It was a quiet evening in Joe’s living room. The air was filled with the steady beat of Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid in Full, a song that always made Joe think about the cost of ambition and the true price of history. Nelly sat cross-legged on the couch, scrolling through a playlist on her phone.
“You know,” she said, “this track is all about hustling, about making something out of nothing. It’s like the Masons’ philosophy—building a legacy that lasts.”
Joe nodded, his eyes on the TV. “Speaking of legacy, I’ve been thinking about Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan. Remember Private Jackson? The sniper who quotes Psalm 144?”
Nelly smiled. “‘Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.’ It’s like he’s living out the Psalms, using faith as his guide in the chaos of war.”
The Psalms in War
Joe grabbed the remote and queued up the movie. As the iconic opening scene played—the harrowing landing at Omaha Beach—both Nelly and Joe sat in silence, absorbing the raw intensity.
When Private Jackson appeared on screen, calmly taking aim amidst the chaos, Joe paused the movie.
“Look at him,” Joe said. “He’s not just a soldier. He’s a man of faith, relying on God to guide his actions. That’s the Masonic ideal in a way—discipline, purpose, and belief in something greater.”
Nelly pointed to the screen. “And the way he kisses his crucifix before taking a shot—it’s like Psalm 2: ‘Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way.’ He’s aligning himself with divine authority, even in the madness of war.”
Eric B. & Rakim: The Hustle of Legacy
As the movie continued, Paid in Full played softly in the background. Joe leaned back, letting the lyrics wash over him.
“Rakim talks about being paid in full,” Joe said. “But what if it’s not just about money? What if it’s about legacy, about making your mark on history? That’s what the Masons are trying to do. They’re building something that lasts, just like Jackson in the movie—living by the Psalms, creating a story that people will remember.”
Nelly nodded. “And the Psalms are like their blueprint. Psalm 144 isn’t just about war—it’s about preparation, about being ready for whatever comes your way. It’s the ultimate hustle.”
The Second World War and the Master Plan
As the movie reached its climax, with Captain Miller’s team defending the bridge, Joe paused it again.
“Think about this,” he said. “The Second World War was a turning point for humanity. The Masons see history as a series of battles—physical, spiritual, and ideological. Every war, every struggle, is part of their master plan to shape the world into something better.”
Nelly added, “And Psalm 144 isn’t just about fighting—it’s about trust. ‘My lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer.’ It’s about knowing you’re part of something bigger, even when everything seems lost.”
A New Understanding
As the credits rolled, Nelly and Joe sat in thoughtful silence.
“Private Jackson isn’t just a character,” Joe said finally. “He’s a symbol of what it means to live with purpose, to use your gifts—whether it’s faith, skill, or ambition—for something greater.”
Nelly smiled. “And Eric B. & Rakim? They’re like modern-day prophets, reminding us that the hustle isn’t just about survival. It’s about building a legacy, being ‘paid in full’ in every sense of the word.”
Joe raised his glass. “To the Psalms, to the hustle, and to the master plan.”
Nelly clinked her glass against his. “And to making history.”