Sing Dreams in the Deepness of Sleep

I've been stirred through the years, to welcome certain recurring readings or psalms from the Breviary, as though they were 'old friends' come to visit. Each is unique and presents some special gift. Psalm 127, from Wednesday, Evening Prayer of Week III, is one of those 'friends'.

If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchmen keep vigil.

In vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat: when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.

'Brother Psalm' arrives with his kin, the 'Other Readings and Prayers'. As familiar as the full moon, he enters with a broad smile, "Old friend, I'm back and God give you peace!" "And peace be with you, Brother Psalm", I reply.

The other messengers kneel down. "We have come to assist in praise for 'The Most High'."

"Shall we begin?" invites Brother Psalm our Maestro.

"Apart from God our efforts are useless;" Brother Psalm announces tonight's concerto.

(Three times the refrain. Two stanzas the score. One message the psalm.)

"Building without God is not building." (Accelerando)

"Watching without God is not watching." (Animato)

"Working without God is not working." (Con spirito)

(His triple refrains are celestial enlightenment; worth hearing a thousand times.)

"Oh pardon me Brother Psalm, but may I join in this praise to 'The Most High' who pours gifts on his beloved when they slumber?"

Brother hands me his hidden score, crinkled parchment from untold deep: "Simply sing 'this praise' in the deepness of sleep."

Praise be You, my Lord, through Brother Psalm, Who brings song and knowledge of You.

Blessed are those who hear his concert from Heaven, ---"Apart from God our efforts are useless"---

Praise be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Sleep, Who enlivens and gives dreams to the weary.

Blessed are those who receive Your gifts when they slumber, Unearned reward for being loved by You.