HYMN: How Long Will You Forget?

Once again I find myself in the unexpected and sad situation of being a pastor without a congregation to serve. It's a long story, one I'm not exactly ready to tell. But after the axe fell, one of my pastor colleagues—thank God for faithful brothers who provided support, encouragement, and prayers in the midst of heartache—encouraged me to meditate upon Psalm 13 in my devotions. The benefit of considering King David's prayers in the midst of my own is that a fellow sinner dares to all but yell at God in the midst of difficulties he largely brought upon himself. It's not so much that it's right to be angry with God, but with David I can see how anger and frustration turn into acceptance, then hope, and finally joy.

Anyway, as I considered Psalm 13, an idea for a hymn version of the Psalm came to mind. What appears below bears little resemblance to that first idea, but the juices started to flow nonetheless. The suggested tune for now for this text, AUF MEINEN LIEBEN GOTT, is the tune for the beautiful hymn "In God, My Faithful God," hymn 745 in Lutheran Service Book. 

As always, feedback is love.

How Long Will You Forget?

1. How long will You forget?

Your servant is beset. 

Your face from me is taken. 

Am I to be forsaken?

My soul persists in anguish;

Apart from You, I languish. 

2. I long to hear Your voice

As enemies rejoice. 

Consider, Lord, and hear me!

In boundless grace be near me!

Oh, let me not be shaken. 

Let joy in me awaken. 

3. Your steadfast love I trust,

For You are true and just. 

O Christ, my faithful Savior,

Your praise I sing forever,

Before my foes confessing

Your bounty as my blessing. 

66 77 77

AUF MEINEN LIEBEN GOTT (LSB 745)

Psalm 13; Tribulation