In the sanctuary service, Andrew sang a song that I don’t believe I had ever heard before—“Four Days More.” He had told me he had picked out the perfect song for the scripture, and no lie! It went right along with the story in John 11 of Lazarus’ death and Martha’s frustration that it took Jesus so long for him to get there. But “isn’t it great,” the song inquires, “when He’s four days late, He’s still on time.” What reason even is there for anyone to preach after we’ve heard a song like that? (By the way, that was a rhetorical question!)

And in the Crest service, Margee sang a song that I’m not sure I remember hearing either. It is called “Still Waters (Psalm 23).” The lyrics grabbed me from the very first line: “Great Aunt Maurine said at a hundred and three / Write scripture on your heart for when you need it / ‘Cause anxiety hates Psalm 23 / So just say it to yourself ‘til you believe it.”

As soon as I heard Margee sing that line “Write scripture on your heart for when you need it,” I was reminded of an old Hasidic Jewish story that goes something like this:

A disciple asked their teacher, “Why does the scripture tell us to ‘place these words upon your hearts’? Why not tell us to place them in our hearts?’ The teacher responded, “It is because, as we are, our hearts are closed, and we cannot place the holy words in our hearts. So we place them on top of our hearts. And that’s where they stay until, one day, when our heart breaks, the holy words can fall in.”

As far as I’m concerned, the words of Psalm 23 are as good as any for us to place on our hearts. As the writers of “Still Waters” paraphrased it, 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want

He leads me by still waters ‘til my fears are gone

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Oh, I know You are with me, my Father, my friend

Your goodness and mercy will follow me all of my days

I know by Your still waters, I’m safe