On a retreat at the Prince of Peace Abbey a few years ago I was taking a walk and praying from Psalm 65. Down the hill and across the ocean the sun was setting. Above my head the birds were singing and the breeze was rustling in the trees. Soon darkness descended and I was invited to relax on a hammock under the moon and the stars. Inspired by David’s Psalm I sang a prayer poem to my Lord.
What joy it brought me to sing thanks and praise to the Lord with the Psalmist and his creation. What an honor to know that my song from my heart blessed our great God. Do you ever sing a Psalm to the Lord? You don’t have to wait for a church service! Sing praise to the Father, Son, and Spirit with me…
Songs of Joy
O Father God, our Creator, our love,
Praise awaits you in your kingdom.
You hear prayer so to you we come —
We bow before your throne.
You formed the mountains by your power
And you hold the depths of the earth in your hands.
Blessed are those you choose
And bring near to live in your courts!
Where morning dawns and evening fades
Father God, you call forth songs of love.
I am in awe of all of God’s wonders;
Lord, you are the giver and sustainer of all life.
O Son of God, our Savior, our joy,
You are the hope of the ends of the earth
And of the farthest seas.
When we were overwhelmed by our sins
You forgave all our transgressions.
You came to us from heaven’s hill
To still the roaring of the seas
With your word to us, “Peace! Be still.”
Where morning dawns and evening fades
Lord Jesus, you call forth songs of joy.
I am in awe of all of God’s wonders;
Lord, you are the giver and sustainer of all life.
O Spirit of God, our Life-Source, our peace,
Your river in the heavens flows to us;
You drench the land with showers –
Softening our hearts with your grace.
Hills and valleys are clothed with gladness;
Desert and meadows thrive in your abundance.
Lord God, you crown us with your bounty!
We shout for joy and sing to you!
Where morning dawns and evening fades
Holy Spirit, you call forth songs of peace.
I am in awe of all of God’s wonders;
Lord, you are the giver and sustainer of all life.
(Inspired by Psalm 65)
More Soul Shepherding
“No Notes? Sing a Psalm Anyway!” tells the story of how the Lord blessed me as I started making up my own tunes to sing Psalms.
