Written in the Stars (Psalm 19)

November 20, 2025 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

As we take this cinematic journey through Psalms together, I encourage you to listen to the album and each song on your favorite music streaming service first, for pure enjoyment and also to see how God may speak to you through the music. If you want to go deeper Psalm 19 is down below. You can also read and reflect on the spiritual and musical inspirations behind each song while you listen or in silence as a quiet devotional. Wishing you God’s grace and peace, Stanton

After opening the album with two powerful “God is big” tracks, the third song could have been big as well. Psalm 19:1 says, “God’s splendor is…written in the stars.” God created the universe, the earth and everything in it, the planets, and all the galaxies and stars. Our heavenly Father is magnificent, impressively beautiful and extravagant. He speaks through His creation, the skies (Psalm 19:1-6,) and His Word, the Scriptures (Psalm 19:7-14).

As I was musically sketching and recording ideas for this piece, what came to mind was the idea that God doesn’t need to clinch His fist or grit His teeth to be strong. He didn’t need to “try harder” in creating everything we see in the heavens above and the earth below. He is such a big and powerful God, I wanted to compose music expressing the ease with which He demonstrates His incomprehensible, immeasurable strength. The melodies became like a soundtrack for a master painter making brush strokes to create a marvelous work of art.

As you listen to Written in the Stars I pray the music offers God’s peace and rest to your soul. His sustaining strength and calming gentleness gave me hope as I was writing the notes. The soothing piano, symphony strings, and solos on French horn, English horn, and cello all work together to symbolize the effortless beauty and wonder of God’s creativity. They also represent the comforting assurance of His strength and presence.

The second half of the Psalm is worthy of attention and deep reflection as well. Even though musical ideas did not stem from these words, they are ever present behind the melodies. God’s Word is perfect, reviving the soul (verse 7). The “seen” in the first half and the “unseen” in the second half of Psalm 19 make me grateful to God for His faithfulness. He continually fulfills His promises as I walk by faith.

C.S. Lewis said, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither.” He described heaven as a place far beyond human imagination, a place where earthly joys are faint echoes of the true, glorious reality. He emphasized that heaven is not an ethereal existence but the renewal of creation and our resurrected, perfected selves, filled with unimaginable joy, beauty, learning, and love. For Lewis, the longing for something more than earth can provide is proof that heaven is our true home. God’s splendor is a tale that is told, written in the stars.

How does Written in the Stars speak to you?

Psalm 19 (Passion) — WRITTEN IN THE STARS

God’s Story in the Skies

1 God’s splendor is a tale that is told, written in the stars. Space itself speaks his story through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship. 2 Each day gushes out its message to the next, night by night whispering its knowledge to all — 3 without a sound, without a word, without a voice being heard, 4 yet all the world can hear its echo. Everywhere its message goes out. What a heavenly home God has set for the sun, shining in the super dome of the sky! 5 See how he leaves his celestial chamber each morning, radiant as a bridegroom ready for his wedding, like a day-breaking champion eager to run his course. 6 He rises on one horizon, completing his circuit on the other, warming lives and lands with his heat.

God’s Story in the Scriptures

7 Yahweh’s Word is perfect in every way; how it revives our souls! Yahweh’s laws lead us to truth, and his ways change the simple into wise. 8 Yahweh’s teachings are right and make us joyful; his precepts are so pure! Yahweh’s commands challenge us to keep close to his heart! The revelation-light of his Word makes my spirit shine radiant. Yahweh’s decrees are trustworthy. The fear of Yahweh is pure, enduring forever. 10 The rarest treasures of life are found in his truth. That’s why God’s Word is prized like others prize the finest gold. Sweeter also than honey are his living words—sweet word dripping from the honeycomb! 11 For they warn us, your servants, and keep us from following the wicked way, giving a lifetime guarantee: great success to every obedient soul! 12 How would I discern the waywardness of my heart? Lord, forgive my hidden flaws whenever you find them. 13 Keep cleansing me, God, and keep me from my secret, selfish sins; may they never rule over me! For only then will I be free from fault and remain innocent of rebellion. 14 So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, Yahweh, my only Redeemer, my Protector.

Eternal Beauty (Psalm 103)

November 20, 2025 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

As we take this cinematic journey through Psalms together, I encourage you to listen to the album and each song on your favorite music streaming service first, for pure enjoyment and also to see how God may speak to you through the music. If you want to go deeper Psalm 103 is down below. You can also read and reflect on the spiritual and musical inspirations behind each song while you listen or in silence as a quiet devotional. Wishing you God’s grace and peace, Stanton

The album’s title track was a humble attempt to convey God’s eternal beauty. How is this possible? Psalm 103 features the words, “O my soul, bless God. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. God is sheer mercy and grace. He is rich in love. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love to those who fear Him. God’s love is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear Him. So bless God. Oh my soul, bless God.”

The composing process kept bringing to mind God’s holiness. The words “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory” appear in Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 72:19, and Revelation 4:8. The music embodies deep emotion and gratitude for God’s eternal beauty and holiness washing over my temporary brokenness and imperfection. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13) “For in the Son all our sins are cancelled and we have the release of redemption through his very blood.” (Colossians 1:14) “And now there is nothing between you and Father God, for He sees you as holy, flawless, and restored.” (Colossians 1:22)

When the song was almost complete I began searching for a counter melody that would sing over the main theme. The very first time I played the violin notes which are introduced at the 3:17 mark, the Holy Spirit gave me chills. I was just hoping to find a few more notes and sounds to add another layer expressing God’s eternal beauty. How is this possible? Father, give us glimpses of Your eternal beauty as we walk with You on our very brief earthly sojourn. Thank You for your love, grace, forgiveness and beauty. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

P.S. I share about the Eternal Beauty album cover art in the story about track 9, Marvelous Love.

How does Eternal Beauty speak to you?

Psalm 103 (MSG) — ETERNAL BEAUTY

1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing! 3-5 He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

6-18 God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we’re made of mud. Men and women don’t live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. God’s love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said.

19-22 God has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He’s the King! So bless God, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says. Bless God, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills. Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—everything and everyone made by God. And you, O my soul, bless God!

Immersed in Light (Psalm 139)

November 20, 2025 By Stanton Lanier Leave a Comment

As we take this cinematic journey through Psalms together, I encourage you to listen to the album and each song on your favorite music streaming service first, for pure enjoyment and also to see how God may speak to you through the music. If you want to go deeper Psalm 139 is down below. You can also read and reflect on the spiritual and musical inspirations behind each song while you listen or in silence as a quiet devotional. Wishing you God’s grace and peace, Stanton

How can we have a sense that we are immersed in God’s Light in such a broken and often dark world? Psalm 139 speaks to this, and the music is filled with light, rippling, sparkling, glimmering, shining, and rising to stir my heart toward God. Below are the key verses from Psalm 139 that jumped off the page as I was reading it over and over.

“God…I’m an open book to you; you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence…You’re always there, your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful—I can’t take it all in! At night I’m immersed in the light ! It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with You…guide me on the road to eternal life.” (MSG)

There are no words to fully describe, explain, or comprehend God’s Light. Just as we receive salvation as a gift when we believe by faith, for me God’s Light is something to receive as well. I cannot go after it or chase it down. He loves and pursues us first, and we receive and respond with love. (1 John 4:19) I encourage you to read Psalm 139 from one or more Bible versions as you listen to Immersed in Light.

His Light is with us on life’s journey, and it is represented musically throughout this song’s journey. You will hear different instruments “shine” as they have their moment. The airy flute symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Choirs are like angels. The rippling piano is reflecting light. At the very end, the trumpet and French horn announce Jesus’ presence—the Light of the World (John 8:12). He has been there the whole time. He loves us, He knows us, and He is always there.

How does Immersed in Light speak to you?

Psalm 139 (MSG) — IMMERSED IN LIGHT

1-6 God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too—your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful—I can’t take it all in!

7-12 Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, You’d find me in a minute—you’re already there waiting! Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I’m immersed in the light !” It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.

13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

17-22 Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I’ll never comprehend them! I couldn’t even begin to count them—any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! And you murderers—out of here!—all the men and women who belittle you, God, infatuated with cheap god-imitations. See how I hate those who hate you, God, see how I loathe all this godless arrogance; I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred. Your enemies are my enemies!

23-24 Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—then guide me on the road to eternal life.