O Key of David (O Clavis)

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel; you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open: Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Key of David, set my bound will free: Unlock every barred way; Open the prison in the heart of me; Lead me into the light of day. Come to me as the rising sun; Unclasp with liberating light; Mount your chariot your courses run And bring me out of darkest night. Resentment rusted, my bound heart-- Unable to release the catch. Your love opens with a locksmith's art As tumbled tears let go the latch. And bid you enter my frozen soul Filling with freedom, making me whole.

© Randy Edwards 2015 artwork: from The Queen Mary Apocalypse, England (London or East Anglia), 1st quarter of the 14th century, Royal 19 B. xv, f. 38v #poetry #sonnet #christian #devotional #advent #GreatOAntiphon