The Lifter of My Head

I love music and I love to sing. Sometimes hearing words set to music opens my eyes to the message far more than the original reading of it does. I love the book of Psalms and since it was actually written as songs, it obviously lends itself to some beautiful music based on the scriptures found within.
One of my favorite chapters is Psalm 3. I was introduced to a song in choir a few years ago that made this chapter come alive. It has spoken to me ever since. When I am tired of the struggles of this world, tired of feeling beat up by circumstances out of my control, this is the Psalm that soothes my spirit.

As sung by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Psalm 3 (NKJ)
A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.

 ¹ LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!
         Many are they who rise up against me.
 ² Many are they who say of me,
         “There is no help for him in God.”  Selah
      
 ³ But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
         My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
 ⁴ I cried to the LORD with my voice,
         And He heard me from His holy hill.  Selah
      
 ⁵ I lay down and slept;
         I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
 ⁶ I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
         Who have set themselves against me all around.
      
 ⁷ Arise, O LORD;
         Save me, O my God!
         For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
         You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
 ⁸ Salvation belongs to the LORD.
         Your blessing is upon Your people.  Selah  

Blessings ~Marla

Shut Up!

Why is it that one of the hardest things for me to do is to keep my mouth shut? I can be doing fairly well at holding my tongue, and then KABOOM! Out spouts everything I have been holding inside. For the most part I try to avoid conversations about topics that I become emotional about. But when someone else keeps bringing it up? Sooner or later my mouth opens up, and often I regret the results. Why does this happen? Am I the only one with this problem? Apparently not. The bible is full of verses on taming the tongue. One of the less harsh ones is Psalm 141:3  Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!  So today I pulled out an old song I used to sing in church and reminded myself of the lyrics. They make a wonderful prayer!

A Heart Like Yours by Sierra

So quick to anger
And so rarely slow to speak
My best intentions
Pick the worst of times to leave
Lord, make me stronger
Help me stand up to the test
I want to give my all
Instead of just what's left

I am longing
For a heart like Yours
Full of goodness
Faithful, pure
Leading a path
Straight to Heaven's door
I am longing
For a heart like Yours

The robes of mercy
Are what broken people need
But chains of judgment
Seem to come more easily
Lord, take this pride
That's always standing in my way
So I can see a different world
Through eyes of grace 

~ Marla