On Monday I shared about one of the best pieces of advice I received in preparing for my birth: memorizing a Psalm and a hymn. Today I want to share my Psalm and hymn with you so that it may encourage you in finding the Psalm and hymn that comforts you.
My Psalm, that I have had in my heart since I was a young girl and still comforts me in all life circumstances to this day, is Psalm 23. I know it is a common one, but take some time to read it slowly and reflect on the message of who God is and who we are in Him.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me like down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
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 goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
There are 150 Psalms given to us in God’s Word and they are all amazing. I love Psalm 23 as it reminds me that God is with me at all times and how much I need to remember this in the throws of labor.
What is it God wants to remind you of as you are giving birth?
The hymn that I reflect on is “How Great Thou Art.” This is one that became important to me after Jim’s and my first mission trip together in Moldova. We were standing on the balcony of an underground church worshiping with Brothers and Sisters and singing this song in three languages. It was beautiful and peaceful. When I sing or hear this hymn, I’m back on that balcony, beholding God’s beauty in creation and worshiping my Creator with all that I am.
How Great Thou Art
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
And when I think of God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
When Christ shall come with shout of acclimation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
How I love to worship my God while bearing the children He has blessed me with. It reminds me of who He is and who I am and I know that no matter how challenging it gets, He is there with me. He knows my pain. He knows my struggle. He knows the outcome. And because He knows, I can be at peace while I give birth.
There are so many amazing hymns, both traditional and modern that give us grace to focus on God while we labor. Look at a hymnal at your local church or search the online hymnals. Find one that reminds you of who God is.
Will you share yours? Encourage others by sharing what God has given you!
What is your Psalm? What is your hymn?