[Intro — fingerpicked acoustic guitar alone] [Verse 1 — Bubba, male] Bless the one who sees the helpless, Who will stop and learn their name. Who can recognize a neighbor When there’s nothing left to gain. Lord, remember them in trouble, Be their shelter through the strain. When they lie worn down with sickness, Meet them there and give them strength. [Electric guitar answers; bass enters] [Verse 2 — Bubba, male] As for me, I need Your mercy; I have sinned, and You know how. There’s no use in hiding from You; Let Your healing reach me now. I can hear the talk around me, Hear them guessing at my end. But I’m bringing You this sorrow As I lie upon this bed. [Brushed drums enter; Hammond rises softly] [Chorus — Bubba lead; Darlene, female harmony] Let Your mercy find my bedside, Let Your presence hold me near. When the room grows still around me, You can hear what no one hears. You know all the hurt I carry, All the wrong I need to face. Lord, be gracious in my weakness; Keep me in Your loving care. [Piano enters; harmonica answers] [Verse 3 — Darlene, female] Some come close with empty kindness, Then go carrying tales away. What they whisper in the hallway Isn’t what they came to say. They have gathered round your weakness, Sure you’ll never rise again. You can bring their words before Him; He can hear beneath the din. [Fiddle enters, low and tender] [Verse 4 — Bubba, male] There was one I called my companion, One who shared the bread I broke. I had trusted him beside me, Trusted every friendly word. Now that closeness makes it harder; There’s a wound where friendship stood. Lord, You know the whole of this sorrow; Help me place it in Your care. [Chorus — full duet] Let Your mercy find my bedside, Let Your presence hold me near. When the room grows still around me, You can hear what no one hears. You know all the hurt I carry, All the wrong I need to face. Lord, be gracious in my weakness; Keep me in Your loving care. [Instrumental — electric guitar; harmonica answers; tenor sax carries the melody] [Bridge — organ and voices] [Bubba, male] Lord, be gracious; raise me up now. Let the wrong be answered true. [Darlene, female] You can judge what lies between us; We can bring it all to You. [Bubba, male] Do not let their harm prevail here. Let me know You hold me still. [Both] Keep our lives within Your presence; Give us strength to do Your will. [Bass and drums return; piano builds] [Final verse — Bubba, male] You uphold me in Your keeping, Set me near You through my days. I will rest my life before You; I will give Your name my praise. Past this room and past this trouble, You remain our faithful Lord. Let the people lift their voices; Let our thanks become one accord. [Full band — warm brass, sax, fiddle and choir] [Closing praise — duet and choir] Bless the Lord, the God of Israel, Through the ages still to come. From before our first beginning, Past the setting of the sun. Let our grateful voices answer; Let the whole house sing again: Bless the Lord, the God of Israel. Amen, and amen. [Band softens — acoustic guitar and organ] [Bubba, male] In my weakness, You uphold me. [Darlene, female] In Your presence, let us stay. [Both, softly] Bless the Lord through all the ages. Amen, and amen.
