“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” Psalm 86:5
I was sitting at a Celebrate Recovery meeting at a friend’s church and during the lesson portion the teacher said something about how Jesus forgives freely. I scribbled the words freely forgive at the top of my paper and thought a song could come out of that. Not long after I sat down to write and looked through the scriptures and came upon Psalm 86. I pulled lots of lyrics out of that chapter. This song had a different vibe than the others and I waited to share it with “the world”, Johnny (one of my ministry partners) kept pestering me to post something about it on social media but I held my ground. This song is the only song with no piano or keyboard in it, I do, however, lead it in prisons on occasion with just the keyboard but it isn’t as good 😉
Somewhere along the way I thought a ukulele would be fun to add to the mix and asked my cousin’s teenage son, Joel, to play with us. My usual bass player played Djembe and acoustic guitar and vocalist Mark rounded out the team for a great sound. In the studio, the producer added an acoustic bass. Take a look at the lyrics and a listen to both a rehearsal and the final product.
Aren’t you glad that Jesus so freely forgives when we don’t deserve it? Call out to Him, He is listening and will answer you.
“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.” Psalm 86:3
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.” Psalm 86:5-7
“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” Psalm 86:9
“Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” Psalm 86:11-12
“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.” Psalm 86:15-17
Freely Forgive
Verse 1
You bend Your ear to me, Lord
You hear me when I call
You give me Your salvation
My sins no more recall
Verse 2
Lord, You are good and steadfast
You listen to my prayer
You answer pleas for mercy
And keep me in Your care
Chorus
And You, show me Your grace
Lord, You give me Your mercy
And I, walk in Your light
‘Cause You, freely forgive
(repeat)
Verse 3
Give me Your strength to serve, Lord
Help me abide in You
You show me favor, O Lord
Your love and comfort proof
Verse 4
You teach me Your way, O Lord
That I may walk in truth
Your word revealed will unite
My heart to fear You
Bridge
Turn to me, be gracious, Lord
Hide away my shame
I will kneel and bow before You
And glorify Your name
(repeat)
©2016 Christy Hoagland (ASCAP Sing for the King Publishing)
Christy Hoagland 