Blessings בְּרָכָה

Background:

The Arabic word بركة (barakah) has several meanings and carries significant theological and cultural meaning in Islam. In Judaism, the Hebrew word בְּרָכָה (barakah) also has deep meaning, including as a name for daily prayers or “blessings.” Both peoples consider "barakah" as deeper and more multifaceted than the English word “blessing.” 

 

When I was looking at Ephesians 1:3-14, a kind of song or poem that starts with the theme of God’s blessings, I found that Paul uses the word εὐλογητός (eulogetos) as the Greek equivalent of barakah that is found in the Hebrew scriptures. So when I wrote this poem based on the Ephesians passage, it seemed using this word with so much depth and meaning was appropriate:

 

Barakah

By Paul Bunge

Blessed be is “barakah”

In temple, synagogue, and scroll

Praise God the source of barakah

He’s the blessings honor roll 

 

God fathered Jesus Christ

Who is our Lord and President

He barakahs us at God’s side

Though he knows our lesser tent

 

Barakah started long ago

Pre-paleozoic age

The God of law and perfection

Took us at our awkward stage

 

Before the time of time began

This God of perfect want and will

Of nature planets cosmos rolling

Used barakah to make them still  

 

Insight of God is fact and wise

All inside of us he knows 

Our plans and dreams of selfish gain

One cut, it’s gone, as red blood flows

 

But barakah and baby’s breath

Eternity found in a stable

Put that red blood in sacred bag

To nurture one who would be able

 

The marrow barakah’d his cheeks

His voice gave life and clarified

In others loss of blood you’re gone

When his flowed out, our sins died

 

Barakah to us is free

Lavished all he has stored up

He planned it though it’s mystery

All punishment he drank that cup

 

But wait, there’s more it’s hope he has

We without a bank account

Have all things promised to deliver

Have his will, last testament 

 

The promissory can’t be lost

Barakah between our cells

Holy Spirit gospel faith

In moving body deepest wells

 

All this promise hope and truth

Now who we are, his final story

He will be back our only vision

In meantime barakah and glory