Tag: transformed mind

“Oh, that I had wings like a dove, . . . As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me” Flying to the the Refuge of Psalm 55.

It’s proven, vibration of strings . . . moves waters.

The waters of our being must be stirred up with a good theme. The Psalms offer songs that often speak our unspoken thoughts.

I offer a place of refuge today.

Psalm 55, Trust in God Concerning the Treachery of Friends.

Originally, this psalm was intended to be played on a stringed instrument. Today will you join me to use your vocal chords and pray aloud this Contemplation of David written to the Chief Musician:

“Give ear to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,

Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.

My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me.

So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness.

Selah (Pause and think quietly about this), the Amplified Bible reminds us.

“I would hasten my escape From the windy storm and tempest.”

“Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.

Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.

For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.

But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together And walked to the house of God in the throng . . .

As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me.

For there were many against me. God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Because they do not change, Therefore they do not fear God.

He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant. the words of his mouth were smoother than butter. But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out have their days; But I will trust in You.

Psalm 55. Pause and think quietly about this.

God is on the throne. He knows each of our stories.

Time is slowed. Emotions stirred. Pain and restlessness fill each residence in this world.

Speak aloud psalms and hymns? Pray aloud? For such a time as this? We can’t afford not to!

In my cancer battle, I would play hymns in a slow lullaby style to calm my restlessness in light of the unknown future. Singing and making melody offered release and relief, and a present escape through my physical, emotional, and mental concerns.

(I recorded a “Sleepy Hymns” playlist to share for a baby gift for my niece and others. I would like to offer opportunity that others might experience a release and relief as well.)

A song of longing, healing, hope, . . . somewhere over the rainbow.

From a sigh to praise, read aloud hymns from yesterday

When my mind needs to be renewed, with a good theme. I open up before my eyes, very old hymns published in 1845. Hope, finds it’s place again, my countenance changes, and my heart becomes light.
Who wants a song of sighs anyway? We need God to change our melodies. Tell me, if you agree, these words written long ago, spoken aloud, or sung, have power to change our sighs into praise. They bring to the Psalm a powerful paraphrase.
(There’s an interesting note, in Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs, of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D.D. 1845. It has included  a letter in front of the hymn’s stanzas for some “Direction for Expression.” For example, P means Slow and soft, and E for simply soft. The letter G means to produce a reading Slow and loud.
(p 1  directs for a slow and soft reading), My God, how many are my fears? How fast my foes increase!—Conspiring my eternal death, They break my present peace.
e 2 The lying tempter would persuade, There’s no relief in heaven; And all my swelling sins appear too big to be forgiven.
—3 But thou, my glory and my strength, Shalt on the tempter tread; Shalt silence all my threatening guilt, And raise my drooping head. 
e 4 I cried, and from his holy hill He bowed a listening ear; I called my Father and my God; And he subdued my fear. (1)
We have in this present day, similar feelings of fear and dread, but the unchanging God is the same always, “bowing a listening ear.” How comforting to know the God we love, cares.
Let the words of Psalm 3 ring well in our hearts. In this dark world of sadness, God gives us His word to express the great struggles.

Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
 Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah (2)

 Amplified inserts: “pause, and think of that.”

5He shed soft slumbers on mine eyes, In spite of all my foes; I ‘woke and wondered at the grace, That guarded my repose.
g 6( to be read slow and loud),  What though the host of death and hell, All armed, against me stood; Terrors no more shall shake my soul; My refuge is my God.
Speak it, believe it. Faith helps us to face it all. Psalm 3 will end our devotion with a victor’s call:
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
 I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
“Pause, and think of that!”
(1) C.M. Canterbury of Psalm 3, in Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs, of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D.D. 1845.
(2) Psalm 3, NKJV.
 
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