As I’ve studied Nephi’s psalm (2 Nephi 4:15-35) this week, I’ve noticed something that had not caught my attention before: The text divides fairly cleanly into sections, each one characterized by a repeated phrase:
| Section | Text |
|---|---|
| 1. First emotion: Delight | 15 …my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children. 16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard. |
| 2. Second emotion: Sorrow/remorse | 17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. 19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; |
| 3. Third emotion: Gratitude | 19… nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. 20 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. 21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. 22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. 23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time. 24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me. 25 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. |
| 4. The frustrating contradiction: his behavior vs. his blessings | 26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men 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? 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy? |
| 5. The rallying cry | 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. 30 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. |
| 6. The prayer | 31 O Lord, wilt 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? 32 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! 33 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. |
| 7. The commitment | 34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. 35 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; yea, I will cry 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. |
This outline helps me better understand Nephi’s emotional journey in this psalm:
- The first three sections establish the background by acknowledging three emotions he feels simultaneously: enthusiasm for spiritual things, remorse for his sins, and wonder at the miracles God has given him.
- The fourth section introduces the conflict: With everything God has done for him, why isn’t he better? Why does he fall so far short of his own expectations?
- The last three sections represent three different strategies for resolving this conflict: admonishing himself, pleading with God for help, and making promises to God.
For me, verse 31 has always marked a significant turning point in the psalm. Nephi’s tone shifts suddenly from self-motivation to earnest pleading, as though he recognizes that he can’t change by will power alone. He needs God’s help.
I think there is value in reading it that way, but today I’m reading it differently. I’m seeing his three strategies as complementary: take responsibility for your actions, ask God for help, and commit to follow through. We need God, but we can’t expect Him to do everything for us. As President Russell M. Nelson recently counseled us:
Put Jesus Christ first because your eternal life is dependent upon your faith in Him and in His Atonement. It is also dependent upon your obedience to His laws. Obedience paves the way for a joyful life for you today and a grand, eternal reward tomorrow.
“Think Celestial,” General Conference, October 2023
In other words, we need to trust God and work hard.
Nephi’s psalm carries a message of resilience. Do you see a gap between your potential as a child of God and your current self? Don’t give up! If God has blessed you in the past, He will continue to bless you in the future. If you have seen Him work miracles, then you know that He can work the miracle of your transformation. You may be frustrated, but don’t despair. He is the rock of your salvation, the rock of your righteousness. He is your everlasting God.
Today, I will follow Nephi’s patterns of repentance. When I fall short, I will rally myself, pray for help, and commit to do better.
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