To the fool and the wise
[BRIDGE]
Do you think he who shined
pointed Eve to the fruit
So that she would forever be alive
He pointed her to truth
Because to know the truth is to know you will die
[VERSE]
For the living know that they shall die
But the dead know nothing at all
They have no more reward
The memory of them is as dust
Begotten to be forgotten
Their love, their hatred, their trust, and all of their lies
All perished and gone
So go thy way, eat thy bread with joy
Drink your wine with a merry heart
For you are not alone but alive
This life is your portion and part
Let your garments be white
Let your head lack no oil
Live joyful with thy wife
All the days of your life
We’re all dying the moment we’re alive
[CHORUS]
All things come alike to all
There is one event to the righteous
And to the wicked alike
We all are born, and we all will die
To the fool and the wise
[VERSE]
The race is not to the swift
Or even the one who strives
Wisdom is better than strength
Wisdom will prolong the length of your lives
The wise words of a poor man are a gift
No one ever wants, even if they need it
For a man knoweth not his time
As fishes in an evil net
Birds caught in a snare
So are the sons of man spared
But we are destined to death.
[Chorus]
All things come alike to all
There is one event to the righteous
And to the wicked alike
We all are born, and we all die
To the fool and the wise
[VERSE]
There is a madness in our hearts
While we are alive
But we will all die
The race is not him who strives
We will all go to the dead
And lose our portion in this life
Whether we are the fool or the wise
We are all born, born to die.
Isaiah 59 (Set It Right)
[INTRO]
[CHORUS]
The Lord’s hand is not shortened
That is cannot save
His ears are not deaf
So that they cannot hear
Sin separates, He won’t be near
[VERSE]
Hands defiled with blood
Fingers stained with iniquities
Ochre stained flood
Lips pouring out lies
Tongue muttering perversions
Oh, Lord, hear my cries
[BRIDGE]
None pleadeth for justice or truth
Trust is in vanity and lies
Conceive mischief, bring forth iniquities
And wonder why justice fails and dies
Hatching spiders’ eggs and weaving webs
We crush the truth and bring forth death
[CHORUS]
The Lord’s hand is not shortened
That it cannot save
His ears are not deaf
So that they cannot hear
Sin separates, He won’t be near
[VERSE]
He who departs from evil
Makes himself a prey
Feet running to evil,
You know it’s the wrong way
Wasting and destruction in your path
The Lord’s silence is the Lord’s wrath
Roaring like bears, mourning like doves
Separated by sin from his love
[CHORUS]
The Lord’s hand is not shortened
That is cannot save
His ears are not deaf
So that they cannot hear
Sin separates, He won’t be near
[VERSE]
The Lord sees it, He is displeased
Judgement turned backwards,
justice far off
Truth is failing in the streets
He sends a cure for our disease
An intercessor to seize
Garments of vengeance
Cloaks of zeal
According to our deeds, He will repay
Fury to His adversaries
Recompense to his enemies
The Redeemer is coming to Zion
devouring the unrighteousness like a lion
He sends a savior so that we might be redeemed.
[CHORUS]
Oh, Lord, put your words in my mouth
Let your spirit fall upon me
Let your words not depart from my seed
Turn me from transgression
Deliver me from the Adversary’s repression
[CHORUS]
The Lord’s hand is not shortened
That it cannot save
His ears are not deaf
So that they cannot hear
Sin separates, He won’t be near
[VERSE]
Set it right, Lord
Let me be your sword
Set it right, Lord
Cut through with your Word
Set it right, Lord
Shed the blood of your enemies
with me as your blade
Vengeance is yours
Let your fire raze
Let your enemies find no shade
Let the streets run with their blood
Let your justice flow like a flood
Oh, Lord, hear the words of my voice
Keep me pure from temptation
Deliver me from my sin.
Set it right, Lord
Let me be your sword
Baptize me in the blood of your enemies
Set it it right, Lord
Drown the evildoers with your Word.
