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    AC Benus
  • AC Benus
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  • 05/10/2019
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

David and Jonathan - 1. "He loved him as he loved himself"

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David and Jonathan, "He loved him as he loved himself"

Sacred Motet for the blessings of a same-sex union

for Choir, Tenor and Baritone

 

 

[Part One – Choir]

 

CHOIR:

My heart exalts in the Lord,

My strength is exalted in God.

I have trumped my enemy,

And rejoice in my victory –

For there is no God like our Lord,

And there is no rock like our God.[1]

 

Speak boastfully no longer,

Nor speak arrogance from your mouth,

For the All-knowing is Lord

And He who judges every deed.

 

The mighty's bows are broken,

While the tottering walk in strength –

The Lord makes poor and makes rich,

While he humbles and he exalts.

 

He raises up the needy,

And from ashes lifts up the poor –

He seats them with the mighty,

And makes a throne their legacy. [2]

 

My heart exalts in the Lord,

My strength is exalted in God.

I have trumped my enemy,

And rejoice in my victory –

For there is no God like our Lord,

And there is no rock like our God.

 

 

[Part Two – Narrative and Psalm]

 

TENOR:

Whereupon the field of battle,

Where young David slew Goliath,

Saul and his fine son Jonathan

Were presented with the hero.

By the time David was speaking,

Jonathan had fallen in love

With young David so dearly that,

His life depended upon him:

He loved him as he loved himself. [3]

 

That day David did not return

To live within his father's house,

For he and Jonathan entered

Into a bond before the Lord.

They shared all their worldly goods

Since David had fallen in love

With Jonathan so dearly that,

His life depended upon him:

He loved him as he loved himself. [4]

 

 

[Psalm]

 

BARITONE:

"Hearken to my words, O Lord,

Attend to my sighing.

Listen to my call, My God –

At dawn, You hear my voice,

And I, bring my plea before You.

 

You delight not in wickedness;

No evil man remains with you,

The arrogant cannot stand up,

And You destroy all their falsehoods,

For the Lord abhors all deceit.

 

In You let all take refuge

And be glad forever.

Shield them whom in You find joy –

For You bless the just man,

And protect us with Your good will."[5]

 

 

[Part Three – Narrative for Choir and Soloists]

 

CHOIR:

Seeing how successful they were,

Jonathan's father Saul conceived

To separate the two of them.

Jonathan warned, and David fled.[6]

 

BARITONE:

"What have I done?" He asked him.

"What offence does your father

Hold against me to seek my life?"

 

TENOR:

"My father," said Jonathan,

"Does not conceal from me, so –

He cannot wish to kill you."

 

BARITONE:

"But warn me if it is true.

Do this in kindness, because…"

 

BARITONE AND TENOR:

"The Lord's holy bond is between us,

And is that into which you have brought me.[7]

For my life depends upon you,

And I love you more than I love myself." [8]

 

CHOIR:

Jonathan was good to his word.

He sounded out and thus confirmed

His father's dark intentions.

And in his love for David,

Jonathan renewed his oath to him:

He loved him as he loved himself. [9]

 

TENOR:

David rose to prostrate himself

Three times on the ground before him,

In homage to Jonathan.

 

BARITONE:

They kissed each other and renewed

The vows they’d made before the Lord.

At last, Jonathan told David:

 

TENOR:

"Go in peace, and keep what we two

Have sworn by the name of the Lord."

 

BARITONE AND TENOR:

"The Lord shall be between you and me,

And our posterity, forever.[10]

For my life depends upon you,

And I love you more than I love myself." [11]

 

 

[Part Four – Psalm]

 

TENOR:

"Do me justice, O God,

For I've walked in integrity.

For I have trusted in the Lord,

And done so without wavering.

 

Do search me out, O God,

Test me with all of Thy goodness.

Test me down to my heart and soul,

And see that I shall not waver!

 

For your kindness is before my eyes,

And I walk in your truth.

I've no time to waste on worthless men,

Or consort with hypocrites.

I hate the assembly of haters,

And with them will not stay.

I absolve my hands in innocence,

As is fit for your altar.

My voice raises thankfulness for You,

Recounting your wondrous deeds,

For I love the house in which you dwell,

The place where you pitch your glory.

 

I walk in integrity,

And You bless me with your mercy.

My feet stand on the highest ground,

And amongst men, I praise my Lord.

 

Do search me out, O God,

Test me with all of Thy goodness.

Test me down to my heart and soul,

And see that I shall not waver!"[12]

 

 

[Part Five – Prelude and Fugato for Choir and Soloists]

 

CHOIR:

To they who will make a vow,

The Lord's own pledge will be with them –

For those who will rest in love,

The Lord will bless the sleep of the just.

 

CHOIR WITH BARITONE AND TENOR:

For the pillars of the Earth

Are these He's set the world upon –

For He will guard faithfulness,

And cast the wicked to darkness.[13]

 

[Fugato]

TUTTI:

For not by strength alone does man prevail,

And the Lord's lying foes shall be shattered.

The most-high in heaven thunders,

And judges the ends of the Earth.[14]

Amen.

 

 

[1] 1 Samuel, 2:1-2

[2] 1 Samuel, 2:4-8

[3] 1 Samuel, 18:1-5

[4] 1 Samuel, 18:1-5

[5] The Book of Psalms, Psalm 5 – Prayer for Divine Help

[6] 1 Samuel, 18:12

[7] 1 Samuel, 18:20

[8] 1 Samuel, 18:1-5

[9] 1 Samuel, 18:20

[10] 1 Samuel, 18:20

[11] 1 Samuel, 18:1-5

[12] The Book of Psalms, Psalm 26 – Prayer of a Blameless Man

[13] 1 Samuel, 2: 8-9

[14] 1 Samuel, 2: 9-10

_

This Motet, or church song, is rightly called sacred because every word of it comes directly from the bible.
Copyright © 2019 AC Benus; All Rights Reserved.
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

  • Popular Comment
AC Benus
  • Popular Comment

@BHopper2, @Mikiesboy and I were having a discussion on the presence of Gay people in the bible today. Certainly one would have to have a willful agenda of negation to look at the Book of Samuel and say of David and Jonathan "They were not that way." Because in reality, rarely in human history has the love of any two people been better memorialized than by Samuel, despite the convolutions the naysayers try to spin around them :) 

I had posted this previously, but today seemed a good day to bring it back.

Thank you for reading

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MichaelS36
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I was raised in the Catholic faith but I no longer practice. So much is said against us, against our unions, our love, how could I continue with a faith that feels we are so unworthy and wrong. I knew from a young age I was different. I spoke to the priest once, telling him what I felt. He was kind, but said loving a man this way was wrong and no marriage would be accepted in God's eyes. I didn't feel good afterwards and I think that day ended my relationship with the Church.  I wondered, how loving someone...man or woman could be wrong in anyone's eyes.

Thanks for this AC … it touched me in a number of ways.  

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Lyssa
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Again I have read this and again it is magnificent. We talked already on different occasion a lot about David and Jonathan, so you probably know, most of my thoughts to this topic. The form you choose to write those words, goes very deep into my heart. The music and voices raise up in me. It is a wonderful gift you made to bring this story in this form and to us.

(My historian-heart noticed, that the English translation and the German translation of the bible are so different in some aspects. I compared all the lines and I still can not give it a proper name, what it makes different, but it is. Both versions are very direct and clear in their message. Maybe it is just, that my native language is naturally connected to more emotions for me personal. But I assume, there is more to it and I have to think about it more.

Here is one example: Als David aufgehört hatte, mit Saul zu reden, verband sich das Herz Jonatans mit dem Herzen Davids, und Jonatan gewann ihn lieb wie sein eigenes Herz. (18.1 Lutherbibel)

literally translation: When David stopped talking with Saul, the heart of Jonathan bounded with the heart of David and Jonathan loved him like his own heart.

For me it feels, like the binding of the hearts comes in the German version from both Jonathan`s and David`s hearts.  Anyway, this is a topic for a deeper analysis and discussion, which I am sure, we will have sometime and I already look forward to it.) 🙂 🙂 🙂

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Mikiesboy
2 minutes ago, AC Benus said:

I'm sorry for being slow in answering all your wonderful comments to this piece. Life is getting in the way a bit, but know your thoughts and support mean a great deal to me. I'll be answering as soon as I can make worthwhile replies :yes: 

 

No worries, AC.  Life is like that for all of us sometimes, right?  Thanks for letting us know.

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AC Benus
On 5/9/2019 at 6:32 PM, Brayon said:

Thank you, AC for writing this, and reposting it. It is a beautiful story, and it's one that is in plain view for anyone to read.

This is direct praise, A, and I appreciate it! It would be nice if this Motet were required reading in a few place too, like schools, churches, 'conversion' therapy sessions, etc. ;)

Thanks again!

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AC Benus
On 5/9/2019 at 8:12 PM, Mikiesboy said:

Gay people have been here always, and always will be.  Stop being afraid, we are no danger to you, or your lives. We just want to be.

Thanks so much for posting this and for all the wonderful information you generously share. xo

Thank you, Tim. And even the David and Jonathan story is considered to be only the second best same-sex love story in the Hebrew bible. Ruth and Naomi occupy the most beautiful position. I guess I will have to write about them as well :yes:

Thank again!

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AC Benus

AC Benus 36,635

Posted (edited)

On 5/10/2019 at 5:38 AM, MichaelS36 said:

I was raised in the Catholic faith but I no longer practice. So much is said against us, against our unions, our love, how could I continue with a faith that feels we are so unworthy and wrong. I knew from a young age I was different. I spoke to the priest once, telling him what I felt. He was kind, but said loving a man this way was wrong and no marriage would be accepted in God's eyes. I didn't feel good afterwards and I think that day ended my relationship with the Church.  I wondered, how loving someone...man or woman could be wrong in anyone's eyes.

Thanks for this AC … it touched me in a number of ways.  

Yes, Mike, and if only your priest had been honest with you about the marriage between David and Jonathan, how much pain you (and me as well) would have been spared. I believe priests in the Episcopal faith are now coming to tell LGBT and Questioning youth about this biblical match, and the one featuring Ruth and Naomi too. It's about time some truth were restored, and to think that in the past saintly couples were regarded as holy and sacred in the Church. Saints Serge and Bacchus, Polyeuct and Nearchos, Perpetua and Felicity -- and hell, some even said Saints Peter and Paul were a couple -- were all held up by the Church as exemplary examples of Christian love and devotion in love to one another. Really, the Christian church has about the least right of any world religions to be anti-gay now a days, as it's past was more than tolerant -- it was positively Gay-positive.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate them.   

     

Edited by AC Benus
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AC Benus
On 5/11/2019 at 3:15 PM, Defiance19 said:

David and Jonathan’s souls were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.  

That’s a bold, revelation, no? 

What you have done here is exquisite, AC. I can almost hear it as part of an evensong psalm and canticle lineup! 

Thank you, Def! Yes, they loved one another, and a passage from Samuel I did not use has our boys saying "Your love surpasses that of women to me." So, there's no doubt what sort of match they made, and no doubt that Saul went crazy because he saw his son as being seduced and lured away by the shepherd who would be king one day.

Thanks for your thoughts; they are always deeply appreciated! ❤️   

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AC Benus
  • Popular Comment
On 5/11/2019 at 12:18 AM, Lyssa said:

Again I have read this and again it is magnificent. We talked already on different occasion a lot about David and Jonathan, so you probably know, most of my thoughts to this topic. The form you choose to write those words, goes very deep into my heart. The music and voices raise up in me. It is a wonderful gift you made to bring this story in this form and to us.

(My historian-heart noticed, that the English translation and the German translation of the bible are so different in some aspects. I compared all the lines and I still can not give it a proper name, what it makes different, but it is. Both versions are very direct and clear in their message. Maybe it is just, that my native language is naturally connected to more emotions for me personal. But I assume, there is more to it and I have to think about it more.

Here is one example: Als David aufgehört hatte, mit Saul zu reden, verband sich das Herz Jonatans mit dem Herzen Davids, und Jonatan gewann ihn lieb wie sein eigenes Herz. (18.1 Lutherbibel)

literally translation: When David stopped talking with Saul, the heart of Jonathan bounded with the heart of David and Jonathan loved him like his own heart.

For me it feels, like the binding of the hearts comes in the German version from both Jonathan`s and David`s hearts.  Anyway, this is a topic for a deeper analysis and discussion, which I am sure, we will have sometime and I already look forward to it.) 🙂 🙂 🙂

Thank you for reading this, and for hearing the festive nature of the piece :) Samuel's retelling of this love story is among the most poetic in all the Hebrew bible, and that it's a same-sex love story seems to have put no one out of joint until somewhat recently. Then, in reaction to the idea, 19th century minds said "It's can't be that way. That's impossible." But naturally, the words of the original will always stand unaltered by narrow minded attempts to limit their appeal; that's just the nature of majority rule. 

As for the Luther Bible, you have me curious how he as a poet and theologian treated the mention of same-sex love in the various parts of the bible. Here, you clearly state that he was accurate to the spirit of Samuel conveying that David and Jonathan had become one in marriage to each other, but how did he treat the more openly hostile comments about Gay people? It would be interesting to know. 

As always, thank you for reading and sharing your comments. I always appreciate hearing your opinions and feedback :)

 

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AC Benus

AC Benus 36,635

Posted (edited)

On 5/11/2019 at 12:18 AM, Lyssa said:

Here is one example: Als David aufgehört hatte, mit Saul zu reden, verband sich das Herz Jonatans mit dem Herzen Davids, und Jonatan gewann ihn lieb wie sein eigenes Herz. (18.1 Lutherbibel)

🙂

Since you first wrote this, I've come to see Martin Luther's translations are far more accurate than the hotchpotch translations cobbled together for the King James committee-bible in English. I was shocked recently to learn American Lutherans use versions of the inferior KJV in preference to a straight translation of the Luther bible. It's sad, but ignorance runs rampant when dearly held misbeliefs are challenged. Such pointing out of ignorance causes the average person to revert back to "gut instincts" rather than admit there's still much to learn  

Edited by AC Benus
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