Comparison on Selected Psalms and Bangla Poems

Comparison on Selected Psalms and 

Bangla Poems

Introduction: In the Bible we find a book of psalms. It is known to us that many psalms were written by David and his choirs we can say David is the composer of this book. In that time these psalms were used in praying or worshiping to God. Normally we can say it us a prayer book. Though we can find some psalms in which complain, crying, joy historical events etc. Psalms are all about God and human being and their relationship. Here mainly, God is praised by Israelites.

Psalm: 27

Main idea of the psalm: In this psalm it is clear that this is a psalm of hope and psalmist knows no fear in the midst of dangers and foes and his highest hope is in God the Yahweh. This psalm is written by David. The whole psalm indicates the congregational worship.[1]

Why I have chosen this psalm?

When I am weak that time I may get fear of anything but I need strength to work to go forward. When I do not get anybody, that time I am so helpless. Here the psalmist tells us that God will protect us in our distress and hide me in His tend when I am chased by armies. God will never put me to the desire of my enemies. Reading this psalm I have found one poem in bengali literature that is ‘dambha.

`¤¢       Dcj ZvjyK`v ÒAvgvi mvg‡b AÜKvi †cQ‡b weeY© giæf~wg Avi cÖZ¥ZvwË¡K weaŸ¯Í cÖvPxb bMi| †m Rb¨ Avgvi †Kvb `y:L †bB †Kb bv Zzwg Avgvi nvZ a‡i AvQ|

Zzwg cv‡k _vK‡j Avwg AvKvk Quy‡Z cvwi Zzwg cv‡k _vK‡j Avwg cvnvo fvO‡Z cvwi Zzwg cv‡k _vK‡j Avwg g„Zz¨‡K nZ¨v Ki‡Z cvwi| Avgvi ivR‡Z¡i Kx `iKvi hLb Zzwg cv‡k Av‡Qv!Ó[2]

Main idea of the poem: Here the poet (Upal Talukder) describes in the poem (Dambha) that if God is near to him, he has nothing to afraid. He see darkness in the forward, discolor desert, ruined ancient city. But he is not discouraged because God is with him. If God is with him he can touch the sky climb the mountain, even he can destroy the death by the help of God. Here it is clear that poet shows that God is sole source of power, he can do whatever he wishes. If my friends forsake me, God will give his companion he will stand beside me.

Similarities: I find more similarities between the poem (Dambha) and psalm 27. In the verses 2, 3a I have found the enemies, defeat and capturing which I have found in the lines of the poem that-

ÒAvgvi mvg‡b AÜKvi

†cQ‡b weeY© giæf~wg Avi

cÖZ¥ZvwË¡K weaŸ¯Í cÖvPxb bMi|Ó[3]

In verses 1, 3b say that God is my salvation and He is my helping hand. Psalmist said that he has no fear because he has kept faith in Him. These verses are much more similar to these lines-

Ò†m Rb¨ Avgvi †Kvb `y:L †bB

†Kb bv Zzwg Avgvi nvZ a‡i AvQ|Ó[4]

In verses 5, 6a, 9b Psalmist fined conformity to safety life in God where he gets victory over the enemies. In God he has hope and he trusts in Him. And these verses are more similar to these lines-

ÒZzwg cv‡k _vK‡j Avwg AvKvk Quy‡Z cvwi

Zzwg cv‡k _vK‡j Avwg cvnvo fvO‡Z cvwi

Zzwg cv‡k _vK‡j Avwg g„Zz¨‡K nZ¨v Ki‡Z cvwi|

hLb Zzwg cv‡k Av‡Qv!Ó[5]

There are some more things written in the psalm but the idea of the psalm and the poem is almost same. I have found dissimilarities.  

Psalm 13

Main idea of the psalm: Main theme of this psalm is urging God’s help in the time of difficulty. This psalm is written by   David, when he was hunted by Soul the king of Israelites that time David composed this psalm. According to verse 6 I can understand that it was used in the liturgy.[6]

Why I have chosen this psalm: We know God is with us but we face much more difficulties and fell in many problems. Is God not helping us? Everywhere we find chaos. We try but sometimes we are not successful. We pray to God, but not find the result and we become discouraged. The psalmist teaches me to keep constant and continuous prayer.

†Zvgvi Rb¨ c`vejx       Dcj ZvjyK`vi  Òey‡Ki †fZi GK eyK Z„ò  Rj wb‡q, mgy`ª, Zzwg †Kv_vq cvjv‡j?  G ‡Zvgvi †KgbZ‡iv jy‡KvPzwi †Ljv?       †Kvb AvKv‡k Zzwg nvIqv n‡q †M‡j?  GLv‡b AÜKvi nvZ‡o nvZ‡o                   Avwg K¬všÍ                   Avwg K¬všÍ

b`x gvZ„K evsjv‡`‡k G‡Zv cyKzi †Wvev LvbvL›` b`x nvIo evIo Avi wej †h cÖvqk:B Zviv Avgvi c_‡iva K‡i `vuovq, †h‡nZz †Zvgv‡iB KwiqvwQ Rxe‡bi aªæeZviv, Avgvi gbwR‡j gKmy` ZvB Zzwg, ïay Zzwg| mgy`ª, Zzwg †Kv_vq? †Kvb gnvKv‡k, †Kvb `ªvwNgvq?Ó[7]

Main idea of the poem: The poet (Upal Talukdar) seeking God as helpers as Salvatore. Here he mentioned the ocean or sea is God where every man drinks life from it. But where Ocean that people can drink, God is is always invisible. Here Upal Talukda seeking God, who can quench our thrust to get meet with God.

     

Similarities: Between the psalm 13 and the poem of Upal Talukdar ‘Tamar Jonne Podaboli’ many similarities where poet try to point something in the context of Bangladesh as a Muslim poet. And it was very early in the time of David who has composed this psalm 13.

Verse 1 is similar to the lines of the poem-

Òey‡Ki †fZi GK eyK Z„ò

Rj wb‡q, mgy`ª, Zzwg †Kv_vq cvjv‡j?

G ‡Zvgvi †KgbZ‡iv jy‡KvPzwi †Ljv?

†Kvb AvKv‡k Zzwg nvIqv n‡q †M‡j?Ó[8]

It is written all about God who has forgotten the poet and psalmist. They are complaining that God is hiding Himself and not remembering them in their difficulties. In the psalm, verses2, 3, 4 similar to these lines of the poem-

ÒGLv‡b AÜKvi nvZ‡o nvZ‡o

Avwg K¬všÍ

Avwg K¬všÍ

b`x gvZ„K evsjv‡`‡k G‡Zv cyKzi †Wvev LvbvL›`

b`x nvIo evIo Avi wej †h

cÖvqk:B Zviv Avgvi c_‡iva K‡i `vuovq,Ó[9]

There described the life struggle of human being. Psalmist complaining to God that how many times God will him His face, where people of God is persecuted, almost ruined, block the way of walking. Here they are asking help to God. In verse 5 tells all about dependence of the psalmist and the poet to God. Poet mentions this in these lines in the poem of ‘Tamar Jonne Podaboli.’

Ò†h‡nZz †Zvgv‡iB KwiqvwQ Rxe‡bi aªæeZviv,

Avgvi gbwR‡j gKmy` ZvB Zzwg, ïay Zzwg|Ó[10]

Psalm 91

Main Idea of the psalm: The psalmist with confidence and trust relates his conviction that those who take refuge in God will find the protection of God. This is mainly a psalm of trust in God. This is mainly focused. The psalm is regarded as dialogue between David and Solomon as Targum thinking. It is used in the liturgical fact against diseases and against the attack of evil spirit.[11]

Why I have chosen this psalm: I realize that it I trust in God in full heartedly, I never be demolish, never be defeated. He who keeps faith in God whatever he will ask he shall be given. So I thought, I should never, give up my trust from God. When God is with me o evil can harm me. Here written when I will call he will answer me and heavenly angels will guide me. I am very hope full and trust full to God and inspired by this psalm.

Bgvb diiæL Avng` ÒÔjv-Bjvnv Bjøvjøv Õ iwk¥ ey‡K hZÿY cvi‡e mn‡R Zzwg wc‡l †h‡Z Abvqv‡m mKj fxwZi AvµgY| wb®‹¤ú AvZ¥vi gZ Avjøv‡Z wek¦vm hvi cwic~Y© ZYyi gvSv‡i,

nq bv‡m bZ wki, nq bv †m Î¯Í ‡Kvb weåvšÍ kw³i An¼v‡i! cZœx Avi mšÍwZi †gvn †_‡K gy³ †mB Rb mshZ, †Lv`vi iv‡n cv‡i †m †Kvievbx w`‡Z cy·K Avcb| nq‡Zv †m msMxnxb, kw³gvb ZeyI †m c~Y© GK evwnbxi gZ,- g~j¨nxb Zvi Kv‡Q cÖk¦vm evqyi †P‡q wR‡›`Mvbx gy³ AbvnZ||Ó[12]

Main idea of the poem: In the poem of 'Imman' poet says that he who has earned the love of God (Allah) he can overcome all terrors and trials, who has trust in God in wholeheartedly he never be defeated or get bear in any false power. If he can be weak, he is power as big armies as the poet says. Even breath is less important it God's love is upon us. He can give up all the earthly things. Even he can forsake his wife and children.

Similarities: In the psalm 91 verses 1, 9, 10, 13, 15, I find similarities in the poem where it is written-

Ôjv-Bjvnv Bjøvjøv Õ iwk¥ ey‡K hZÿY

cvi‡e mn‡R Zzwg wc‡l †h‡Z Abvqv‡m mKj fxwZi AvµgY|Ó[13]

The psalmist and the poet keep over confidence to God. No evil shall be fall over them; no scorch will come near to their tent. They can trample lion and serpent under their fool. God is with them when they are in trouble. In verses 2, 3, 5-7, say about that he who believes in God he will not fall into the traps, over come from pinions. Same word also in different way presented in the poem of Pharruk Ahammed.

Òwb®‹¤ú AvZ¥vi gZ Avjøv‡Z wek¦vm hvi cwic~Y© ZYyi gvSv‡i,

nq bv‡m bZ wki, nq bv †m Î¯Í ‡Kvb weåvšÍ kw³i An¼v‡i!Ó[14]

In verses 15, 16 say that God will come in his help, when they are in danger or any trouble God will rescue and honor them. Here, breath is also less important to get heaven and salvation and eternal love from God. Pharruk Ahammed expresses same word in these ways-

Ònq‡Zv †m msMxnxb, kw³gvb ZeyI †m c~Y© GK evwnbxi gZ,-

g~j¨nxb Zvi Kv‡Q cÖk¦vm evqyi †P‡q wR‡›`Mvbx gy³ AbvnZ|Ó[15]

Conclusion: Comparison very important in study we can find many things out of our boundary. It is more interesting that before Christ birth these psalm were written even though we find ourselves in these psalms. Sometimes we think that it says our lives and its words never grow old. And it is much more interesting that same words said by many poets as psalmist said long before Christ coming. It is clear to me that God is not only for Israelites or Christian people, we all human being is created by God and God leads these people through many ways. Through poets and psalmist God speaks to the people.

Bibliography

1.      SYED, Abdul Mannan: Work of poet Farrukh Ahmad. Vol.I, Ahmad Publishing House, Jindabahar, Dhaka, 1979.

2.      TALUKDAER, Upal: Kabya Shamagra. Agamee Prakashani, 36 Banglabazar, Dhaka.2004.

3.      DATTA, D.  Dennis: Analytical Studies of Psalms in Hebrew Worship. Willis 7 Green Corner Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh, 1988.

4.      NRSV: Holy bible, Theological Publications, Bangalore, 2007.

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[1] Cf. Dennis, Dilip Datta: Analytical Studies of Psalms in Hebrew Worship. Willis 7 Green Corner Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh, 1988, p-34.

[2] Upal Talukder: Kabya Shamagra. Agamee Prakashani, 36 Banglabazar, Dhaka.2004, p.125.

[3] Ibid. p-125.

[4] Ibid. p-125.

[5] Upal Talukder: Kabya Shamagra. Agamee Prakashani,36 Banglabazar, Dhaka.2004,p.125.

[6] Cf. Dennis, D. Datta: Analytical Studies of Psalms in Hebrew Worship. Willis 7 Green Corner Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh, 1988, p-20.

[7] Upal Talukder: Kabya Shamagra. Agamee Prakashani,36 Banglabazar, Dhaka.2004,p.125.

[8] Upal Talukder: Kabya Shamagra. Agamee Prakashani,36 Banglabazar, Dhaka.2004,p.125.

[9] Ibid. p-125.

[10] Ibid. p-125.

[11] Cf. Dennis, D.  Datta: Analytical Studies of Psalms in Hebrew Worship. Willis 7 Green Corner Dhaka 1205 Bangladesh, 1988, p-88.

[12] Abdul Mannan Syed: Work of poet Farrukh Ahmad. Vol.I, Ahmad Publishing House, Jindabahar, Dhaka,1979, p-220.

[13] Abdul Mannan Syed: Work of poet Farrukh Ahmad. Vol. I, Ahmad Publishing House, Jindabahar, Dhaka, 1979, p. 220.

[14] Ibid. p-220.  

[15] Ibid. p-220.