Words and Music by Sandra McCracken; from the album “In Feast or Fallow”
(Listen while you read)
I confess the things I am afraid of: thorns and danger just around the bend
I pray for tongues of fire and bands of angels to come and circle ’round me like a fence
I lift my eyes to the hills, where comes my help?
I lift my hands–empty hands–I can’t help myself
I can’t help myself; no, I can’t help myself
My enemies surround me like an army–within, without, the battle’s raging on
I pray the Spirit will be strong and mighty for courage through the night until the dawn
I lift my eyes to the hills, where comes my help?
I lift my hands–empty hands–I can’t help myself
I can’t help myself; no, I can’t help myself
Oh, oh oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Oh, oh oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Oh, oh oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Oh, oh oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Ooooh, oh oh Oh, Oh Oh
Oh trust the Lord–my soul and all that is in me–oh trust the light to show your darkest parts
With wounds of truth and love, a friend who has known me; a fool would keep his secrets in his heart
I lift my eyes to the hills; here comes my help
I lift my hands–empty hands–I can’t help myself
I can’t help myself, can’t help myself
Can’t help myself; no, I can’t help myself; I can’t help myself
Oh, oh oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Oh, oh oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Oh, oh oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Oh, oh oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh
Oh, oh oh Oh, Oh, Oh Oh
To my ear, this song seems to be Sandra McCracken’s targum on Psalm 121:1, 2.
Psalm 121:1-2
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.