Lyrics
I will bless the Lord forever,
And I will trust Him at all times.
He has delivered me from all things,
And He has set my feet upon the Rock.
I will not be moved, and I'll say of the Lord:
You are my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, Deliverer,
My Shelter, Strong Tower, my very present help in time of need.
Whom have I in heaven but You.
There's not a desire beside You.
You have made me glad, and I'll say of the Lord:
You are my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, Deliverer,
My Shelter, Strong Tower, my very present help in time of need.
My very present help in time of need.
My very present help in time of need.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Made Me Glad is a confession of trust built from biblical names and images for God's care. The opening promise to bless the Lord and trust Him at all times closely echoes Psalm 34. Deliverance and feet set upon a rock recall Psalm 40, while the repeated description of God as present help draws directly from Psalm 46:1. Together, these lines present security as rooted in God's character rather than in stable circumstances.
The chorus gathers several expressions of dependence: shield, strength, portion, deliverer, shelter, and strong tower. Each title adds a distinct aspect of refuge, yet the focus remains on one faithful Lord. The declaration that nothing in heaven or on earth is desired beside God also resembles Psalm 73:25, placing delight in God above every other source of confidence. Repetition at the close reinforces the song's central assurance that divine help is neither distant nor abstract, but present in times of need.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 34:1 The psalmist resolves to bless the Lord at all times.
- Psalm 40:2 God brings the psalmist from danger and sets his feet upon a rock.
- Psalm 46:1 God is called a refuge, strength, and very present help in trouble.