Samoan Psalms

Samoan Psalms:

One of our community nights in Samoa we spent in small groups reflecting on our time in Samoa up until that point and writing “Samoan Psalms.” Here they are.

Lance, Alex and Marcel

Based on Psalm 119

Blessed are those whose way

Is upright. Who walk in the law of the Lord.

Blessed are those who serve the family

For they will be the Matai.

Blessed are those who live off the land

And take only what they need.

Blessed are those who honor God

Who seek him every day

Blessed are those who pass the fire

For they will enjoy kinship

Blessed are those who sleep in the fale

For the will see and be seen

Blessed are those who walk in tradition

With, their people, and their land.

Gellie, Kelsey and Jess

To the tune of “All I want is You” from the Juno soundtrack

If you were a talking chief, I’d be a Matai

If you’re Fa’amolemole then I’m Fa’afetai

If you were tanoa, I’d be the Kava

And don’t laugh too hard if I lose my lavalava

(Course)

All I want is breadfruit and taro on my plate

You stay we’ll eat at 7 but you really mean 8

All I want it popo from the coconut tree

Or to go for a snorkel in the salty blue sea.

If you make a tapa, I’ll weave a mat

If you start a tattoo then you better finish that

If you were tofa, I’d be malo

Oh Sweet Samoa we never wanna go!

Jody, Alyssa and Courtnay

Job 38

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand who marked off it’s dimensions, surely you know. Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were it’s footings set, or who laid its cornerstone, while all the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

Where you there when the Samoan Islands were formed? Do you know the birth place of the molten rock that formed the place you stand. Do you know how vegetation came to cover this once barren land? Surely you know, you are so wise. Can you appreciate the power of a volcanic eruption? Can you race the lava to the sea? Can you protect your mighty fortress from a wall of raging water. With your power this world be no problem. Can you comprehend the mysteries of the Samoan rainforest? Do you know how to classify the flying fox? Do you understand how they carry their young? Surely your scientific studies reveal these answers.

Can you grasp the medicinal properties of the plants I have given you? Surely you can find cures. Could you create a tree with more uses than the coconut? Tell me if you can engineer plants as wonderful as these? Could you paint the colors of the sea? Can you measure the depth? Can your imagination conceive the multitude & diversity of life below the surface? Can the partnership between the clownfish and the anemone be ordained by you? The work of your artists are far superior to that of my handiwork. Could you position the Southern Cross so perfectly for navigation?

Sarah, Sandy, Morgan and Allie

Samoan Psalm 23

The Lord is the high chief of my family

I will always have a place

He shows me the road through the plantation

He leads me beside blue ocean waters

He restores my soul

He teaches me the fa’asamoa, so that his Matai’s title

May be respected

Even though I become afraid that I cannot afford

A necessity, I know that I will be taken care

Of because I am part of this family

His word & his kava root comfort me.

He presents fine mats on my behalf, in the present of my enemies.

He gives me a seat of his fale.

My kava cup overflows.

Manuia & alofa will follow me all the days of my life

And I and my family will dwell in the fale of my High Chief forever.

Scott, Caleb and Abe’s Psalm got lost...