Hannah (1Samuel 1:1 – 2:11)
By: Quina Parchment
The LORD had closed her womb,
He closed her womb
He did not keep Hannah from
unfulfilled desire
distress and hurt
He closed her womb.
He ordained her pain
on her way to worship
on her way to worship
Every year
was the same:
longing, no child
watching, no mercy from her rival
How could she eat?
She wept bitterly
How can You withhold
from me
my good desire
my good desire…
Her husband loved her
couldn’t understand,
wasn’t he enough?
wasn’t he enough?
worth more than ten sons?
All your food and wine
won’t fulfill me.
She arose
Come.
She arose
I have no portion in this life
apart from You
I have no need to hide
my deep distress
I come.
She vowed a vow and said,
Look on my affliction
LORD of hosts
Remember me,
I am Your servant
Don’t forget me
I am Your servant
If You’d grant me a son
for I am Your servant
I will give Him to You
he will be Your servant
Take,
take
this desire that runs strong
in my veins
this desire
that hurts
good desire
unfulfilled
this pain
Take,
take my longing
and give it if You will
and I will give it back
in worship
for my desire is Yours
this too is for You
She wouldn’t leave her Master’s presence
Oh Hannah
silent sister
Eli saw you
but you saw only your God
you saw only your God
My heart speaks
but no sound
comes from my mouth
My lips move
but no sound
comes from my mouth
My tears will worship
You will interpret groans
Eli took her as drunk
but she honestly confessed
her condition was much
more overwhelming
My spirit is distressed
I will honestly say
where I am today
Why should a plastic mask conceal
my troubled soul
my troubled soul
I have been pouring out my soul
before the LORD
So here I am,
with great anxiety
and vexation
pouring out my soul
before the LORD
Oh Hannah,
silent sister
broken
open
pouring out your soul
Go in peace
May the God of Israel grant what you seek
May the God of Israel grant what you seek
I am also your servant,
servant of God,
May I find favor in your eyes
favor
though man consider me despised
I will arise
when you strengthen me
to stand and eat
for Your joy fulfills me
You are my portion
with nothing yet from Your hand
I will rejoice
I will arise
and worship
Early, I will worship
before You
She returned
And her husband knew her
God remembered her
Elkanah loved her
God did not forget her
I ordained
that you would be grieved
that you would want a good thing
want a good thing
And I would
more increasingly be
your everything
your every good thing
And I would be
your portion
your very good thing
And you would
run to me
your joy
your fulfillment
And you would not be
deceived to believe
your hope was in a gift
for your hope is in Me
I ordained
that you would worshipfully mourn
and petition and see
I hear your prayers
and I am moved
in My sovereignty
I am moved
and I remember you
my servant,
my servant
I am your good thing
She kept her vow
and her faith was proved genuine
she nursed her child
and gave him
back to the LORD
He is the greatest good
my joy
and my son, my Samuel,
will be His servant
I have been heard by God
and I am satisfied
I am known by God
and I am satisfied
Samuel
so young
he was the LORD’s
Hannah’s gift had come
and he was the LORD’s
No silence this time
she came
with a bull, flour, wine
her Samuel she gave
and the temple was filled with
loud praise
Eli worshipped
Hannah prayed
I must not
Withhold this thanks
I can’t
for what you’ve given me
has shown me
who You are
You’ve fulfilled me
I overflow with joy
not in the gift
but in Your salvation
yes,
Your holiness
perfect wisdom
sovereignty
omniscience
Your compassion
how You care for the lowly
You know me
Oh, You know me!
I exalt in Your strength
I worship You only!
The LORD had closed her womb
silenced her voice
opened her heart
and her hand
He was her portion
Oh Hannah,
silent sister
how you were heard
and remembered
by your Lord.
