Tag / refuge

by jdansmall

Psalm 143

Psalm 143Hear my pleas for mercy, Lord
You always do what’s right
Please don’t condemn or judge me now
None’s righteous in Your sight.

My spirit faints, my heart distressed
Pursued by foes, I fled
Left all alone in darkness, Lord
Like those who are long dead.

Then I remember days of old
Great works You did at first
I stretch my hands to You in prayer
My soul for You doth thirst.

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me
Depression takes control
Don’t hide Your face or I will die
I lift to You my soul.

May morning bring Your steadfast love
I trust You, help me learn
Show me the pathway I should take
‘Tis You to whom I turn.

Rescue me from these enemies
I run to You to hide
Teach me to do Your will, my God
Straight paths Your Spirit guide.

For Your name’s sake, preserve my life
Free me from this distress
Silence, destroy my enemies
In love, Your servant bless

© J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 142

faint spiritTo You, O Lord, I lift my voice
I plead for mercy, too
I’ll pour out my complaints and fears
For no one cares but You.

My spirit faints, is overwhelmed
You know each step I take
My foes oppress, set traps for me
All who should care forsake.

And so I cry to You, O Lord
My place of refuge dear
When I am down and feeling low
I cry to You, “Draw near!”

Deliver from these enemies
They are too strong for me
Then I’ll give thanks ‘midst godly crowds
For You’ve dealt bountif’lly!

© J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 141

0422x-Sunrise-Hands-Lifted-High-Praise-700879_77376177I lift my hands, a sacrifice
My prayer, as incense sweet
Please hear me when I cry to You
Make haste my needs to meet.

Please guard my tongue, watch o’er my lips
From evil keep my heart
Let me not eat sin’s tempting fruit
But from their ways depart.

When with the rod the righteous strike
‘Tis kindness to my soul
I’ll not refuse their stern rebuke
For it can make me whole.

But ‘gainst the wicked I will pray
‘Till o’er the cliff they’re cast
My fitting words they’ll know were true
Their bones at Sheol amassed.

I look to You for help, O Lord
My refuge from the foe
Don’t let me fall in traps they set
Let them be caught there, though.

© J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 52

AhimelechBackstory: 1 Samuel 22 (Saul is seeking to kill David)
Saul Slays the Priests of Nob after Doeg reveals their support of David as recorded here:
…8″For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day.” 9Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing by the servants of Saul, said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10″He inquired of the LORD for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”…

Why do you boast of evil plots
You worker of deceit?
You have no clue that God above
Extends His steadfast love.

Your sharpened tongue seeks to destroy
Loves evil more than good
Devouring people day and night
Not speaking what is right.

But God will strike you down for good
He’ll tear you from your tent
Uproot you from your earthly home
No longer free to roam.

The righteous will observe and laugh
And this is what they’ll say,
“The man who will not trust in God
Relies on a façade.

“He trusted in his own great wealth
And on his evil plots
He would not call on God to save
His hopes lie in the grave.”

But I am like an olive tree
Within the house of God
His steadfast love fore’er I trust
That’s how I stay robust.

Forever I will thank you, God
For what You’ve done for me
And to the saints I will proclaim
My hope in Your good Name.

© 2014 J Dan Small