Psalm of Nephi

If the LDS Church had someone to whom we would equate to Superman, it would be Nephi.  Not in a literal sense, but still a very cool guy.

Nephi lived in Jerusalem around 600 BC.  He left with his father and brothers and eventually came to this continent.  He alone is responsible for nearly 20% of what is known as the Book of Mormon, and is the first person of whom we have record writing in it.  There are several stories of him doing awesome things, while his older brothers rebelled.

Shortly after the death of his father, Lehi, Nephi shows what I feel is his human side.  It is here I wish to share my thoughts on this -psalm- if you will.

And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass.  For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and profit of my children.

Scriptures are that which testify of Christ (John 5:39).  Later in his writings, Nephi states that his soul delights in Christ, so it is natural to assume that his soul would delight in that which testified of him.  It is interesting to note as well he was very interested in assuring that his children would have access to these sacred writings as well.

Behold, my soul, delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually the things which I have seen and heard.

Nephi has had powerful dreams of things to come, seen angels on several occasions, had visions of the Son of God, and even spoke face to face with the Holy Ghost.  He has had several powerful encounters with spiritual things.  But then he writes-

Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my hart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am!  Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.  I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me

This is perhaps where he seems to be most human.  I often think that if Nephi of all people feels this way, it must be alright for me to feel this way as well.  I think these feelings of inadequacy are part of the human experience.  I get the feeling he uses his guilt to motivate him to be better, not for self loathing.

And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.  My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.  He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.  He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.  Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the nighttime.  And by day I have waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.  And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

This guy has seen it all, and done it all.  I have had some pretty powerful experiences in my life, but nowhere near the level he has.  And despite this, he returns to -

O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited me in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?  And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

 I love that question!  I have seen some amazing stuff, so why do I even listen to the devil? Why do I let him bring me down?  Why?

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies.  Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.  Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.


The call to be better!  The call to push the adversary aside and move on!

O Lord, with thou redeem my soul?  Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies?  Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?  May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite!  O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!  O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness!  O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies!  Wilt thou make my path straight before me!  Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way-but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

What a prayer!  I think in everyone's heart lies the same prayer, just never so beautifully spoken.  Imagine the power of righteousness that would prevail if we would all seek to employ this in our lives!

He then closes

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever.  I will not put my trust in the arm of the flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of the flesh.  Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm.  Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh.  Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness.  Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God.  Amen.

To have the strength to claim that one will ALWAYS trust in God is awesome.  I find it easy to make promises when things are going good, but in the face of adversity,  I try to do it all alone.

This has always been one of my favorite passages of scripture.  It gives me hope.