Psalms 113-118 (called The Hallel) are used during the celebration of the Passover meal. When you read these psalms, it's impossible not to be moved to imagine Jesus singing those verses, celebrating that last Passover before His crucifixion.
"The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD: 'O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!'" (Psalm 116:3-4)
"For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 116:8-9)
"I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." (Psalm 116:13- 15)
To me, it is most amazing to think of Jesus and His disciples leaving the upper room singing Psalm 118:24. As David and I were writing the lyric to this evening's song, we could not get over that. Jesus, the hours dwindling before His arrest, trial, beating and crucifixion, before He would bear our sins on the cross, could sing, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
We tried to write words that would reflect His agony, the desire not to have to "drink the cup" the Father had poured out for Him, and His faithful surrender to His Father's will. We also tried to make this a song of personal surrender for each one of us, especially when we are called to share in the "fellowship of His suffering."
"The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD: 'O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!'" (Psalm 116:3-4)
"For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 116:8-9)
"I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." (Psalm 116:13- 15)
To me, it is most amazing to think of Jesus and His disciples leaving the upper room singing Psalm 118:24. As David and I were writing the lyric to this evening's song, we could not get over that. Jesus, the hours dwindling before His arrest, trial, beating and crucifixion, before He would bear our sins on the cross, could sing, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
We tried to write words that would reflect His agony, the desire not to have to "drink the cup" the Father had poured out for Him, and His faithful surrender to His Father's will. We also tried to make this a song of personal surrender for each one of us, especially when we are called to share in the "fellowship of His suffering."
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