Psalm 27- A Song in My Heart

The wicked seek to consume me

To encamp and surround

Their war attempts are rising

Their cruelty abounds

But, I believe in goodness

Found in living God's laws

From His pavilion I'm blessed

To withstand their prideful claws

Here, I seek to keep the Lord's face

That He set me upon His rock

Though false witnesses try to break

It's the covenant path I walk

Lord, lead  me in a plain path

To Thy Holy house always

Help me stand tall where I am at

With a song in my heart of praise

https://biblehub.com/topical/i/instruments_of_david.htm

David instructs the Levites to appoint musicians to play "harps, lyres, and cymbals" to raise sounds of joy. The psaltery, similar to a harp, was used in temple worship and is often associated with the singing of psalms.

I did the color coding at the following site: 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ps/27?lang=eng&id=title_number1-p14#title_number1

Psalm 27

David says, The Lord is my light and my salvation—He desires to dwell in the house of the Lord forever—He counsels, Wait on the Lord and be of good courage.

A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Controversy and Faith- By Faith and Prayer

It is in the controversy
That you will find your faith
Is the worry of discrepancy
Worth the struggle that you face?

Remember Satan lies by telling half of the truth
And that our Savior can turn the bad into good
The church in its infancy was brought up by a youth
Everything was new, they did the best that they could

It was by faith and prayer that early Saints carried on
Striving though surrounded by enemies, some, once their friends
Though persecutors pounded, they did not wreak the wrong
All of this prepared and refined them as pioneers in the end

[Verse 1] It is in the controversy That you will find your faith Is the worry of discrepancy Worth the struggle that you face? [Pre-Chorus] Remember Satan lies By telling half the truth And our Savior turns The bad into good [Chorus] By faith and prayer We carried on By faith and prayer We stood so strong By faith and prayer He led us through And made a road Where none once grew [Verse 2] The church in its infancy Was brought up by a youth Everything was new They did the best they could It was by faith and prayer That early Saints carried on Striving through the enemies Some once were friends [Pre-Chorus] Though persecutors pounded They did not wreak the wrong Every blow became A step toward dawn [Chorus] By faith and prayer We carried on By faith and prayer We stood so strong By faith and prayer He led us through And made a road Where none once grew [Bridge] All of this prepared them Refined them like gold In the fire of sorrow Their story held What was broken Became the stone That pioneers could stand on When they were worn [Final Chorus] By faith and prayer We carried on By faith and prayer We stood so strong By faith and prayer He led us through And made a road Where none once grew

A Thirst For Sobriety

Deep down I've a thirst

For I don't know what 

A pain that's the worst

For a cure I must hunt

------ -------

The more that I drink

It sinks into ink

Black enough to kill

It shallows my will

The first drink is fun

But I am not done

I'll toast to my friends

A night without end

I can't drink enough

This makes things so tough

The guilt, disappointment

Go numb.Last laugh's enjoyment 

-------------

Was that you for the New Year celebration? 

Never before are drinks so available!

Overcome. There's a sobering education

Let go. Let God! And be fallible!

The path is 12 segments long

Right all who you have wronged

Take time to surrender

It's the way to be strong

Thirst, For your sobriety

Christ can flood your soul with peace

No more baffling cunning slips

Let love in and dignity increase

[Verse 1] Deep down I've a thirst For I don't know what A pain that's the worst For a cure I must hunt The more that I drink It sinks into ink Black enough to kill It shallows my will The first drink is fun But I am not done I'll toast to my friends A night without end [Pre-Chorus] I can't drink enough This makes things so tough The guilt, disappointment Go numb [Chorus] Let go. Let God! Let go. Let God! (Let go. Let God!) Thirst, for your sobriety Christ can flood your soul with peace Let go. Let God! Let go. Let God! (Let go. Let God!) No more baffling cunning slips Let love in and dignity increase [Verse 2] Was that you for the New Year celebration? Never before are drinks so available! Overcome. There's a sobering education Let go. Let God! And be fallible! The path is 12 segments long Right all who you have wronged Take time to surrender It's the way to be strong [Chorus] Let go. Let God! Let go. Let God! (Let go. Let God!) Thirst, for your sobriety Christ can flood your soul with peace Let go. Let God! Let go. Let God! (Let go. Let God!) No more baffling cunning slips Let love in and dignity increase [Bridge] Deep down, I was chasing What could not fill my hand Now I lay it down And I can stand [Final Chorus] Let go. Let God! Let go. Let God! (Let go. Let God!) Thirst, for your sobriety Christ can flood your soul with peace Let go. Let God! Let go. Let God! (Let go. Let God!) No more baffling cunning slips Let love in and dignity increase

thank you Patti

Meekness- Everywhere to Be Found

I stepped into the word
And looked every which way around.
I discovered the Lord.
He was everywhere to be found!

One who is selfless in service
And squares his shoulders for the task.
Who but follows his known purpose
And, through every trial, he does pass.

As a willing participant,
He enjoys his life and learning.
When called for, he is obedient
To show God's love, he is yearning.

[pre-chorus]

And in the quiet, I can see

The hand of God in all I meet

A faithful way, a patient heart

A holy life set apart

[Chorus]

He is everywhere to be found

Everywhere to be found

His love is all around

His love is all around

He is able to take criticism
And knows when to be silent.
He is a model citizen
Because he is self-reliant.

His goal is but to please
And he endures ingratitude.
His soul is filled with peace
From a positive attitude.

He is observant most of all
And finds nature is his tutor.
As all things point to God
He is hopeful for the future.

[pre-chorus]

And in the quiet, I can see

The hand of God in all I meet

A faithful way, a patient heart

A holy life set apart

[Chorus]

He is everywhere to be found

Everywhere to be found

His love is all around

His love is all around

contemporary

Verse 1]

I stepped into the word

And looked every which way around

I discovered the Lord

He was everywhere to be found

One who is selfless in service

And squares his shoulders for the task

Who but follows his known purpose

And, through every trial, he does pass

[Pre-Chorus]

As a willing participant

He enjoys his life and learning

When called for, he is obedient

To show God's love, he is yearning

[Chorus]

He is everywhere to be found

(Everywhere to be found)

He is everywhere to be found

(Everywhere to be found)

His love is all around

His love is all around

[Verse 2]

He is able to take criticism

And knows when to be silent

He is a model citizen

Because he is self-reliant

His goal is but to please

And he endures ingratitude

His soul is filled with peace

From a positive attitude

[Pre-Chorus]

He is observant most of all

And finds nature is his tutor

As all things point to God

He is hopeful for the future

[Chorus]

He is everywhere to be found

(Everywhere to be found)

He is everywhere to be found

(Everywhere to be found)

His love is all around

His love is all around

[Bridge]

And in the quiet, I can see

The hand of God in all I meet

A faithful way, a patient heart

A holy life set apart

[Final Chorus]

He is everywhere to be found

(Everywhere to be found)

He is everywhere to be found

(Everywhere to be found)

His love is all around

His love is all around

Pondering Meekness- A Dimension of True Discipleship
By Neal A Maxwell
BYU Address 1982

I also learned what meekness is not: pursuing worldly trends, vanity, insincerity, uncertainty, saving our "image", defensive, ego tantrums, demanding, feeling entitled, indulgence, status, being first, worrying about being taken advantage of, sarcasm, pride, self-conscious, persecuting others, contending with adversaries, scorning others, look down on others, speaking down, coarseness, selfishness, machismo

Here is a great site detailing scriptures:  http://www.gospelway.com/christianlife/meekness.php

Let Your Face Shine- Halo of Glory

True, a face can light up 

With the Spirit and power of God

Too, it can shine with love

When all malice towards others is gone

Love one another

And be lifted from the world

Fill your soul with light

Through the reading of God's word

Pray that God be a lamp

Ever to light your feet

Share His glad message to all

He places before you to meet

May your presence and kindness

Alleviate the pains of the distressed

Let your motives be righteous

And God's love for them be expressed

May a halo of glory 

shine around your path

May others call you blessed

As charity, you have

Tose groaning in poverty

Those mired in trial

Those with temptations

Bring them hope to smile

Bear with the faults and errors

Let your hearts expand

Teach repentance, we're sinners

Help them seek God's hand

The enemies before your path

Offer but a soft answer

Turn away all of their wrath

Show them love is what you are after

Oh that we could swiftly lift them

And cast their sins behind our backs

That they might feel God's promise given

But each much travail their own paths

Smile and be of good cheer

Even when death is all around

The comforter draws near

That light and love more surround

Read about everyday life of the early Saints and thoughts from and about Joseph Smith.

Teachings of Joseph Smith

A person filled with the love of God is anxious to bless others.

“Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”²

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-37?lang=eng

Let Your Face Shine

[Verse 1] True, a face can light up With the Spirit and power of God Too, it can shine with love When all malice towards others is gone [Chorus] Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Verse 2] Pray that God be a lamp Ever to light your feet Share His glad message to all He places before you to meet [Chorus] Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Verse 3] May your presence and kindness Alleviate the pains of the distressed Let your motives be righteous And God's love for them be expressed [Verse 4] May a halo of glory Shine around your path May others call you blessed As charity, you have [Chorus] Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Verse 5] Those groaning in poverty Those mired in trial Those with temptations Bring them hope to smile [Verse 6] Bear with the faults and errors Let your hearts expand Teach repentance, we're sinners Help them seek God's hand [Bridge] The enemies before your path Offer but a soft answer Turn away all of their wrath Show them love is what you are after [Verse 7] Oh, that we could swiftly lift them And cast their sins behind our backs That they might feel God's promise given But each must travail their own paths [Verse 8] Smile and be of good cheer Even when death is all around The Comforter draws near That light and love more surround [Final Chorus] Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Outro] Let your face shine with love Let God's light lead you home

version 2 Halo of Glory

[Verse 1] True, a face can light up With the Spirit and power of God Too, it can shine with love When all malice towards others is gone Love one another And be lifted from the world Fill your soul with light Through the reading of God's word [Pre-Chorus] Pray that God be a lamp Ever to light your feet Share His glad message to all He places before you to meet [Chorus] May your presence and kindness Alleviate the pains of the distressed Let your motives be righteous And God's love for them be expressed Halo of glory Shine around your path Halo of glory May others call you blessed [Verse 2] As charity, you have Those groaning in poverty Those mired in trial Those with temptations Bring them hope to smile Bear with the faults and errors Let your hearts expand Teach repentance, we're sinners [Pre-Chorus] Help them seek God's hand The enemies before your path Offer but a soft answer Turn away all of their wrath [Chorus] May your presence and kindness Alleviate the pains of the distressed Let your motives be righteous And God's love for them be expressed Halo of glory Shine around your path Halo of glory May others call you blessed [Bridge] Oh that we could swiftly lift them And cast their sins behind our backs That they might feel God's promise given But each much travail their own paths Smile and be of good cheer Even when death is all around The comforter draws near That light and love more surround [Final Chorus] May your presence and kindness Alleviate the pains of the distressed Let your motives be righteous And God's love for them be expressed Halo of glory Shine around your path Halo of glory May others call you blessed