Over the past year, I have been reacquainted with the Psalms. Through a combination of reading the Psalms in my One Year Bible reading plan and listening to some new modern arrangements of Psalms set to music, I have found these songs to more and more find their way into my personal and corporate prayers.
In particular, I have loved listening to Shane and Shane’s Psalm based albums, as well as Keith and Kristyn Getty’s “North Coast Sessions.” In each instance, the artists took a particular Psalm as an inspiration to arrange the content in modern vernacular and to contemporary music.
These artists have inspired me to begin writing some Psalm adaptations of my own. The first one I wrote is based on Psalm 57. I used the actual Psalm 57 as my prayer in yesterday’s service, but last month, I wrote (without the music) my own version of this Psalm. I am including it below in case it helps guide you to worship today!
In Your shadow, I will shelter
As the siren sounds around
In Your shadow, I will shelter
’Til the final trumpet sounds
My enemies are near
Angry words thrown like spears
Seek to pierce me to the wall
God most High, to you I call
In Your shadow, I will shelter
As the siren sounds around
In Your shadow, I will shelter
’Til the final trumpet sounds
My enemies make plans
Traps set to fell this man
Wake up now and praise His name
Salvation comes, I will proclaim
In Your shadow, I will shelter
As the siren sounds around
In Your shadow, I will shelter
’TIl the final trumpet sounds
Lord, Not what I did earn
‘Tis Your mercy I yearn
Look around and see your grace
Comfort, care, a friendly face
In Your shadow, I will shelter
As the siren sounds around
In Your shadow, I will shelter
’TIl the final trumpet sounds
My heart remains with You
To God alone be true
For the nations hear Your fame
Glory, glory praise Your name
In Your shadow, I will shelter
As the siren sounds around
In Your shadow I will shelter
’Til the final trumpet sounds
A few notes about the imagery of this song . . .
- Living in Oklahoma, we are used to “sirens” going off in the spring time, pushing us to our shelters – tornado shelters! In life, however, we have a more secure “safe place” . . . finding our protection in the shadow of our God.
- Old Testament David wrote this Psalm while in a cave hiding from King Saul. Saul literally tried to pin David to a wall with a spear, yet in Psalm 57, David references the words of Saul, even more than Saul’s spear. “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not a sentiment shared by David . . . or me.
- The mercy of God is demonstrated to David by the kindness of Jonathan (Saul’s son). His friendly face gave David hope and encouragement. So often God’s mercy is demonstrated to us through the kindness of others.
Let me know your thoughts!
Oh, Mark. You did a beautiful job of sharing God’s word. Thanks for sharing and thanks for all you do. In God’s love.
Thanks for the encouragement Sonya. Praise God!
I have been spending time in the Psalms too and love them set to music. I love how the psalmists desperately cried out I God, but also praised Him, never forgetting what He had done for them and how mighty He is. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Angie. So encouraging to know we can cry out honestly to our God in prayer.
Loved the analogy to sirens living in OK. On Sunday, l heard a new one, for lightning strikes near the soccer field where my grandson was playing. Later learned that it had struck a house and caused it to burn.
What a great reminder your Psalm is to seek shelter in the Only Safe Place.
Thanks Debbie! Praise God.
Thank you for this paraphrase ofPsalm 57. While I appreciated and understood your use of the word ‘siren’ in the chorus of your song, another definition of siren came to mind. “SIREN: (Classical Mythology) one of several sea nymphs, part woman and part bird, who lure mariners to destruction by their seductive singing.”
The sirens of the world, the flesh, and the devil constantly call us to depart from our faithfulness to God and away from his sheltering protection. Your chorus is an encouraging reminder of our need for total dependence on God for all good in our lives (and for eternity).
Thanks for this Bill! It is great to hear from you!!