My refuge, God, is Your powerful Name.
May I never once be ashamed.
In Your righteousness, come, help me break free!
Oh hear my please and rescue me!
With You, my Lord, I man constantly walk.
For You’re my refuge and my rock!
Announce Your command that I should be saved,
In You, my fortress, strong and brave.
Release me whole, my God, from wicked hands,
From the calloused claws of evil man.
You are my Lord most high, my hope, my truth.
My trust is in You from my youth.
And since You drew me from my mother’s womb.
This praise for You has me consumed.
To some, I’m a sign – either bad or good.
With You, God, evil is withstood.
Oh, may my mouth and words be filled with praise
Of Your splendor God all my days!
Please, don’t throw me off in my elder years
When I’m frail and can’t see or hear.
There are those around me who have conspired;
They watch and wait for me to tire.
They say, “his God has now abandoned him.
Let’s seize and then devour him.”
Do not be far, my God, please come stand close;
Defend me quickly from my foes.
Away with those who seek me to accuse;
May they be shamed and made confused.
With a heart of endless hope, I adore
My God and praise Him more and more.
Through this unskilled hand and my unlearned mind,
I’ll ink the ways of our Divine!
For all the mighty works to make You known,
I come with praise, God, Yours alone.
You taught me since the days that I was young;
Thus, I’ll not leave Your deeds unsung.
When I am wrinkled and my head is gray,
Give life so that my mouth can say:
“Beloved, God is great and God is good.
Keep His words you’ve learned from childhood.”
Your righteousness reaches heaven on high.
None can compare to God most high.
You made me walk on paths of grief and pain,
But I will thrive with life again!
You will lift me from the depths of the earth,
And once again give my life worth.
What honor remains in me, let it grow,
Renew with comfort You bestow.
I will strum my guitar to You in praise,
My mind on You, my voice upraised!
Your faithfulness has made me pluck these strings
To praise the only Chosen King.
To celebrate my God is my life’s theme,
This joyful soul that You redeemed.
My words on lips and tongue, yes, all I say
Are of Your goodness day by day,
While evil ones, who seek to harm my name,
Are lost, alone, and die in shame.
Jared Travis 