David wrote this psalm during a troubled time in his life.  I think we can all relate to what David wrote in this psalm because we all have troubled times in our lives.  The heartfelt words in this psalm ring as true today as they did back then.  We would be wise to make this one of our daily prayers in times of trouble.  When your problems go from bad to worse, ask the Lord to save you from them all, just as David did.  An old hymn says ‘tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.’  Turn to Jesus Christ our Savior, the Son of God, for help in any troubled circumstances you are facing or will face in our world, our nation, or any kind of personal problems.  The Lord hears our prayers.

“O LORD, I give my life to you.
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Show me the right path, O LORD.
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O LORD.

The LORD is good and does what is right.
He shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

For the honor of your name, O LORD,
forgive my many, many sins.
Who are those who fear the LORD?
He will show them the path they should choose.
They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the land.
The LORD is a friend to those who fear him.
He teaches them his covenant.
My eyes are always on the LORD,
for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.

Turn to me and have mercy,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
See how many enemies I have
and how viciously they hate me!
Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you” (Psalm 25:1-21).

I wrote the words to this song long before the American women’s lib movement of the 1970s.  There is no slight intended of women’s important contributions to America.  Godly women were instrumental in the formation of the Christian movement during Jesus’ three-year ministry as recorded in the Bible, just as a Christian woman’s contributions are important in America today.

It just so happens that the words to my song honor the common man in America. If someone wants to write the words to a song honoring the common woman in America, please have at it!

The words to this song are intended to honor the everyday common blue-collar men in the history of our nation, not the white-collar power brokers, not the rich, not the politicians, not the presidents of this and that – in other words, not the famous and important men you read about in the usual American academic history books.

Without the common men and women, we would not have all the good things we have in America today.  As so often happens, the common people do all the hard, dirty work and heavy lifting of building something, and then the rich and powerful seem to swoop in to take all the credit after the common people (like many of our American ancestors) blazed the trails and laid the foundations of this country we call the United States of America.

The Bible says, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

“Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

“A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor” (Proverbs 29:23).

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:16).

But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

The Bible makes a strong case that God favors the humble, lowly, common people over the exalted, prideful people.

That is why I wrote the following words to this song, in order to honor the common man.

THE LIFE OF A COMMON MAN

By Dale V. Nobbman

Oh, it’s a hard life, but it’s a good life
The life of a common man
Yes, it’s a hard life, but it’s a good life
The life of a common man

A common man has to get up with the sun
He has to labor all day to get his work done
The sweat on his brow and the dirt on his hands
Is the price he pays; his existence demands

You won’t read his name in the front-page news
He won’t make history or the book of Who’s Who
He’s just a hardworking man doing the best he can
To make a good life ‘cause he’s a God-fearing man

He will work and pray his whole life long
His back may grow weak, but his faith remains strong
It was men of this kind who built the USA
It is still the common man who keeps it going today

Oh, it’s a hard life, but it’s a good life
The life of a common man
Yes, it’s a hard life, but it’s a good life
The life of a common man