ORSBORNAGAIN (25)

A devotional series by Major Rob Birks

ORSBORNAGAIN is meant to introduce the poetry of the first Poet General, Albert Orsborn (1886-1967) to a new audience and to reintroduce his works to dyed-in-the-(tropical)-wool Salvationists.

These are not new songs.

However, the lyrics are jam-packed with new life, which may be missed during corporate worship. Re-examined through scripture and experience, Rob Birks intends through an examination of these scared songs to renew the spiritual fervor of believers, and point seekers to their Savior.

Unto thee will I cry, 
Shepherd, hear my prayer! 
Poor and needy am I, 
Shepherd, hear my prayer! 
Deep is calling unto deep. 
Rugged are the heights, and steep;

Guide my steps and keep; 
Hear, O hear my prayer! 
Hear, O hear my prayer!  

Where the tempest is loud,  
Shepherd, hear my prayer!  
’Mid the darkness and cloud,  
Shepherd, hear my prayer 
Let me hear thy voice afar,  
Coming with the morning star;  
True thy mercies are!  
Hear, O hear my prayer!  
Hear, O hear my prayer!  

Let the foe not prevail,  
Shepherd, hear my prayer! 
My resources would fail,  
Shepherd, hear my prayer!  
Order all my steps aright, 
Carry me from height to height;  
Yonder shines the light!  
Shepherd, lead me there! 
Lead me safely there!  

Albert Orsborn 
794 Our Response to God – Holiness, Means of Grace, Prayer

Considering the prayerful poetry Orsborn has offered here, it seems wrong to do anything but consider and pray through this psalm of David. (For musical accompaniment, check out Jon Foreman’s “House of God, Forever.”)  

Psalm 23  
A psalm of David.  

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
he refreshes my soul.  
He guides me along the right paths  
for his name’s sake. 
Even though I walk 
through the darkest valley,  
I will fear no evil, 
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, 
they comfort me. 
You prepare a table before me 
in the presence of my enemies. 
You anoint my head with oil; 
my cup overflows. 
Surely your goodness and love will follow me  
all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD  
forever.  

Psalm 23 (MSG)  
A David Psalm  

GOD, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.  
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,  
you find me quiet pools to drink from.  
True to your word, 
you let me catch my breath 
and send me in the right direction. 

 
Even when the way goes through  
Death Valley, 
I’m not afraid 
when you walk at my side.  
Your trusty shepherd’s crook  
makes me feel secure.

 
You serve me a six-course dinner 
right in front of my enemies.  
You revive my drooping head; 
my cup brims with blessing. 

 
Your beauty and love chase after me  
every day of my life. 
I’m back home in the house of GOD  
for the rest of my life.  

As you finish up reading for today, enjoy this archival version of Psalm 23 (message version) written by Ivor Bosanko, sung by the WMI Chorus and conducted by Janette Bosanko.

No Lion or Bear can ever surprise our ever-watchful guardian or overcome our Almighty Deliverer. —D.L. Moody