Thank you Andrew Bélanger for
collaborating with me on this poem!
This poem is based on Psalm 109, and the Psalm is about Judas Iscariot. Andrew provided a unique perspective by drafting the poem from Peter’s perspective. I kept Peter’s perspective and incorporated more of the psalm into the poem.
Saint Peter’s Lament Psalm 109
O Master, don’t be silent. Answer me!
Jerusalem, restless beneath Your cross of Calvary .
That night O Lord, when Judas came
Blood still heavy upon your brow.
With silver tongue, he drew near now
And by a kiss, he sold Your name.
Then by torch and shackle were You led fast
That Lamb foretold in ages past.
And I, near by, kept warm by fire,
See You stand before the priests.
Their words, unholy with deceit
Sharpened by law and dark desires
Against the innocent and just
“To kill the blasphemous Christ we must!”
That servant girl who caught my eye
“Is He not your master? I’ve seen you near.”
And at that moment seized by fear
“I know not He.” Said I,
Then away out to the gate I turned
But with shame I not yet burned.
The love towards Judas You displayed
Is now gossip in the street.
Though You washed Judas’s feet,
Thirty pieces of silver he paid
So on the Lamb, the wolves could feed
While the Lamb is left to bleed.
And somehow Judas may run free.
Though he should stand in Your place
For betraying You with such disgrace—
For all his evil treachery.
May he be cut off from the Vine
For all the times he was unkind!
May upon his neck that silver weigh
And the accuser be at his right hand
And his office be filled by another man!
May he not live out all his days;
May the silver’s weight cast him into the deep.
But then why do I feel fit to weep?
Another servant sees me and declares
“With my own eyes I have seen
You were with this Nazarene.”
“By God, I don’t know Him! I swear.”
Stunned then by my own decree
Just as Judas am I found guilty.
Let all the curses that he said
Return upon his own head!
Curses were his winter coat
So may it be his daily belt!
May all his curses be felt
Like a body water-soaked
Seeping into all his bones.
May his children be orphaned and alone!
Without Judas and Caphaiasis this vice
Would never have been done.
Against You they conspired as one
And gave Your name a price
May their bounty for You be their lasting misery
Paid by their living progeny!
Then a man’s gaze pierced me
“You’re one of the twelve,” he states.
Accusingly as he came through the gate
“The so-called Christ who came to be
I’ve seen you with that One.”
“I know Him not!” Cried my fearful angry tongue.
The roosters crow then struck me through
And I saw Your eyes divine.
They pierced through this soul of mine!
How could I think of Judas when I denied You!
Not one time or two but three!
And You’d bear them all on Calvary!
One day before You I will stand
And though Judas will be judged too
I cannot judge; my condemnation is due.
But alas who stands at my right hand
You my Perfect Mediator
My loving merciful Savior.
Justice for Judas; mercy for me
Your verdict is clear
Unrepentant ones, heed and hear:
Now is the time fall on your knees!
Weep bitterly and pray God gives
Repentance that you may be restored
To Him who loves us evermore
Repent and you won’t die, but live
Thank you for the opportunity to collaborate, I enjoyed this project.