Recently I was listening to a relatively modern day psalm. It probably wasn’t written as a psalm but it sure sounded like one of those laments for someone who can help. “Help! I need somebody, Help! Not just anybody, Help! You know I need someone, help.” Yes it is by the Beatles and most likely is sung for a girl or a friend, or someone earthly who can help out a lonely, confused person.
HELP!
HELP! I NEED SOMEBODY,
HELP! NOT JUST ANYBODY,
HELP! YOU KNOW I NEED SOMEONE, HELP.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, SO MUCH YOUNGER THAN TODAY,
I NEVER NEEDED ANYBODY’S HELP IN ANY WAY.
BUT NOW THESE DAYS ARE GONE, I’M NOT SO SELF ASSURED,
NOW I FIND I’VE CHANGED MY MIND I’VE OPENED UP THE DOORS.
HELP ME IF YOU CAN, I’M FEELING DOWN
AND I DO APPRECIATE YOU BEING AROUND.
HELP ME GET MY FEET BACK ON THE GROUND,
WON’T YOU PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME.
AND NOW MY LIFE HAS CHANGED IN OH SO MANY WAYS,
MY INDEPENDENCE SEEMS TO VANISH IN THE HAZE.
BUT EV’RY NOW AND THEN I FEEL SO INSECURE,
I KNOW THAT I JUST NEED YOU LIKE I’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.
HELP ME IF YOU CAN, I’M FEELING DOWN
AND I DO APPRECIATE YOU BEING AROUND.
HELP ME GET MY FEET BACK ON THE GROUND,
WON’T YOU PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, SO MUCH YOUNGER THAN TODAY,
I NEVER NEEDED ANYBODY’S HELP IN ANY WAY.
BUT NOW THESE DAYS ARE GONE, I’M NOT SO SELF ASSURED,
NOW I FIND I’VE CHANGED MY MIND I’VE OPENED UP THE DOORS.
HELP ME IF YOU CAN, I’M FEELING DOWN
AND I DO APPRECIATE YOU BEING ROUND.
HELP ME, GET MY FEET BACK ON THE GROUND,
WON’T YOU PLEASE,
PLEASE HELP ME,
HELP ME,
HELP ME, OH. (The Beatles)
But in it I hear the call to the One who can truly help. The line is right that it is not just anybody we need. It is Jesus we need. When you are down, when you are trying to get your feet back on the ground, when your independence has vanished and you feel so insecure, when you just need someone to be around, He is there.
So if you are singing this song of lament you are not alone. Centuries of people have sung the same kind of song. Some have sung it out in desperation to no one in particular. However, there is someone to sing this song too who really cares. The true Author of the 150 psalms of the Bible has given us permission to cry out to Him for help. He will listen. Psalm 121 speaks of this One who can help.
Psalm 121 A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills– where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip– he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you– the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm– he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Sing to the ONE who can Help!
Scott for Wellspring © copyright 2009
