Psalm of Nephi

Mazmuur Naafi: The Arabic Psalm of Nephi
Ahmed Jamal Qureshi
Digital print on paper, 2002
6th LDS International  Art Competition

The Psalm of Nephi (2 Nephi 4:16–35) like other scriptural psalms, has a way of touching hearts and souls, encouraging us to reach out to the Lord.  As a class we will be singing this at the Dianella Stake Single Adult Fireside in August.  The words, by John Tanner, are posted here for reference.  Also linked is an interesting article where brother Tanner talks about the development of two different hymn texts based on this block of scripture.

“I Love the Lord”

I love the Lord. In him my soul delights.
Upon his word, I ponder day and night.
He’s heard my cry, brought visions to my sleep,
And kept me safe o’er deserts and the deep.
He’s filled my heart with his consuming love,
And borne me high on wings of his great dove.

Yet oft I groan, “O wretched man am I!”
My flesh is weak and I’m encompassed by
A world of sin, which holds me in its thrall,
If I give in and to temptations fall.
Then strength grows slack, I waste in sorrow’s vale.
My peace destroyed, my enemies prevail.

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin.
Rejoice, my heart! And let me praise again
The Lord my God, who is my rock and stay
To keep me strict upon his straight, plain way.
O let me shake at the first sight of sin
And thus escape my foes without and in

References:
John S. Tanner : Two Hymns Based on Nephi's Psalm
http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/10/2/S00006-50e5e9352684f6Tanner.pdf
6th LDS International Art Comptition : The Book of Mormon Its History and Message 
https://history.lds.org/exhibit/1999-international-art-competition?lang=eng1999InternationalArtCompetition-OnlineExhibit