Psalm 63:1 and this ever-present truth about storms

Psalm 63:1 and “this ever-present truth regarding storms”:

This morning as I reflect upon the Verse of the Day, I also think about Hurricane Matthew, the life-threatening storm that is approaching.

The Verse of the Day for October 7, 2016 is taken from Psalm 63:1 in the Message Bible:

[A David Psalm, When He Was out in the Judean Wilderness] God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.

The reference to “hunger and thirst for God” brings to mind this original psalm:

Hunger and Thirst

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst

after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6

 

All those who hunger and thirst after righteousness

Shall no longer need food but shall indeed be filled.

They shall know firsthand the Father’s desire to bless:

In His presence deepest desires are fulfilled.

We learn to yearn after God and to put Him first;

He alone feeds this hollow and aching absence,

To satisfy our hunger and to quench our thirst.

Food and water appease but for a season, hence

We partake each day of first fruits of our labor.

To serve food and drink is to glimpse eternity,

A foretaste of the place where we all shall savor

Forever the pure pleasure of God’s company.

So we prepare to feast once more upon God’s Word,

As we strengthen our souls and wait upon the Lord.

Another song inspired by the David’s cry to Yahweh in Psalm 63 is written by Deanne Shallenberger and Michelle Glenn, performed by Deanne:

Not only is Psalm 63 the inspiration, in part, for that song that I composed, but it is also the basis for “My Soul Follows Hard after Thee” performed as a medley with “I’m Gonna Love You,” two classic praise and worship compositions of Don Moen of Hosanna! Music.

In addition, our thoughts and prayers extend toward the residents of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina as Hurricane Matthew, a “life-threatening storm”, barrels up the East Coast. The Category 4 hurricane is said to be the first major hurricane to hit the US since 2005. In thinking about this devastating storm, we recall the statements related to the life cycle of life, whereby, as believers, we are either in the midst of a storm or coming out of a storm and preparing to go through another storm.  We are reminded of

This Ever-present Truth

For He commands and raises the stormy wind,

which lifts up the waves of the sea.

They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths;

Their soul melts because of trouble.

He calms the storm, so that its waves are still.

Then they are glad because they are quiet;

so He guides them to their desired haven.

Psalm 107:25-26, 29-30

 

As we navigate through the stages of our lives,

Mild breezes that caress our days are soon transformed

Into wild gales and floods, as one more storm arrives.

Despite this ever-present truth, we are alarmed

And unprepared for life’s torrential winds and rain,

As the raging storm center races toward our shore,

Gathering force and mounting into a hurricane.

We find ourselves near the eye of the storm once more.

The whirlwind soon passes over and leaves behind

Rising flood waters that would overwhelm the soul,

But through prayer and strong faith we know that we shall find

Courage to endure, though each storm exacts its toll.

God prepares us to go through howling gusts and rain,

With strength between storms, ready to go through again.

We are comforted and strengthened by the song “Peace in the Midst of the Storm” offered by Alvin Slaughter and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

A medley of songs from Psalm 63

The Verse of the Day for October 7, 2015 is found in Psalm 63:1 in the New Living Translation which provides the backdrop of one of the heart songs of David, as he desperately yearns for the presence of the living God:

[Psalm 63] [A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.] O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

Originally set to music, this magnificent psalm has likewise been the inspiration for many musical compositions, five of which are displayed below, beginning with lyrics to an original song written 16 years ago:

O Lord, You Are My God

(From Psalm 63)

O Lord, you are my God,

Early in the morning will I seek you,

Before the rising of the sun.

You are the God of all creation,

Faithful and true, the Holy One.

My soul thirsts for you alone,

My flesh longs for you.

In a dry and thirsty land,

Only you can satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.

My soul follows hard after you.

Your righteous right hand always upholds me.

I long to follow your command.

My soul thirsts for you alone,

My flesh longs for you.

In a dry and thirsty land,

Only you can satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.

Only you can satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.

Another great song inspired by the David’s cry to Yahweh in Psalm 63 is written by Deanne Shallenberger and Michelle Glenn, performed by Deanne:

Not only is Psalm 63 the inspiration for these two songs, it is also the basis for “My Soul Follows Hard after Thee,” performed as a medley with “I’m Gonna Love You,” two classic praise and worship compositions of Don Moen of Hosanna! Music.

Psalm 63:1-4 is also the basis for this scripture memory song:

To close out this medley, here is Psalm 63:1-5 “I Will Bless You While I Live” (Christian Worship Song) by Esther Mui and Patrick Leong.

The Verse for the Day is taken from Psalm 63, the inspiration for the lyrics of a magnificent medley of songs based on that magnificent Psalm of David.

Psalm 63: A series of songs inspired by the psalm

The Verse of the Day for October 7, 2014 is found in Psalm 63:1 in the King James Version:

Fifteen years ago I was inspired to compose lyrics that I later compiled in a collection of songs, many of which were based on various passages from the Bible. Most providentially, one of the first of such songs was inspired by Psalm 63. Here is an original song based on that psalm:

O Lord, You Are My God

(from Psalm 63)

O Lord, you are my God,

Early in the morning will I seek you,

Before the rising of the sun.

You are the God of all creation,

Faithful and true, the Holy One.

 

My soul thirsts for you alone,

My flesh longs for you.

In a dry and thirsty land,

Only you can satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.

 

My soul follows hard after you.

Your righteous right hand always upholds me.

I long to follow your command.

 

My soul thirsts for you alone,

My flesh longs for you.

In a dry and thirsty land,

Only you can satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.

Only you can satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.

Another song inspired by the David’s cry to Yahweh in Psalm 63 is written by Deanne Shallenberger and Michelle Glenn, performed by Deanne:

Not only is Psalm 63 the inspiration for these two songs, it is also the basis for “My Soul Follows Hard after Thee,” performed as a medley with “I’m Gonna Love You,” two classic praise and worship compositions of Don Moen of Hosanna! Music.

The Verse for the Day is taken from Psalm 63, the inspiration for the lyrics of three songs based on that magnificent Psalm of David.

Psalm 63: Two songs inspired by the psalm

Early this morning, October 7, 2013, I just happened to start my day looking at the lyrics to some of the songs that composed fourteen years ago when I was first inspired to compile a collection of songs, many of which were based on various passages from the Bible. One of the first of such songs was inspired by Psalm 63. Most providentially, the Verse of the Day for October 7, 2013 is Psalm 63:1 in the King James Version:

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Here is the song based on that psalm:

O Lord, You Are My God

(from Psalm 63)

 

O Lord, you are my God,

Early in the morning will I seek you,

Before the rising of the sun.

You are the God of all creation,

Faithful and true, the Holy One.

 

My soul thirsts for you alone,

My flesh longs for you.

In a dry and thirsty land,

Only you can satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.

 

My soul follows hard after you.

Your righteous right hand always upholds me.

I long to follow your command.

 

My soul thirsts for you alone,

My flesh longs for you.

In a dry and thirsty land,

Only you can satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.

Only you can satisfy the deepest longing of my soul.

 

Not only is Psalm 63 the inspiration for that song that I composed, it is also the basis for “My Soul Follows Hard after Thee” performed as a medley with “I’m Gonna Love You,” two classic praise and worship compositions of Don Moen of Hosanna! Music.

I begin this beautiful day, a magnificent Monday, by reading Psalm 63 and reading lyrics based on that passage and listening to another song inspired by this Psalm of David.