Wherever I am, LORD, you are.

But you seem even more in certain sacred spaces:

…when I look over the city from the 15th floor,

…as I walk the trail of leaves through the forest,

…when I gaze at my sleeping children,

…as I sing unhindered in worship.

Thank you for these sacred spaces where heaven and earth meet.

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God, I’m urging the United Nations to give you a standing ovation.  I’m hoping that heads of state will cry with joy regarding you. 

Why?  Because you are the King over all the earth.

I’m traveling to London, Washington, Moscow and Baghdad asking leaders to join my praise chorus.  I’m enrolling dignitaries in my God-focused song-writing workshop. 

Why?  Because you are the King over all the earth.

The kings and presidents and dictators who rule over the people are ruled over by you.  Their thrones pale next to yours. 

You are the King over all the earth.

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My God, I felt rejected by you.  Forgotten by you.  Abandoned by you.

But then I withdrew to a lonely place.  I sought out solitude.  And in that holy and quiet place, I met you for the first time again.

Now my soul is no longer downcast.  My hope is renewed.  And praise once more flows from my lips.

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God, my soul is sad.  My heart is hopeless.  I’m frowning on the outside and the inside.

But I know the cure.  That crack in my heart can only be fixed by you.  That thirst in my throat can only be quenched by you.  

How refreshing you are!  Like those times when I would worship you in the assembly.  You replaced everything that was missing within me.

So I’m telling my soul, “Cheer up!”  I’m counseling my heart, “Have hope!”  For I will praise you again, my Savior and my God.

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My lips cannot stop praising you, LORD.  Because you heard me.

Every tick of the clock finds me worshipping you.  Because you heard me.

I invite everyone I see to say something good about you.  Because you heard me.

I was scared.  I was in danger.  I was in trouble.  But I cried to you, and you heard me.

Thank you God for hearing!

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LORD, I’m so full of joy that I’ve invited the Grammy winners to record a new song to you.  I’m so full of praise that I’ve asked the world’s symphonies to play a concert for you.

What’s gotten into me?  It’s your unfailing love. 

I see your unfailing love in your Word.  Every letter in your Word rings true.  Your Word reveals what is just.  Your Word made the stars and planets, the clouds and sun, the mountains and valleys, and the lakes and oceans.

I see your unfailing love in your plans.  The world superpowers may pass legislation and dictate demands, but you always have the veto.  What you want always over-rides what they want.  Nothing gets in the way of your plans.

And I see your unfailing love in your  care.  Like a lifeguard, from your vantage point you see everything going on in our lives.  Nothing slips past your watchful gaze.  You always stand ready to dive in and rescue.

Your unfailing love.  That’s why I’m singing today.

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I was stumbling in the valley – now I’m standing on the mountaintop.

I was diseased with distress – now I’m healed with happiness.

I was marching to the grave – now I’m skipping with the living.

I used to cry myself to sleep – now I laugh myself awake.

I once sung the blues – now I dance in the streets.

My wardrobe was “sadness” – now my closet contains ”joy.”

And you, LORD – you’re the one who did this.

I will praise you forever.

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I’ve suffered the blows of barbaric people.

I’ve witnessed the wickedness of others.

And now I feel weak.  Faint.  Fatigued.

But on my knees I cried to you.  And you answered.  All that was wrong you made right.

And now I feel strong.  Empowered.  Exuberant.

You are my strength, LORD.  You are the strength of all who turn to you.

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LORD, there are trials in my life that trouble me.  Though devoted to you I still suffer distress.  

Yet I can say with confidence: My trust is in you LORD.  My hope is in you LORD.  My refuge is in you LORD.

Why?  Because your mercy and love are older than the hills.  You are good.  You are upright.  You are faithful.

So, show me your ways LORD.  Teach me your paths.  Make clear to me how to live with hope in the hopeless times.

My trust is in you LORD.  My hope is in you LORD.  My refuge is in you LORD.

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In the good times, you’re the one who provides  my weary bones comfortable rest, my parched throat cool water, and my anxiety-baked spirit refreshing peace.

In the bad times, when the sky’s falling and the walls are closing in, you’re the one who’s always present, calming me.

If each gift and blessing from you were a grape that I squeezed into a Guinness-Book-of-World-Record-sized wine glass, it would overflow with that happy red juice!

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