Stand by me

A few months ago, in one of the junior high school English classes that I teach, we had a lesson about the song “Stand by Me.”

I suppose that’s why that song popped up in my head as I read these words:

The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage!” (Acts 23:11)

Of course, there’s no way Paul was singing, “Stand by me” that night. But some of the lyrics in that song are based on Psalm 46, and it’s possible that Paul was singing those words that night.

God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.

Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas
though its water roars and foams
and the mountains quake with its turmoil. (Psalm 46:1-3)

So to borrow Ben E. King’s words,

Lord, I won’t be afraid.
No, I won’t be afraid.
Just as long as you stand by me.