Darius the Mede, the new King of Babylon
succeeded Belshazzar in the Persian Kingdom.
He decided it was time to reorganise
employ new governors his realm to supervise;
One hundred and twenty men he chose
and three vice-regents he proposed,
to keep an account and take charge
of state affairs in the kingdom so large.
Daniel of Judah was one of the three
and he should be president was the kings decree,
because of his spirit of excellence
and of his undoubted intelligence.
But the governors and vice-regents
were jealous of him, their evil intent
was to destroy his good reputation,
lacking evidence for character assassination
they resorted instead to religious persuasion
and conspired to use the Kings legislation.
So to Darius the King they said "Live for ever,
we the governors and regents consulted together,
to establish a new Royal Statute,
a firm decree that no man can refute.
by the Kings decree any man who prays
at any time over the next thirty days
to any god or to mortal men
should be thrown into the lions den."
So King Darius signed the new decree
their devious plans he failed to see,
that only to him must every man pray,
a stumbling block put in Daniel’s way.
But Daniel, being faithful, knelt in his room
three times each day, morn, night and noon,
his windows wide open, to God he gave thanks
praying and praising without fear of cranks.
His enemy’s heard him, praying out loud
to his God, by decree, no longer allowed.
Off to King Darius these devious men scurried
so anxious to tell him this news, they hurried.
They reminded him of the decree he had signed
now Daniel has disobeyed your rule they whined.
King Darius felt in his heart such dismay
knowing the price that Daniel must pay,
for the laws of the kingdom are written in stone
even though the decree was one of his own.
Therefore the King was forced to command
that Daniel must suffer a severe reprimand
and into the den of the lions be cast
where his enemy’s hoped he’d be devoured fast.
King Darius spoke to Daniel thence:
"the God you serve will deliver you hence."
The mouth of the den was closed with a stone
and with the seal of Darius, so it was known
that Daniel must be left to his fate.
The King went home, his distress was great,
he could not sleep and he fasted all night,
worrying over Daniel’s plight.
At daybreak he went to the den in haste
calling out to Daniel "are you safe?"
Daniel replied "O King live for ever,
to my God I am faithful and He leaves me never,
He sent down an angel to protect me
who closed the lions mouths, so they let me be.
I am innocent before God and would never harm you."
When the King heard his words he was happy too,
he ordered that Daniel be pulled out of the den,
not one scratch could be found upon him. - Then
King Darius commanded that the devious men
with their wives and children be cast into the den.
The lions their good fortune could not believe
and for the wicked men there was no reprieve.
King Darius wrote a new decree
to which men of all nations were urged to agree,
that Daniel’s God should be worshipped and feared,
a living and steadfast God must be revered,
for His Kingdom shall never be destroyed,
of His power and dominion other gods are devoid.
For His signs and wonders, hold Him in Awe
and for Daniel’s deliverance from the lions jaw.

Jackie S Brooks ©
11 August 2003