Doug Lane
From Fellowship Family Church, Grand Prairie, TX
After a year of not writing a single song, this one flowed out a couple of weeks ago. Based somewhat on Psalm 27, this song is written out of a season of waiting in pain and longing.
The chorus was writting three or four years ago, and I was never able to do anything with it. Then, a couple weeks ago, the rest just started flowing out. All except the first line. Couldn't write the first line.
Then, during a Sunday service, the line came to me during the sermon, and I felt that the Holy Spirit was leading me to sing the song. So, I ran to the computer in the back and began typing it into EasyWorship. It sounded as though the pastor was going to wrap up before I was finished, so I resigned myself to waiting another week or two to debut it. Then the pastor launched into another point! I think that's the first time a long sermon has been an answer to prayer! So, I threw out the changes to the band as we were going up, and we did it. The response was overwhelming from the congregation. It still had work to be done though...
I've already been through four or five rewrites, and now I submit it to ya'll.
(Pardon the recording, but you work with what you have. The guitar is too loud at points. Hoping to re-record at some point, but this should at least give you a good idea.)
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Wait (Psalm 27)
Words and Music by
Doug Lane
Fear and doubt surround me, consume me
My confidence is shaken
Help faithful eyes to seek You, see You
You’ve always been there for me
I have never been abandoned
By the God who gives me just what I need
I will wait on You
Wait on You
I will wait on You
Wait on You
Though others may forsake me, leave me
The Lord will be my shelter
All my days You’ve numbered, You know them
I am not a stranger to your gaze
I will never been abandoned
By the God who gives me just what I need
If the Lord is my light
Of what shall I be afraid?
And if the Lord is my rock
Then what shall I fear?
What shall I fear?
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Gav,
Thanks for always being honest with me. Few are so lovingly blunt. :-)
I actually agree with you on almost everything. The "faithful eyes" isn't right... I've been chewing on that in my mind for a few days now. Not sure "eyes" is right, frankly. And I'm thinking something like "longing" or "hopeful". Weary is good too... maybe "weary hearts"? "Weary souls"? I'll keep playing with it.
Hadn't thought about the tense issue, but you're probably right (you usually are!!!). The trick is to keep it future tense, even if we switch it from 1st to 3rd or vice versa. How about:
"Lord, You will be my shelter"?
Thanks a bunch for giving me specifics. I knew it wasn't finished, but couldn't put my finger on what wasn't right.
-Doug
hey doug,
happy to help! i think the lord you will be my shelter could work well.
i see what youre trying to do with the faithful (or weary) line. i thought you were still talking about yourself there.
in which case i dont know whether you need to change to asking God to help others at that moment, as the rest of the song seems to be a personal prayer. i was meaning your own weary eyes.
but maybe have a play with it and see what you think.
God bless,
gav
Gav,
Made some of the adjustments we'd talked about. Also changed the word "Rock" in the bridge to "strength". Closer to the original wording in Psalm 27:1 (refuge, stronghold, or strength). I'll try to rerecord today, but not sure if that's going to happen.
Going with "weary" for the moment. I'll have to let it simmer for a week or two, but for now it seems like the right word. Thanks for the suggestion.
-Doug
Wait (Psalm 27) ---- Updated
Words and Music by
Doug Lane
Fear and doubt surround me, consume me
My confidence is shaken
Help weary eyes to seek You, see You
You’ve always been there for me
I have never been abandoned
By the God who gives me just what I need
I will wait on You
Wait on You
I will wait on You
Wait on You
Though others may forsake me, leave me
Lord, you will be my shelter
All my days You’ve numbered, You know them
I’m not a stranger to your gaze
I will never been abandoned
By the God who gives me just what I need
If You are my light
Of what shall I be afraid?
And if You are my strength
Then what shall I fear?
What shall I fear?
Hi Doug
im not sure about the line (im not a stranger to your gaze) how about
(im not a stranger you know me) instead. it might flow better with the rest of the song.
im not sure about the (gaze) word, it dosent sound very singable. i like all the other changes you made to your song.
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hi doug,
i like this a lot and love the story behind it!
if im being honest i still think it can be even better lyrically tho.
the line, help faithful eyes to seek you, is that your faithful eyes? or other peoples?
for me maybe faithful is the wrong word, what about help my weary eyes to seek you?
you also change tense in the song saying, 'the Lord will be my shelter', (God in the 3rd person)
then the next line is all my days youve numbered (God in the 1st person), then back to the 3rd person in the bridge.
if you kept all the tenses the same ie something like 'Oh Lord youre my shelter' i thin kthe song would be even stronger.
glad it worked with your congregation, its hard songwriting at times but be encouraged!
God bless,
gav./