During a very difficult time in 2014, I struggled with sleep. Early one morning, around 5:00 am, I pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled out these words based loosely on Psalm 23. It’s of the same meter as that of “Amazing Grace” (8.6.8.6). I’m so thankful that God takes these expressions of prayer and praise!

How sweet and precious is your way
That leads through pastures green
That makes me lie by waters still
And turns my soul serene.

How hard and troubling is your way
That brings death’s shadow drear.
My only comfort is to know
That your hand leads me clear.

How sweet and precious is your way;
Your path lit by your word.
Enough light given for each step
Away from sin’s allure.

How hard and troubling is your way
When my heart-sin’s revealed
To see how prone I am to stray
My sorrow’s unconcealed!

How sweet and precious is your way
To know forgiveness sweet.
To know the joy of mercies new
Where earth and heaven meet.

Teach me to know the way that’s sweet
And know the way that’s hard.
Yes, in each way you show what’s next
Lord, keep us close in heart.

(Matthew R. Perry, 2014)