Hiding Place
by John Michael Talbot
Hiding Place is the title track of the album “Hiding Place” by John Michael Talbot. The song is rooted directly in Psalm 32.
The entire album is beautiful and helpful for relaxation and reflection on the holy scriptures. It focuses on taking refuge in the love of God and surrounding ourselves in His Mercy through confession, and in his love through his abiding presence in prayer and in maintaining a closeness to him
The album is available as a CD or digital. You can learn more about John Michael Talbot and his music at his official website.
Our Lady of Grace is very grateful to John and his manager for giving us permission to use his song on our website. Below you will find the lyrics to the song, as well as the original Psalm 32, an idea on how to use this song to your spiritual advantage, as well as the artwork used on this page.
Lyrics
You are my hiding place, O Lord
You saved me in my distress
You are my hiding place
You save me from distress
You surround my soul
With cries of deliverance
Let every good man pray to You
In his hour of need
Flood waters may reach high
But him they shall not reach
Let every good man pray
In his hour of need
CHORUS:
You are my hiding place, O Lord
You gaze into the secrets of my soul
A hidden secret wastes my frame
I groan through the night and cry
Through the day
I will confess my sin
My guilt I will not hide
I will confess my pride
And God will forgive
Psalm 32
Blessed is the one whose fault is removed,
whose sin is forgiven.
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no deceit.
Because I kept silent, my bones wasted away;
I groaned all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength withered as in dry summer heat.
Then I declared my sin to you;
my guilt I did not hide.
I said, “I confess my transgression to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
Therefore every loyal person should pray to you
in time of distress.
Though flood waters threaten,
they will never reach him.
You are my shelter; you guard me from distress;
with joyful shouts of deliverance you surround me.
I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk,
give you counsel with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding;
with bit and bridle their temper is curbed,
else they will not come to you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked one,
but mercy surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous;
exult, all you upright of heart.
Reflection
Hiding Place, based on Psalm 32, is about God’s mercy and love for us. Listen to the song quietly, in a relaxed state, with your eyes closed. Pay attention to the lyrics. Reflect on what they’re saying, and on what God may be saying to you through the song.
Some parts of the song may stand out. Reflect a little longer on that part. Or read the Psalm and reflect on its meaning. Once again, if a particular section of the psalm stands out for you, spend a little extra time reflecting on it, and on what God is telling you through it.
About the Art
Christ The Consolator
1884 by Carl Heinrich Bloch
Christ stands on a fragmented slab of rock, implying that He is the “rock of our salvation.” As He stands with outstretched arms, two male figures lean against Him, seeking peace and refuge. Their inclined figures form the base of a triangular composition and direct the eye to the compassionate face of the Savior. A widow wearing a black veil stands behind the child who peers out at the viewer.
The troubled face of a man in chains on the right suggests the apprehension with which he comes to the Savior for forgiveness. At first, he hesitates, wondering if his offering of a broken heart is enough. Behind him a skeptic appears deep in thought. By including this diverse cross-section of humankind, the painting expresses reassurance that Jesus will accept all of them, and us as well.
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