Bobert, I do think your verse is more powerful than what I was thinking of, because you've given a face tot he abstract and dared to risk stepping on some toes, too.  As Jerry says, you could make the death penalty the focus of the song.  But your verse also brings to mind the song "God On Our Side."  This is not to say your song concept is derivative -- just that your song could well deal with this broader, powerful theme of the noble vs. ignoble uses of the concept of "God's will."   If you go that route, you could take on -- oh, what could it be?   I don't know... Let me see ...Could it be... "Operation Enduring Freedom?"  *G*

Good suggestions, Jerry R.  And thanks for the kind words.  I know what you mean about collaborating.  In my experience, it goes something like this:  I throw out a bunch of verses, lines, and suggestions for lyric or chord changes; then the primary songwriter says, quite sincerely,  "Thanks!  You've helped me a lot! and proceeds to write his/her own verses that show no visible trace of my suggestions.  This is fine, though; the brainstorming process can unleash the writer's own muse.  Maybe this thread will do that for you, Bobert, even if you don't "use" any of the specific lines we suggest.

Genie