This song started out with the Lord challenging me to sing at the keyboard one day when praying for a friend who was going through an extremely painful time. It's a song that is highly appropriate for anyone going through hard times,  as the Psalmist cries out to the Lord in anguish, declaring God's strength, and that He is our Rock and refuge.

Written and sung by Sally Mowbray © 2022
Jo Garcia - Cello
Nicola Gerrard - Flute

Hear my cry - Psalm 61

It is night. David is sitting in the doorway of the improvised tent he has pitched in the Judean wilderness, looking out at what lies in front of him. The moon and the stars are illuminating a sweeping expanse of bare sand and rock, a drear, dry and waterless place, as different as can be from the green pastures and still waters of the sheepfolds of his youth.

David was a poet at heart, and he sees in the landscape a mirror to the highly challenging circumstances he found himself in, and the barren condition of his inmost heart and mind. His resilience is at an all-time low, his faith and courage stretched almost to breaking point. 

Is this where it will all end for him? He recalls all the wonderful times he used to enjoy in the sanctuary of the Lord: the brightly coloured robes and fragrant incense, the words and music flowing together; a place where the only overshadow came from the cherubim of God, not from any dark power trying to snuff out his life. He craves again that all-encompassing sense of the Lord ‘s presence. 

As he gazes, he remembers. There have been many times when the Lord has had to discipline Him severely, but never once has He failed to rescue him. David gathers his thoughts, stretches out his arms, and pours out his heart: 

O God, You are my God.
Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You.
My body yearns for You in this dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory.
Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands.
My soul is satisfied as with the richest of foods.
With joyful lips my mouth will praise You!
When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night.
You are my help. 
I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings. 
My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
But those who seek my life to destroy it will go into the depths of the earth.
They will fall to the power of the sword; they will become a portion for jackals and foxes.
But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by Him will exult, for the mouths of liars will be shut.

You Are My God

Ruach Breath of Life

Related tracks