Call me impatient, but I wanted to get this out... So here it is. Psalm 16. The first (and probably only) single from my new album. I've put it up on Noisetrade and while this isn't the final mix of the song I feel comfortable with sharing this and starting to get the word out that we're closing in on this project and it's nearing completion. When I get new mixes from the studio I will update the track and send out a post about it and maybe what we changed. I'm guessing that 99% of you won't notice much change though... 

GO HERE
http://noisetrade.com/rickhopkins3

I wrote this song at a real high point in my walk with God. One of those times when it seems like everything is clicking and your relationship has never been better. I was reading through Psalm 16 and it leveled me. The joy that David took at being in the presence of the Lord was something I was able to tangible experience and I was overwhelmed with the fact that God was my refuge in whom I would not be shaken. I had nothing, nor did I need anything besides him. I wanted to take the words that I imagined David singing out and sing them out myself... He does not leave us abandoned to the grave... I will rest secure and find joy in his presence. He makes known to me the path of life and the freedom of his presence...

I have led worship at Ada Bible Church for the past 7 years among a congregation that has lost 4 beloved members in the past year and half to cancer. One of them being a close friend and fellow musician. The message that God does not leave us abandoned to the grave is my hope for a new day when we'll see each other again and be utterly unimpressed with seeing each other... we won't care because the presence of God will be so all encompassing that the time we've had apart will be forgotten.

I hope this song lifts your spirits. I'd love to get your thoughts on it. Thank you all for your support and love.

Psalm 16

1 Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.

2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”

3 As for the saints who are in the land,
they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.

5 Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.

6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,

10 because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

11 You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.


--
Rick Hopkins
http://www.rickhopkins.com/
616.340.9645

We're putting the finishing touches on the album. A couple more bass parts to record, and couple of string parts to record... Then mixing, mastering, duplication, and finally shipping. Woohoo! I'll keep you posted.

Thank you all again for all the support and for your patience with how long it has taken to get the album done. It's surprisingly hard to get 4 guys with wives and kids together to record music... Who'd have guessed it...

Rick Hopkins
http://www.rickhopkins.com/
http://www.facebook.com/rickhopkinsmusic