Reformed Theology: in times like these.
The paraphrase that Locke did continues. Locke is working on the following verse Cast me not away from your presence/ and take not your Holy Spirit from me. (Ps 51:11, ESV). Sprite, to Locke, was used as we would use spirit, and the remainder of the text is fairly clear. Loe prostrate, Lorde, before thy Continue Reading
This is one of those things where the older language and the newer language differ. The verse Locke is paraphrasing in a modern translation is. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right[b] spirit within me. Psalm 51:10, ESV However, the text Locke paraphrased is listed beside the sonnet, and is difficult Continue Reading
Locke continues. Hyssop was used to sprinkle consecrated water on healed lepers as a rite of purification. (Leviticus 14:3-8). Locke takes this as analogy: as the priest cleansed the leper, So David pleaded for his guilt to be removed, and so Locke looks to Christ for his mercy Purify me with hyssop, and I shall Continue Reading
Locke is paraphrasing a psalm in which David asks forgiveness. He not only stole Bathsheba from her husband, but ensured he was killed in a coverup. It is often the coverup that does more damage. The verse paraphrased today is the second half of verse four. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what Continue Reading
The text for Locke’s sonnet is Psalm 51:3 For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. Smart mean pain, gilt is not golden but guilt. Most of the rest is fairly self explanatory. As usual, if in doubt, read it out loud: Scots accent is optional. Haue mercie, Lord, haue mercie: Continue Reading
Anne Locke continues her paraphrase, remaining in the first verse of Psalm 51. She cannot count her faults or number the deeds she has done in error. But she trusts that the mercy of God is greater. According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1b, ESV My many sinnes in nomber are encreast,With Continue Reading
I am repeating this sonnet sequence, in part because it is reformed, in part because it is in English, and in part because it predates Shakespeare, and finally, because Tudor women were tough. These are the biographical facts of Anne Locke’s life: she was the daughter of Steven Vaughan, who was in Henry VIII’s service Continue Reading
Two blogs ago I went through Anne Locke’s sonnets, and translated them. Not going to do that again: this is Elizabethan English, and a meditation on Psalm 51. To make it easier, I’m attaching the verse from a modern, accurate translation. Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness Continue Reading
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