Delilah’s Song
I’ve been studying, meditating, and writing a lot about Judges 16 lately. It’s the story of Samson, a judge/deliverer/champion of Israel, who, like so many, loses his sense of mission because of his libido. All because of Delilah. The temptress. The wanton woman. The one motivated by greed. A stranger to love and honesty.
I’ve been studying, meditating, and writing a lot about Judges 16 lately. It’s the story of Samson, a judge/deliverer/champion of Israel, who, like so many, loses his sense of mission because of his libido. All because of Delilah. The temptress. The wanton woman. The one motivated by greed. A stranger to love and honesty.
The more I hang out with Delilah and Samson, though, the more I see myself in her. Seeing a powerful man who’s vulnerable to her, calculating how I can use my words and my charms to get my way. Not so much because I want to put an end to my nation’s enemy, but because I want to 1) be right, 2) hide my own insecurity, 3) satisfy a warped sense of self-esteem, or especially, 4) make sure I’m in control so that I never experience pain from a man again.
I can’t demonize Delilah anymore, because only the grace of God and the guidance and counsel of His word and His Holy Spirit keep me from reverting to Eve-like selfish influence (that is, when I listen to the Holy Spirit).
I wrote a song for Delilah – and for all of us who share her hurt, and tend towards her coping mechanism; manipulation. I’d like to share it with you:
Delilah’s Song by Sharifa Stevens
“I’ll never let go of you” he said
sincerely spoken between kisses
the truth as my heart reminisces
lies and love can be so close
I gave all I should and some I shouldn’t
Knowing that happily ever after
Joys and secrets, whispers, laughter
Would be mine for all time
But his love was not enough
To cover me
And the cold is seeping in
My heart is breaking
His love was not enough
To keep me safe and now I understand
no
one
can.
“I’ll never get hurt again” I swore
caress their egos, bide my time
fill them up with lust’s sweet wine
till they’re begging for more
What they don’t know is
I find pleasure
In defiling what they treasure
The first man stole my soul
There’s nothing left to control
Because his love was not enough
To cover me
And the cold has set in deep
My heart is frozen
His love was not enough
To keep me safe and now I understand
no
one
can.
So can’t you see
By the time he came to me
To rest his head upon my knees
I knew what I should do
Stroke his hair and whisper lies
Lay his head upon my thighs
Get that money, that’s the prize
Break one more man that I despise
Dignity gone but a little richer
Too blind to see the bigger picture
The reality that’s hurting me
When I cut them I feel pain
The hole in my heart keeps getting bigger
There’s more than just this killer figure
Someone told me life can be better
living for Christ is where you truly gain
They said His love is enough
To cover you
With the clothes of dignity
And love that’s pure
His love is enough
To cover you like
No
Man
Can
They said His love is enough
To cover you
See your worth was lost
But oh, he found it
His love is enough
To come for you and
No one can…
Take you from His hand.
Sharifa Stevens
Sharifa Stevens is a Manhattan-born, Bronx-raised child of the King, born to Jamaican immigrants, and currently living in Dallas. Sharifa's been singing since she was born. Her passion is to serve God's kingdom by leading His people in worship through music, speaking and writing, and relationships with people. Her heart is also unity, inspired by John. Sharifa hates exercise but likes Chipotle, bagels with a schmeer and lox, salmon sushi, chicken tikka, curried goat (yeah, it's good) with rice and peas, and chocolate lava cakes. She's been happily married to Jonathan since 2006...and he buys her Chipotle.
10 Comments
Sue Bohlin
Whoa Sharifa!!!
This is an absolutely amazing song, and I love it love it love it!!! Is there music to it? How many of us teach on women of the Bible, and would be so grateful to play this song as a powerful illustration of the heart of a broken woman?
If you record it, I’ll upload it! :::big hopeful smile:::
Sharifa Stevens
Thank You…
…for the enthusiastic encouragement, Sue!
I am hoping to record it soon.AHHH! God’s grace and provision abounds. I just need faith and willingness to step out.
Your encouragement is like apples of gold in settings of silver. :o)
Auntie Shirley
Killing me softly with your
Killing me softly with your song. Such pain, sorrow, transformation and redemption you have penned. This pain is not just of woman although I understand that is your focus but what you captured is a human condition. We are so blind until we see. Is it not so?
Joy come in the morning. Alleluia!!! I love you Sha. May you continue to inspire others as you are inspired by the word of God.
Sharifa Stevens
Auntie Shirley
LOVE the Roberta Flack/Lauryn Hill reference! You are so cool, Auntie Shirley.
And you’re right, this kind of blindness and manipulation of people and circumstances is definitely no respecter of persons (or genders) , but is a consequence of sin’s entrance into the world: incidentally, through a serpent’s, then a woman’s influence. Boy, is that hard to swallow! But then again, I think it just goes to show the potent power of a woman’s influence, for good or evil.
Auntie Shirley
The hand that rocks the
The hand that rocks the cradle…:o)
Sorry Sha but I’m so cliche filled.:o)
Lauri
Uh. Huh.
Keep those songs comin’, Sharifa! Each one is better than the last and there is no limit to what God will give you. Sure am glad to have your translation of the Word in my life.
Sharifa Stevens
Aw, thanks, Lauri. I’m
Aw, thanks, Lauri. I’m psyched by your encouragement about "translation!"
Nikkol
Thank you
Thanks Sharifa. That was beautiful and encouraging.
Sharifa Stevens
Praise God, and thank you
Praise God, and thank you for taking the time to write a "thank-you." You have no idea how encouraging that is!
Ginger Garrett
Enjoy your blog!
I am new to your blog and really enjoying it!