Along with words of poetry, when I was grieving, music also touched my soul. My favorite ones were old, gospel hymns. I thought of them as “Sunday night songs” when church services were held morning and evening where the morning worship songs were more dignified, Sunday night songs, were more rousing. One song that I played over and over again was “Hiding Place.”

I think I was drawn to this particular song was because I knew Jesus was the only person who truly understood my loss. Remember when Jesus came to the tomb of his friend, Lazarus, he wept–cried deeply–and despite that he knew–because he was also God, that Lazarus would be raised up. Yet Jesus wept–cried deeply–at the death of his friend.  As you read the lyrics, follow the song by the group Jars of Clay. You can listen right here on this page–scroll down after you press play and read along with the lyrics of the song below:

Amidst the sorrows of the way
Lord Jesus, teach my soul to pray
Let me taste Thy special grace
And run to Christ, my hiding place
[Verse 2]
You know the vileness of my heart
So prone to act the rebel’s part
And when You veil Your lovely face
How can I find a hiding place[Chorus]
Hiding place, hiding place
[Verse 3]
Lord, guide my wandering feet
Draw me to Thy mercy seat
I’ve nought to trust but sovereign grace
Thou only art my hiding place
[Verse 4]
How unstable is my heart
Sometimes I take the tempter’s part
And slight the tokens of Thy grace
And seem to want no hiding place
[Chorus]
Hiding place, hiding place
[Verse 5]
But when Thy spirit shines within
Makes me feel the plague of sin
And how I long to see Thy face
‘Tis then I want a hiding place
[Verse 6]
Lord Jesus, shine and then I can
Feel sweetness in salvation’s plan
And as a sinner plead for grace
Christ, the sinner’s hiding place
And as a sinner plead for grace
Christ, the sinner’s hiding place