Based on Psalm 25:1-10
Read the first couple of verses of this psalm out loud. Does it sound familiar? If you’ve ever attended a Christian camp, then you might start singing, “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul (clap clap); in You I trust, O Lord!” This is a song I sang constantly as a kid. It’s very short, and deviates from the psalm as it continues: “Higher than the mountains, deeper than the sea, wider than the ocean is Your love for me! You’re with me on the mountain and the valley below. You are right here beside me everywhere that I go!” If you ask nicely, you might be able to convince me to sing it for you, complete with actions.
Although only the first part of the song is taken directly from Psalm 25, I think it’s a very important part. David is saying that his God is the most important thing in his entire life – that he places his complete trust in God without hesitation. He is willing to give God his soul, his very being. There is nothing that David wishes to hide from the sight of God. He acknowledges his unworthiness and God’s worthiness.
This is re-emphasized in the rest of the passage, especially verses 4-5: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” David could have easily told God his problem and given God instructions for how to solve it; instead, he admits that he has no idea, and begs God for help. This is the natural effect of giving everything to God. When you have given everything away, you are empty, and the only way to be filled is to go to the one who holds your soul.
The verse of the song I referenced earlier is not taken from Psalm 25; however, I see how it relates. In these ten verses David references the steadfast love of God three times. I think we can rest assured that he would have agreed with the song’s description of God’s love and steadfastness. When we empty ourselves to God, he does not abandon us. On the contrary, he continues to love and guide us, so that we are empty of ourselves, but full of his grace and mercy. No matter what we are going through, he will always be there to fill us up. We will always have reason to sing!