Defended Praise

Praise the Lord, for He is good;
He grants deliverance from the sword--
He sends bright angels in darkened wood,
Defends from demons with mighty word.

He protects the warrior's fragile life,
Even when all is surrendered for dead--
He lifts us all up out of our strife,
And lets our hungry souls be fed.

The Lord is good to the undeserving,
Saving and blessing beyond compare--
His loyalty is now and ever unswerving,
His love ever with us in hardship to share.

In His presence, we are never alone--
Never do we toil without a guide.
From start of day till day is done,
His wondrous love is glorified.

Paradise

You ask me what's paradise?
You ask me what greater slice
Of joy there is beyond this,
Beyond scenery and abstract bliss?

The endless exploration of the sea,
The joyous reunion of brother and me,
And endless stunts, through endless lights,
Stunts for art, and not for fights.

The ceaseless renewal of friends long gone,
Meeting them on my grassy lawn
Where I've planted trees of fruits unknown,
Lovely plants my hands have grown.

The travel through the endless stars,
Beyond red gates of fiery Mars
To see and rejoice throughout all space,
Rejoicing in my God's good grace.

You ask me what's paradise?
It is a much greater slice
Of joy than the island I miss,
And full of endless, timeless bliss.