I hope you find meaning and freshness in Norman Fischer’s translation/version of Psalm 121. Norman is a renowned Zen priest, teacher, poet, and former co-abbot of the Zen Center in San Francisco.
I lift my eyes to the mountain peak –
Where does my help come from?
It comes from you
Maker of heaven and earth
Who holds my foot firm on the path up
Who’s constantly present
Everywhere aware
Look!
With you there’s no obscurity
Nothing is dim, asleep, inert
To those who question and struggle
You respond, keep hold, give cover
So that by day the sun won’t burn
Nor by night the moon mesmerize
You guard against evil
Enfold and reveal the soul
Guard my arrival
Secure my departure –
Now:
Always
Peace,
Charlie+