Psalm 25:1-9

Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance

Of David.

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. 3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my son, Andrew!

This psalm brings back memories for me. This psalm was put to music many times, and one of those versions was a praise song that we sang when we introduced the praise service at that congregation.

We had a meeting to plan for starting that service. I invited anyone interested in helping start up a new praise service to come join us for a get together, bring their instruments and see where can go from there.

That first Sunday night, we gathered in the sanctuary. My wife on piano, me with my guitar, our council president with her guitar. We are the ones I knew would be there. Four others came – June, who was in her early 80s arrived with her autoharp in hand. Then there were the three teenaged boys who brought their own speakers and drumset. It took them a good 20 minutes to unpack and set up.

What a group we had. We all shared a couple songs. June had some lovely spiritual offerings. Lisa and I had some camp songs and songs from our folk group days. And the boys had some songs that had the stained glass rattling!

I looked at June. I looked at the boys. I thought – maybe something in between is what we need.

To you, O Lord I lift up my soul.

In you, I trust, O Lord.

Higher than the mountains, deeper than the sea,

Wider than the ocean is your love for me.

You’re with me on the mountains and the valleys below.

You are right beside me everywhere that I go!

It took a while for us to figure it out. June and the boys found that the middle isn’t where they wanted to be. Over the following months and years, we grew in number and the service found its place.

Psalm 25 was a standard for many years, and probably will show up on a rare occasion. New songs and offerings are lifted up. Old ones are put away. And that is okay. Its been a long time since I sang that Psalm 25 version that was a standard for many years. Reading the psalm for today brought back these memories.

I am thankful for the gift of music. I am thankful for songs that put God’s word on my lips and in my heart. I am thankful for those who offer their gifts, be it on the autoharp in a soft melody, or rockin’ it out for all to hear with speakers taller than me!

What song brings back memories for you? How has a song brought God’s word to you?

Let us pray: To you, O Lord I lift up my soul. In you, I trust, O Lord. Higher than the mountains, deeper than the sea, wider than the ocean is your love for me. You’re with me on the mountains and the valleys below. You are right beside me everywhere that I go! For this we give you our thanks and praise! Thank you for the gift of music. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.