The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8
My favorite part of raising children was the bedtime routine. I spent quiet, intimate time connecting with each of them. I would lay with them and pray with them. Stories and songs were often part of our quiet time together. One of the songs I often sang over them was, “As the Deer Pants for the Water.”
Every time I read this phrase in Psalm 42, I fondly remember those intimate times of raising my children. Today as I read verse 8 (above), it occurred to me that my Heavenly Father sings over me in the night, just as I did for my children. His loyal love covers me and protects me in the daytime; His songs comfort and soothe me in the night season. I love the image this conjures up in my mind. I envision my Father delighting in connecting with me in our quiet, intimate time. I imagine Him tucking me in and kissing my forehead, just as I did for my children. What a beautiful picture of my Father’s tender care.
I realize that David, the psalmist, was most likely telling us he sang God’s songs in the night as a prayer to Him, the God of his life. I find both interpretations heartwarming. Here we have God revealing songs of love to David who sings them back to God. In both interpretations, God is ever present, and He is communicating personally, intimately with the children that He loves.
Thank You, Father, for Your tender care. I do long for You and Your presence as a deer pants for water. Thank You that You long for mine as well.