Songs of Deliverance

"...thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7

Ever since my fall was followed by surgery on my knee, I have been captivated by the references to songs in the Bible. As I mentioned previously, when I was not able to sleep I found comfort in music that was centered around the Word of God - songs in the night. Last night before going to sleep, one of the Psalms I read was Psalm 32 in which the Psalmist speaks of songs of deliverance.

The Psalmist speaks of God as his protector and hiding place. One of great comforts of the Psalmist was God's provision of songs of deliverance. As I laid in bed, I began to wonder what these songs of deliverance were. My final conclusion is that they are songs of praise to God for what He did in the life of the Psalmist. Reminders of God's previous help and protection in difficult times serve to comfort us in the lonely hours when our minds tend to move towards depressing thoughts of loneliness, helplessness and the feeling of being on a dead end street.

The consequence is that we can lift our voice and rejoice in the Lord and shout for joy. Not because of our difficulties but because we have a constant companion who will not forsake us. He will comfort us and, because of His love, wisdom and omnipotence, He will use our circumstances for His glory and our good.

Songs of deliverance are more than a rehearsal of what God has done. They are also expressions of our unfailing faith in our God. I have my own personal songs of deliverance. Do you? The greatest blessing we can have today is to be encouraged by the songs of deliverance in God's Word. Every Psalm is both a song in the night and a song of deliverance for those dark hours when everything looks so bleak.

Last night I was also comforted by a song written by Horatio G. Spafford following the death of his four daughters at sea.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain
It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!

Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain