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Look at The World - John Rutter
Sung by Bedford Congress Hall Songsters on 22nd September 2019
For those of you who know me I am a proud Scot. I left Scotland some 48 years ago to move to Bedford. Strangely though I’ve been here all these years and I still look as Scotland as Home. There is a saying ‘You can take the girl out of Scotland, but you cannot take Scotland out of the girl’. One of the most difficult things I found when moving to Bedford was the flatness of it all. We had lived amongst beautiful hills and mountains and beaches. Perhaps taken for granted when living there but so missed when it was no longer there to appreciate.
Since we all had the directive to be in Lock Down at first, we weren’t sure what exactly that would mean. Now 6 weeks later how is it for you? For Stuart and I it has been manageable. Most days we get on with it without any problems but then on another day that longing to be with your family takes hold and pulls us down a little. We have had concerns regarding extended family too.
We miss our friends and we miss the opportunity of meeting for worship in the usual way.
So, in these unusual days when the norm is no longer, and we really don’t know how it will be in the future. The Lord brought these words from Psalm 121 to me:
Since we all had the directive to be in Lock Down at first, we weren’t sure what exactly that would mean. Now 6 weeks later how is it for you? For Stuart and I it has been manageable. Most days we get on with it without any problems but then on another day that longing to be with your family takes hold and pulls us down a little. We have had concerns regarding extended family too.
We miss our friends and we miss the opportunity of meeting for worship in the usual way.
So, in these unusual days when the norm is no longer, and we really don’t know how it will be in the future. The Lord brought these words from Psalm 121 to me:
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I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. |
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In times like these how do we deal with the uncertainties of life? From where does our help come? Verses 1 & 2 of this Psalm gives us God’s assurance of help in these times of trouble.
Our God who is the Creator of heaven and earth. He has created every star, every galaxy. He created the hills and the valleys, every creature and you and me. The Christian life does not eliminate us from the terrors of our age. It equips us with God’s help to walk each step, knowing that He is there as Help and guide us.
Let us continue to put our hope in God in these troubled times.
As you listen to this beautiful rendering of the Hymn Tune, “Ochills”, associated with the song “To the Hills I Lift My Eyes”, and read these words of Psalm 121 taken from “Psalms Now”, a new translation that captures the meaning of the Psalms for our time, by Leslie F. Brandt.
Click on the arrow on the left of the sound bar below to hear the tune, or click on the image below to hear the band and see the words of song 554 - To The Hills.
Our God who is the Creator of heaven and earth. He has created every star, every galaxy. He created the hills and the valleys, every creature and you and me. The Christian life does not eliminate us from the terrors of our age. It equips us with God’s help to walk each step, knowing that He is there as Help and guide us.
Let us continue to put our hope in God in these troubled times.
As you listen to this beautiful rendering of the Hymn Tune, “Ochills”, associated with the song “To the Hills I Lift My Eyes”, and read these words of Psalm 121 taken from “Psalms Now”, a new translation that captures the meaning of the Psalms for our time, by Leslie F. Brandt.
Click on the arrow on the left of the sound bar below to hear the tune, or click on the image below to hear the band and see the words of song 554 - To The Hills.
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Psalm 121 from Psalms Now - Leslie F. Brandt.
Where should I look for help in my need?
To majestic mountain peaks that probe our skies
or to giants of industry that clog our land?
To satellites that circle our world
or to computers that store our knowledge?
The answer to my problems
and the fulfilment of my needs
must come from God Himself,
from Him who created skies and mountains
and men and women to dwell in their midst.
He is a great God who knows our every desire,
whose watchful eye is upon us night and day.
We can make no move without His knowledge.
His concern for His children is constant,
His love for them eternal.
And thus the Lord will keep you,
shielding you from the forces of evil
as a shade tree shields you
from the rays of the blazing sun.
He does care for you,
and He will fight with you
against the enemies of your soul.
Whether you are coming or going,
He knows the course you take,
and He will go before you
Where should I look for help in my need?
To majestic mountain peaks that probe our skies
or to giants of industry that clog our land?
To satellites that circle our world
or to computers that store our knowledge?
The answer to my problems
and the fulfilment of my needs
must come from God Himself,
from Him who created skies and mountains
and men and women to dwell in their midst.
He is a great God who knows our every desire,
whose watchful eye is upon us night and day.
We can make no move without His knowledge.
His concern for His children is constant,
His love for them eternal.
And thus the Lord will keep you,
shielding you from the forces of evil
as a shade tree shields you
from the rays of the blazing sun.
He does care for you,
and He will fight with you
against the enemies of your soul.
Whether you are coming or going,
He knows the course you take,
and He will go before you