Behind the Music ~ Psalm 71

“Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?” Psalm 71:19

Psalm 71 is about rescue, deliverance, redemption and praise, praise, praise!

“My praise is continually of you.” Psalm 71:6b

“My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.” Psalm 71:8

“But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.” Psalm 71:14-15

“I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long.” Psalm 71:22-24a

This song, song #8, was the final song for my album titled “Sing for the King”. Along with my 8 original songs I chose two others co-written by Tonya Poe, Wayne Smothermann, and David Garcia; Wordless and I Believe.

Psalm 71 got its title because I didn’t know what to call it, honestly. Interestingly enough, when people saw the title it made them read the scriptures from Psalm 71. Maybe all songs should be titled this way 🙂

Musically this song transformed from keys and lead vocal to 3 part harmonies and a more intricate piano version, along with all the other instruments that gave it a special kind of oomph. I played the keys part on the recording but when I do this song live I simply cannot play that rhythm and sing at the same time (maybe with lots of practice…but probably not). The other vocal parts consisted of a lower harmony and high harmony, my cousin, Jenn was originally slated to sing some of these parts but was unable to make the recording due to a surgery she had to endure. Jamie Groshart sings the high harmony and I sing the other parts. I am so thankful for so many talented musicians to sing, play and record music. I wrote this song in January of 2017, below is the raw, first, just finished writing version with me and the keyboard. And then the recording for the album.

Psalm 71

Verse 1
Deliver me, in Your righteousness
Rescue my soul, save me, O Lord
Verse 2
Be to me, my refuge and strength
Hide me, O Lord, in Your truth and Your grace

Chorus
I will praise You, I will praise You
An offering I bring, to give honor to my King

Verse 3
Pursue me, with your redeeming love
Remind me, I am Yours alone
Verse 4
Upon You, I have leaned all my life
Send me, to proclaim Your sacrifice

Bridge
You, who restores me
You, who revives me
You lift me up again
Your reign will never end

Chorus 2
We will praise You, We will praise You
An offering we bring, to give honor to our King

Tag
Pursue me, with Your redeeming love
Remind me, I am Yours alone