"’It was a very hopeless time, a very depressed time,’ Laurie
Klein said. ‘I felt the poverty of my own life keenly at that point, both
emotionally and physically.’
"That morning I was so empty, I knew I didn't have
anything to offer Him. I asked if He would like to hear me sing . .. if He would just give me something He would
be in the mood to hear.’"
Such is the backdrop of Laurie Klein's classic praise song, "I
Love You, Lord," written in 1974.
Laurie Klein, a native of Wisconsin, displayed musical
talent and interest at a young age. Encouraged by her mother, she learned to
play piano, autoharp, and guitar. She started writing songs at age 16, the
first one titled “Loving Unconditionally.” At age 24, she met and married Bill
Klein while at Central Oregon Community College. Their life was simple and
difficult, as they started a family with no money to spare.
Isolated in the Oregon wilderness, Klein had no community,
no nearby friends, and no local church body to call home. Making things worse,
she did not drive, so she could not go visit friends or family who lived
farther away than walking distance. Her loneliness drove her to invest more
fully in her daily time of devotion to God. The song rose out of her daily
quiet time in the morning before her toddler woke up.
Recognizing that the words had some merit, Klein quickly
wrote them down. Later, she sang the song for her husband, who suggested she
play it for a local pastor and some musicians
The song found its way to Jack Hayford’s Church on the Way
in Van Nuys, California, and was recorded by several musicians of the budding
Christian music scene, including Buck and Annie Herring (2nd Chapter of Acts). But
its greatest exposure was on Maranatha! Music's Praise 4 in 1980. Since then,
the song has “quietly made its way around the world.”
Klein describes herself as a “lifelong creative with a
growing contemplative streak,” and notes that she has “switched hats more often
than hobos in a vaudeville skit.” Currently, she “scribes” on her blog, lauriekleinscribe.com,
which includes reflections on nature, beauty, and human experiences—all through
the lens of an ongoing relationship with God.
The Kleins, now parents of two grown daughters, live in
Dearpark, Washington. Both have served on staff at various churches over the
years, but their focus these days is House of Mercy, through which Bill acts as
consultant to worship leaders of various denominations. A sampling of their
song writing, including a stunning version of "I Love You, Lord", is
available on a 1996 independent recording called “All My Days.”
Now, Klein is more driven by a thirst for intimacy with God
than ever. God has placed the phrase, "prepare Me a place" on her
heart as a personal theme.
"We're called to prepare room for Him," Laurie
explains. The heart of a worshiper becomes evident as she speaks. "We must
be prepared to meet Him no matter who we're talking to or what we're doing,
whether we're worshiping in church or worshiping with all the tasks that make
up our day."
Klein said: "The most meaningful time that I ever heard
anyone sing my song was in the fall of 2000 while my husband and I were in a
Discipleship Training School. Late one night, in the dormitory, I heard a baby
crying. I slipped down the hall to the outside of the door just to pray for the
baby, that it would be able to sleep. As I was praying outside the door, I
heard the mother singing a song, but the little one kept crying. She then began
to sing 'I Love You, Lord,' and while she was singing, the baby fell
asleep. The mother had no idea that the one who wrote the song was just outside
the door."
Find a desert. Although Klein may not have many pleasant
memories of central Oregon and 1974, what washed over this forlorn young woman
should make any serious believer and music-lover wonder if he shouldn’t be
hunting the desert more intentionally. What was it God said about ‘poor in
spirit’ (Matthew 5:3), or about the desert (again, see Hosea 2:14). People see
him there (Exodus 16:10), it’s where David sought Him (Psalm 63:1), it’s where
he can transform the barren into the fertile (Isaiah 51:3), where He will make
the desolate and sad joyful again (Jeremiah 33:9-11). From Moses (Ex. 7:30) to
Jesus (Matthew 4), the barren place is an awaiting encounter with Him and a
place where He can be present to chase away evil, despite what the surroundings
look like. Spend some time in a desert, at least once.
"Though it is a very simple song, it changed everything
for me, and it still is changing life for me. When you are in a dark valley and
the Lord gives you light, it makes all the difference, and you keep growing,” Klein
said.
The words are worshipful and sweet. The melody is joyous and
draws you into God’s presence. Together they make you feel in tune with God and
enjoying praising Him in such a tender and special way.
“I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice”
Explainingthebible.com: Psalm 18:1 is a beautiful declaration of one’s love and devotion to God. The psalmist is expressing not just an emotional connection, but a profound recognition of who God is in his life . . . By declaring his love for God, the psalmist invites us to consider our own love for God. Love for God manifests in several ways, including worship, obedience, prayer, and service to others. It calls for an authenticity that comes from recognizing God’s involvement in our lives, which develops a deeper appreciation and affection for Him . . . Love isn’t just a fleeting emotion; it’s about consistency, faithfulness, and dedication to God. This commitment sets the stage for a relationship that’s built on trust and surrender.
Godsbless.ing: David initiates his prayer by asking God to attentively listen to his words, highlighting the significance of verbalizing our prayers. This phrase underscores the intimate relationship between David and God, demonstrating that God is attentive to our spoken petitions . . . David implores God to ponder his innermost thoughts and reflections, emphasizing that prayer encompasses not only spoken words but also the meditations of the heart.
Explainingthebible.com: “Hear my voice,” represents a personal channel of communication. It’s a reminder of how we must actively pursue a relationship with God. We can come to Him with our deepest feelings, thoughts, and concerns. It’s about being brave enough to open our hearts and speak out. The acknowledgement of our vulnerability creates a space for comfort and connection.
“To worship You, O my soul rejoice”
Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: In your worship, and in all your acts of obedience. Let there be joy in this service . . . Let it be a cheerful, happy service; let it be freely rendered, let it be an occasion of joy to the soul. The service of God is a source of the highest joy that man knows . . . Come before His presence with singing - As expressive of joy. So the birds sing; so nature rejoices; so should man - intelligent, redeemed, immortal man, be joyful.
Godsbless.ing: Is a verse that calls for joyful worship and service to the Lord, emphasizing the attitude and spirit with which we should approach our relationship with God. Psalm 100 is a psalm of thanksgiving, calling all the earth to worship the Lord with gladness. It sets the tone for a joyous and grateful approach to God, highlighting the importance of expressing our worship with a spirit of joy.
Explainingthebible: This verse brings forth a profound truth about the joy and security that comes from trusting in God. When we reflect on this passage, we understand that having a relationship with God fills our hearts with gladness. It’s a reminder that our souls can find peace when we rely on Him. The use of the word “heart” hints at an inner feeling, suggesting that true joy originates from deep within us, resonating through our emotions . . . the phrase “my tongue rejoices” indicates that our expressions should reflect the joy we feel inside. When our hearts are filled with happiness, it naturally overflows into our words and actions. Our celebration of God’s goodness can inspire others to seek Him as well.
"Take joy, my King, in what You hear,"
Explainingthebible.com: By looking for God’s love in the morning, we cultivate an attitude of thankfulness. It encourages us to start our day not with complaints or negativity but with a heart full of gratitude for what God has done for us. Gratitude opens our eyes to see the countless blessings that God pours into our lives. This mindset of appreciation creates a ripple effect, affecting our interactions with others and how we approach our day-to-day responsibilities.
“May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.”
Explainingthebible: The phrase “He will hear them” is a promise that God listens to us. Not only does He hear our words, but He also understands our hearts. This assurance that God is attentive can empower us to be more open and vulnerable with God in our prayers . . . It is a statement of assurance about God’s willingness to listen. As humans, we may feel unheard or invisible at times, but this verse illuminates the fact that God is always attentive. This invites us to approach Him with confidence during our prayers, knowing that our voices carry weight before Him. Our cries for justice, help, or healing resonate in His heart.
God still uses people in our generation to write words that celebrate Him. Laurie Klein is one of those.
