Sitting in the Gate

“The king is sitting in the gate.
And all the people came before the king.”
I read it early this morning,
Second Samuel, nineteen, verse eight.

King David had a boy named Absalom
Who hung himself on a tree and was killed there.
When he heard it, David’s heart just went numb
To the pain in this life - to a loss he couldn’t bear.

Who could blame you, Lord, if you didn’t come down today?
Who could blame you, Lord, if you just stayed home today,
Hid your face and grieved alone your Son?
If you didn’t come down today, who could blame you?

But you, in the high, cold spring, Lord – you washed your face
And walked down that long road to take your rightful place –
To take your justice seat in the city gate.

So, I want to thank you, Lord. If you hadn’t come down today,
I wouldn’t know how to love, what to think, surely how to pray;
I need you just to face the rising of the sun.

So, yet another night is passing, Mercy, you can take it!
In the breaking light, Lord, I see you still sitting there,
And my burden feels light. Lord, I think I can make it
To the end of the day – just one more cross I might bear.

The king is sitting in the gate.
And all the people come before the king.
I believe it all this morning,
Second Samuel, nineteen, verse eight.