At what point did manly men surrender the art of poetry to tofu-eaters? Sure, there are exceptions of respectable men writing and reading poetry. For the most part, though, poetry is thought of as something for the artsy-fartsy, effeminate, badminton players. Manly men drive trucks, eat steak, play football, use power-tools, and kill their own venison. They don’t read poetry. Seriously, can you picture Rodney Harrison penning a quick sonnet during half-time? Or Jim from According to Jim? Or Tim the “Tool Man” Taylor?
This apparent disconnect between manliness and poetry has not always existed. Consider David, for instance. Here’s a guy who attacks lions, bears, and giants with sticks and stones. His future father-in-law who just threw a javelin at him asks for 100 Philistine foreskins as a dowry. So what’s David do—he brings him 200. No question—this guy is a manly man. If we’re picking teams in gym class, David goes first every time. But check out what David wrote in his down time (Ps. 29):
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned bas king forever.
11 May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless1 his people with peace!
Not bad for a manly man.
