Songs of Comfort and Trust in Times of Tragedy

The nature of the human heart is to search for words to express thoughts and feelings. And when those thoughts and feelings have extra intensity to them, our hearts reach for songs to raise.

Sometimes in our songs we are singing our prayers and pleas for help. Other times we are expressing our pain and crying out. Still other times we are professing our faith and giving testimony to what we believe is true even in the face of pain. And we must not forget that a very precious manner of singing is to do so vicariously, that is, we sing the pain and the cries of others because they are not able to do so themselves. So we sing FOR them, becoming their voices.

Here are some possible songs that are fitting for a time as this. Surely you will think of many others as well.

"Lead Me, Guide Me" (PsH 544)
"O God, Our Help in Ages Past" (PsH 170)
"O Lord, My God, Most Earnestly" (PsH 63)
"Those Who Wait Upon the Lord" (SFL 215)
"There Is a Balm in Gilead" (PsH 494)
"I Want Jesus to Walk With Me" (SFL 214)
"If You But Trust in God to Guide You" (PsH 446)
"The Lord, My Shepherd, Rules My Life" (PsH 23)
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" (PsH 550)
"How Long Will You Forget Me, Lord" (PsH 13)
"Protect Me, God: I Trust in You" (PsH 16)
"Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise" (PsH 460)
"God Is Our Refuge and Strength" (PsH 46)
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand" (PsH 493)

PsH, Psalter Hymnal (CRC Publications, 1987)
SFL, Songs for LiFE (CRC Publications, 1994)

The following songs are from Sing! A New Creation (SNC):

SNC 187 In God Alone
SNC 188 Anytime and Anywhere
SNC 198 Your Will Be Done
SNC 205 Healer of Our Every Ill

Note: British Methodist pastor and hymn wrier Andrew Pratt penned two new hymns following the December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami in southern and southeast Asia. These new hymns bring profound questions for deep consideration, and move us to consider all those who suffer in tragedy and loss.