Psalm 18: I Will Call Upon The Lord

I’ve heard people say, “When you sing, you pray twice.”  Is this as true for you as it is for me?  This week we lean into Singing with the Psalms.  

I appreciate that last week, we “practiced” Lectio Divina, reading scripture and allowing the Spirit to help us focus on a word or phrase for our breathing, our journaling, and our lives. Perhaps for each of the song writers to create a hymn, song, or chant.  These songs, for the most part, do not use the Psalm in entirety and verse by verse. Instead, the lyricist takes a word or phrase like we did last week and lets the words flow from there.  As we lean into Singing with the Psalms this week, I invite you to move beyond your mind down into your heart.

Scripture:      Psalm 18        

Focus:    I call upon the Lord.  ~Psalm 18:3 

Song Lyrics:      Words and music by Michael O'Shields, written in 1981 

Take this Link to Listen to the Song: I Will Call Upon the Lord by Trail Reeves, Acapella Hymns for Worship:

I will call upon the Lord
Who is worthy to be praised
So shall I be saved from my enemies
The Lord liveth and blessed be the Rock
And let the God of my salvation be exalted 

Commentary:  Psalm 18 is a psalm of thanksgiving written King David in a situation of divine deliverance. Praising God is not just for worshiping in church but is also appropriate while we are in the midst of living, noticing God’s presence and feeling God’s blessings.  

Michael O’Shields was a poor traveling “wilderness” bible teacher in West Texas and Oklahoma in the 80’s, offering bible studies in people’s homes.  As he traveled, he often wrote songs and introduced them while he taught the scriptures to other.  I Will Call Upon the Lord is one of those songs.  

Reflection: Who are your "enemies?"  Has God ever saved you from situations of stress with them? How do you praise God in the midst of your daily life?  How do you exalt God?

Breath Prayer of the Day:      
Breathing in … God of my Salvation    
Breathing out … I exalt you