A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem
1 From the depths of despair, O Lord,
I call for your help.
2 Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.
3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
4 But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
5 I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
6 I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;
for with the Lord there is unfailing love.
His redemption overflows.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from every kind of sin.
V 6 I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
Time drags as you lie awake in the night and sleep eludes you! The soldier on night watch feels much the same – when will the night end and the sun rise over the rooftops? Many of us experience at some time what we know as ‘The dark night of the soul.’ Unwanted thoughts of despair creep in – and there seems no end to them. Health concerns, financial pressure, emotional turmoil in relationships; and am I losing my mind and memory?
Pause to ask yourself ‘What is it I really want?’ Doesn’t your heart whisper to you ‘I really want to experience more of God in all this?’ Join the crowd of pilgrims who can only declare ‘ I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him.’