Merweville, Karoo, Western Cape
Merweville, Karoo, Western Cape
“U Hou My Koers op die Grondpad (Ps 37)” is a road song for people who are tired of the world’s rush, but still have a destination. It’s for anyone on a long route — not only on Karoo gravel roads, but inside the heart: decisions, waiting seasons, financial pressure, family responsibilities, and that quiet prayer: “Lord, just show me the course.”
The image is simple: an old gravel road under dust. Headlights flash past in clouds of noise and speed. But the loudest pressure isn’t only vehicles — it’s modern life: screens, headlines, adverts, success stories, and a culture that shouts, “Look how fast we’re getting ahead!” The song looks through all of that and says something honest: those tracks blow away. A lot of the “high road” becomes dust in the wind.
Psalm 37 is the backbone of this story. It teaches you not to let envy or anxiety steer you when it seems like the proud or the wicked are racing ahead. It calls you to trust the Lord, do good, dwell, wait, and let God set things right in His time. It’s not a quick promise of instant success — it’s a promise of direction, character, and steady justice.
That’s why the gravel road becomes a metaphor for God’s way: quieter, slower, but stronger. It’s the road where you can breathe again — where you look up at wide Karoo skies and remember your life does not belong to the world’s pace. The song also stays honest: “I’ve chased shortcuts too.” But every time I hit a pothole in my own plans, God brings me back — not with shame, but with peace — back to the old gravel road where I can breathe in His hand.
ISRC Number: QZMEQ2685984
Lyrics & story: Dirk Koen • Vocal: AI-assisted instrument • Production: Dirk Koen
Psalm 37:3–7, 23–24
Psalm 37 teaches me to stay calm when others seem to “win fast” and injustice looks like it’s running ahead. God calls me to trust Him, do good, and find my joy in Him — because He establishes the steps of the one who loves Him (Ps 37:23). And even if I stumble, I won’t fall flat, because the Lord holds my hand (Ps 37:24). This song is that confession: it’s not the highway’s speed that keeps me safe — it’s God’s hand that keeps my course steady on the gravel road.
Verse 1 (Afrikaans)
Die ou getrapte grondpad lê stil onder die stof
Kopligte flits verby in stofwolke, gerem en geraas
Hulle skree op skerms en in koerante: “Kyk hoe vinnig kom ons bo”
Maar hul spore waai in die wind weg – net U hou my voete op die grondpad so
Chorus (Afrikaans)
So hou my op die grondpad, Here, in U tyd
Waar U lig die roete merk, al lyk die wêreld wyd
Ek sien hul rykdom, hoor hul lag, maar U fluister sag vir my
Bly op My pad, My kind, Ek hou jou koers – jy is nie agter nie, jy’s net veilig naby My
Verse 2 (Afrikaans)
Ek het ook al kortpaaie gejaag, jaloers na ander se glans
Advertensies en beloftes laat my hart onrustig dans
Maar elke keer as ek vasry in ’n slaggat van my plan
Bring U my terug na die stil ou grondpad waar ek weer kan asemhaal in U hand
Chorus (Afrikaans – variation)
So hou my op die grondpad, Here, in U tyd
Waar U stem my hart kom stilmaak en my onrus stadig stryk
Al lyk dit soms asof die kwaad se paaie gladder loop as myne
Vertrou ek dat U reg sal maak – elke spoor sal eendag voor U skyn
Verse 3 (English)
On this long and dusty back road, under Karoo skies so wide
I can see the flashing highways where the proud and restless ride
But here my wheels roll slower and my breathing starts to ease
Cause in Your quiet, steady footsteps, I can feel my heart at peace
Chorus (English)
So keep me on this old gravel road, Lord, in Your time
Let my pace be set by mercy, not by fear or frantic mind
The wicked may rush past me, but their tracks blow out like sand
While You hold my wheel, my heart, my days inside Your faithful hand
Bridge (English)
When I get restless ’bout the evil running free
You say, “Don’t worry ’bout the wicked—My hope is all you need
Their grass dries up so quickly, but You plant trees by Your stream
I’d rather grow up slow in mercy than burn out chasing this world’s dream
Final Chorus (Afrikaans close)
So hou my op die grondpad, Here, in U tyd
Waar U vrede in my bors kom lê, al is die land onrustig wyd
Let me walk Your gravel road, laat my stap op U Karoo spoor
Grondpad genade onder my voete – tot ek by U huis instap en rus vind voor U troon, my God