“The Den of Trust: A Song of Daniel’s Faith” is a free verse narrative poem retelling Daniel 6, where Daniel, steadfast in prayer to God in Babylon, defies a royal decree. Betrayed by envious foes, he’s cast into a lions’ den, yet his trust shines unshaken. God’s light, reflected through Christ, silences the lions, delivering Daniel unharmed by dawn, to King Darius’ awe. The poem speaks to every soul facing fear, proclaiming that from Babylon to now, Jesus, the Truth, holds fast as refuge for all, His steadfast love guiding through trials, echoing Psalm 121:2’s assurance of divine help.

In Babylon’s shadow, where power carved its throne,
Daniel knelt, his heart a quiet flame,
Whispering prayers to the God of heaven’s dome.
Three times each day, his window framed the sky,
Not to kings, nor gold, nor fleeting decrees,
But to the One who holds the stars in place.

The court buzzed with envy, sharp as desert thorns—
Men with eyes like vipers, weaving nets of lies.
They watched him pray, their whispers coiled to strike:
“Sign here, O King Darius, a law unbreakable,
Let no man seek a god save you alone,
Or face the jaws where lions tear the bone.”

Darius, swayed by flattery’s soft chains,
Sealed the edict, unaware of its aim.
Yet Daniel’s knees still bent, his lips still moved,
His faith a river, steady through the flood.
No fear of stone, no dread of sharpened teeth—
His trust was fixed where mortal laws don’t reach.

They dragged him to the king, their triumph cold.
“Daniel defies your word, O mighty lord!”
Darius’ heart grew heavy, torn by grief,
But law was law—his hands could not undo.
The sun sank low, and soldiers led the way,
To where the den’s dark mouth in silence lay.

They rolled the stone; it sealed him in with night.
Below, the lions stirred, their hunger raw,
Eyes glinting gold, their breath a rumbling storm.
Yet Daniel stood, his face serene as dawn,
And raised his gaze to Christ’s eternal light,
Where angels wing through heaven’s boundless height.

No roar disturbed the stillness of that hour.
No claw drew blood, no fang pierced faithful flesh.
The Lord had sent His messenger unseen,
To bind the jaws that death had opened wide.
Each lion lay as if in gentle sleep,
Their hunger stilled by heaven’s quiet keep.

Through endless night, Daniel abode in peace,
His heart a psalm, his breath a steady song:
“God’s light is near, though stone entombs my frame;
My trust in Him shall never know a shame.”
Above, the king tossed sleepless, bound by dread,
Counting stars till morning’s hope was spread.

At dawn, Darius ran, his voice a cry:
“O Daniel, servant of the living God,
Has He delivered you where lions trod?”
The stone was rolled, and there—unharmed, alive—
Daniel arose, his eyes like steadfast flame,
Proclaiming God whose power knows no chain.

The king rejoiced, his heart set free from fear,
And called for Daniel’s foes to face their end.
But greater still, a decree went forth anew:
“Let all the earth revere the God most true,
Who saves His own through trials fierce and deep,
And turns the roar of death to silent sleep.”

For every soul that faces fear’s dark den,
When mortal strength is frail and shadows fall,
From Babylon to now, the Truth holds fast:
Jesus, our Christ, is refuge for us all.
No storm can break the peace His mercy casts,
His steadfast love shall guide through every call.

The sonnet reflects on the divine help and protection described in Psalm 121:2, portraying God as the Creator of heaven and earth who offers unwavering support. It expresses trust in God’s power to sustain the speaker through challenges, with imagery of nature—mountains, stars, and oceans—emphasizing His sovereignty. The poem highlights themes of faith, hope, and resilience, affirming that no fear or foe can overcome the speaker because of God’s eternal care and strength.

From whence doth come mine aid in darkest hour?
The Lord, who wrought the heavens and the earth,
Hath set my soul beneath His boundless pow’r,
And granted me a hope of sacred birth.
No storm can shake the ground where He doth stand,
Nor stars above elude His tender care;
The mountains bow before His mighty hand,
And oceans sing His glory ev’rywhere.
When shadows fall and foes my heart assail,
His watchful eye doth guard me through the night.
No fear shall triumph, nor my courage fail,
For He sustains me with eternal light.
O Maker, Thou my refuge e’er shalt be,
My help, my strength, my endless victory.