Our son Ethan doesn’t always enjoy his car seat. By trial and error, we’ve discovered a few hymns that seem to calm him down almost immediately. The problem is that we don’t always remember the right lyrics (we often improvise, which certainly gets us laughing, but then he starts crying again!). So, I’ve decided to start assembling a smartphone-friendly list of hymns and their lyrics, which we can then bookmark on our phones and get to quickly in time of need. It’s available here, and you’re welcome to it. Point your phone’s browser to the index, capture a bookmark, and you’re good to go for hymns on the road!
I’ve only put three hymns up so far – the three that calm him most quickly. If you have a request or two, let me know in the comments or via email and I’ll see what I can do.
(HT: Trinity Hymnal)
gmail.com
I sing settings of Psalms 23, 121 [show] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
, and 34 to sooth Liam. I think 121 is especially suited for lullaby’s: it reminds the listener that God never sleeps and that there is not a time when the believer is not under the watchful eye of his/her Father.
[2]He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
[3]He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
[4]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.
[5]You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
[6]Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
[2]My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
[3]He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
[4]Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
[5]The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
[6]The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
[7]The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
[8]The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
Do you use a psalter, or is this from memory? If you use a psalter, could you offer a recommendation? (Thanks!)
From memory. Psalm 121C and 34C are the settings I sing; both are found in our church white mini Psalter at COC. I prefer the words of the Psalm 23 [show] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
setting found in the Scottish Psalter. I can’t find the tune that I like online, but I’ll sing it for you Christmas Sunday if you’d like.
[2]He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
[3]He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
[4]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.
[5]You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
[6]Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
I would like that very much.
Hi Aron,
Ethan is absolutely adorable! I hope you are doing well and that you and your family have a fabulous Holiday! :D
Jen