David Sinking in the Floodwaters Cries to God

Prompt

Psalm 69, as David's own cry of distress: "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in to my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me... Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink." The grey-bearded King David, his indigo robe soaked and heavy, stands chest-deep in the swirling brown floodwater of a swollen desert wadi, one hand gripping a root on the rocky bank and his face lifted to the sky in a desperate cry for help. He is large and central. Around him the flood churns past the canyon walls, and above, the storm clouds are parting to let a bright shaft of sunlight fall on him. Open wilderness only: no cross, no other figures. Style: a blend of photo-realism and cinema, like a still from a big-budget film. Bright, rich, saturated, luminous colour, clear daylight or glowing golden light even in dramatic scenes, never murky or muddy, crisp detail, real human faces full of emotion, shallow depth of field, subtle film grain. Simple, uncluttered composition: ONE clear scene from this chapter, with the chapter's main character or characters large, close and central in the upper and middle frame, and a simple background. No montage, no collage, no inset vignettes, no crowd of small figures competing for attention. Historically accurate ancient Near Eastern clothing, architecture and landscape. Keep the bottom quarter of the frame simple and uncluttered (ground, water or sky) so a large chapter number can be set over it. Absolutely no text, no letters, no words, no numbers, no logos, no watermark, no border, no frame.