AWAKE, My Soul!

There is something deeply comforting about Nephi’s Psalm in 2 Nephi 4.

Nephi had seen angels. He had crossed oceans. He had been guided by revelation and preserved by the hand of God again and again. And yet, after all of that, he still cried:

“O wretched man that I am!”

I love that the scriptures leave that in.

Sometimes we think strong faith should eliminate struggle. But Nephi shows us something different. A faithful soul can still feel weary. Even someone who delights in the things of God can feel pulled down by weakness, temptation, sorrow, or disappointment.

As I read this chapter, I realized Nephi’s Psalm is really a sacred song of remembrance.

He remembers:

• God led him through afflictions.
• God preserved him upon the waters.
• God heard his cries.
• Angels ministered unto him.
• God filled him with love.

And then comes the turning point:

“Awake, my soul!”

I can almost hear Nephi preaching to himself.

Stop giving place to despair. Stop lingering in anger and grief. Remember who God is. Remember what He has already done. STOP WHINING!

That cry feels so familiar to me.

As a mother, I believed that if I raised my children in truth, none would wander. Life has not unfolded quite as simply as I imagined. But like Nephi, I trust in the Lord. I believe those who stray can still be drawn home by truth, covenant, and love.

One phrase in this chapter melts my heart:

“O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness!”

What a beautiful image!

I know how safe I feel when Clyde wraps his arms around me. How much greater will it be someday to feel encircled in the Savior’s love, completely sheltered in His mercy and righteousness?

Nephi ends where every true Psalm ends — not in despair, but in trust.

“I will trust in thee forever.”

So will I.