Let…

Last Sunday at the 10:30am service, we sang the song “King of My Heart” which begins with “Let the King of my heart be the mountain where I run” and continues with other statements that begin with the word “let”: “Let the King of my heart be the shadow where I hide,” “Let the King of my heart be the wind inside my sails,” “Let the King of my heart be the fire inside my veins.” Why would the lyricist chose to begin with “let”? How might it change the song if the lyrics were, “The King of my heart is the mountain where I run” or “The King of my heart is the shadow where I hide”?

Either way is acceptable. Our speech before God can be modeled after the language of the Psalms, which provide many ways to approach songs and prayers. The use of “let” rather than “is” both in the Psalms and in “The King of My Heart” feels like a gracious one, at least to me. I might have a hard time singing “The King of my heart is the mountain where I run” because it is not entirely true. I have ups and downs and look to the things of this world to be my strength. But when I pray to let something happen it is a prayer of openness and faith. We don’t have to have it all figured out. Even though it may seem simple, that small confession of faith and desire can become something God blesses in amazing ways.   

God has given us this gracious model, and I am thankful!

Jill Schroeder-Dorn, Director of Worship Arts, D.A.