Song Story: Rescue Me
(In this latest blog series, I am sharing the stories behind some of my original recorded music. I hope you enjoy hearing the songs and reading the background behind each one.)
Have you ever felt like you were drowning in the problems of life with no hope or answer in sight? If you have felt this—or maybe even are feeling this right now— I have good news for you: God is ready to hear and answer your cry for rescue.
One of the reasons I love the Psalms (found in the Old Testament of the Bible) is that they are real, relevant, and even raw at times. David wrote many of the Psalms, and they came straight from his heart in days of despair and trouble as well as in days of peace and calm. David had so much confidence and trust in God that he knew he could entrust his deepest, innermost emotions to Him. He didn’t edit out cries for help but voiced them to God who always hears the calls of those in need.
Psalm 69 voices David’s desperate, very human cry for God’s help. This Psalm isn’t just a historical glimpse at the author’s situation, but more importantly is an encouragement and pattern to cry out to God in prayer when we reach the end of our ropes.
Psalm 69 chronicles David’s cry for God’s deliverance but doesn’t end with a clear picture of the resolution of his plight. Instead, David is moved to reassert His praise for and thanks to God, who he recalled always “...hears the needy and does not despise his captive people...” (Psalm 69: 33). When we pray authentically, God gives us His peace as well as hope for the rescue He is bringing now and in the future.
A few years ago, I decided to write a song based on Psalm 69. As much as I love the great songs coming from talented composers and writers with a Christian perspective, I realized there aren’t many that simply express a raw cry for God’s help. This is where some people—even people of faith— can find themselves at times. As a songwriter, I know I can’t always provide specific answers to people’s problems and trials. However, I can point people to God and encourage them to cry out to Him—even in hard days. “Rescue Me” was written with this in mind. I wanted the song “Rescue Me” to have a sense urgency to it, just like David's cry to God. As you listen to the song, please read these selected verses from Psalm 69:
http://chrisatkins.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Rescue-Me.mp4
“Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.” (Psalm 69:1-3)
Have you ever experienced the heart wrenching emotion Davidmust have known? I invite you to let David’s words lead you to entrust yourselfand your circumstances to God, as David did:
"... But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink" (Psalm 69:13-14)
"Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
Come near and rescue me;
deliver me because of my foes." (Psalm 69:16-18)
The musicians I recorded with in the studio put an incredible amount of emotion and energy into the song. We added strings to create a sense of urgency. The lead guitar solo evokes the distress of a person in desperate need. Finally, I recorded all the vocals alone so that the singing felt like the innermost voice of one person. Bryan Mengy, a good friend and outstanding recording engineer, worked to create a mix that conveyed the raw emotions of a person crying out to God.
It’s also important to note that Psalm 69 contains a prophetic reference to Jesus’ death on the cross‑— even though it was written over 1000 years before Jesus was born!
“They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst” (Psalm 69:21)
Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection 3 days later was God’s flawless answer to our greatest need for rescue. Through the pain of his passion and death Jesus paid the perfect price for all our mistakes, sins, and fallen-ness so that, in Him, we can experience peace with God and a place in His forever family and kingdom.
No one is too far gone that God can’t save them. There is no circumstance too difficult for God to reach in and save anyone who asks. Jesus is your Once and for all Rescuer—you only need to turn to Him.
God bless you.
Chris Atkins