Stanton Lanier / Sky Whisper Sound, LLC

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Marvelous Love (Psalm 107)

By 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 107 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 verse “So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves” is repeated four times in The Message Bible paraphrase of Psalm 107. The opening verse reads, “Oh, thank God—he’s so good to us! His love never runs out.” The final verse says, “If you are really wise, you’ll think this over—it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.”

Beginning with the very first instrumental song I wrote twenty-five years ago—Grace and Truth (John 1:14)—every composition has been like a love song from God, even though they have different titles and were inspired by different Bible verses. I wanted Marvelous Love to be huge because God’s love is so extravagant and without limits. It became like a tribute of thanks to Jesus for loving me so much, and for being in my life since I was a young boy (He knew me before I was born, Jeremiah 1:5). I wanted the music to be filled with the incredible sense of wonder and awe rising up in my heart. With a spirit of child-like faith this song is giving thanks and appreciation to God for His astonishing, marvelous love.

Musically this piece is rich with carefully chosen instruments, meter, and tempo. The opening with vibraphone and choir touches on the fantasy realm of God’s wondrous, mysterious love. The meter is 7/8, a less typical beat with a 1-2, 1-2, 1-2-3 pattern that has a fairly fast tempo. Yet, the main theme is singing a long, slower love melody over the top of this rhythm. The secondary theme is in 6/8 time expressing the four times repeated verse, “So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.” In musical works 7/8 and 6/8 meters are less used than 4/4 meter—common time—which is the most used, followed by 3/4. God’s marvelous love is most uncommon, unusual, unfathomable. Some might even say, “it’s too good to be true, that Jesus dying on the cross saves me from my sins and makes me right with God. It seems too simple.” But Jesus promises, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John14:6) A new 7/8 ending melody fades to a soft, final vibraphone note that sustains and rings true just like God’s marvelous love, which carries us forward.

“God has made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated” (Ecclesiastes 7:29) inspired my song Simplicity on my third album Draw Near in 2004. When I began composing Marvelous Love in 2025 my desire was for the music to be worthy of the title. The less common 7/8 meter represents our earthly life’s complications. Life is often perplexing, broken, sinful, and can be seemingly hopeless at times. But God is with us, offering us moments of His peace, hope, joy, and beauty, and singing His “plain and simple” eternal beauty over our “very complicated” lives. 

The Eternal Beauty cover image is a photo my wife and I took in a Scotland castle garden. It immediately reminded me how we see glimpses of God’s beauty and love on earth, but the ultimate, incomprehensible beauty and the full experience of His marvelous love for all eternity are behind the door—Jesus—the gate of Heaven (John 10:9). The Marvelous Love main theme with its long notes and beautiful melody is singing over our lives that God is good, merciful, and loving, always and forever.

How does Marvelous Love speak to you?

Psalm 107 (MSG)—MARVELOUS LOVE

1-3 Oh, thank God—he’s so good! His love never runs out.
All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression, Then rounded you up from all over the place, from the four winds, from the seven seas.

4-9 Some of you wandered for years in the desert, looking but not finding a good place to live, Half-starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion. Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God. He got you out in the nick of time; He put your feet on a wonderful road that took you straight to a good place to live. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. He poured great drafts of water down parched throats; the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.

10-16 Some of you were locked in a dark cell, cruelly confined behind bars, Punished for defying God’s Word, for turning your back on the High God’s counsel—A hard sentence, and your hearts so heavy, and not a soul in sight to help. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He led you out of your dark, dark cell, broke open the jail and led you out. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves; He shattered the heavy jailhouse doors, he snapped the prison bars like matchsticks!

17-22 Some of you were sick because you’d lived a bad life, your bodies feeling the effects of your sin; You couldn’t stand the sight of food, so miserable you thought you’d be better off dead. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves; Offer thanksgiving sacrifices, tell the world what he’s done—sing it out!

23-32 Some of you set sail in big ships; you put to sea to do business in faraway ports. Out at sea you saw God in action, saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean: With a word he called up the wind— an ocean storm, towering waves! You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out; your hearts were stuck in your throats. You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk, you didn’t know which end was up. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He quieted the wind down to a whisper, put a muzzle on all the big waves. And you were so glad when the storm died down, and he led you safely back to harbor. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. Lift high your praises when the people assemble, shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!

33-41 God turned rivers into wasteland, springs of water into sunbaked mud;
Luscious orchards became alkali flats because of the evil of the people who lived there. Then he changed wasteland into fresh pools of water, arid earth into springs of water, Brought in the hungry and settled them there; they moved in—what a great place to live! They sowed the fields, they planted vineyards, they reaped a bountiful harvest. He blessed them and they prospered greatly; their herds of cattle never decreased. But abuse and evil and trouble declined as he heaped scorn on princes and sent them away. He gave the poor a safe place to live, treated their clans like well-cared-for sheep.

42-43 Good people see this and are glad; bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks. If you are really wise, you’ll think this over—it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.

Forgiven (Psalm 32)

By 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 32 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

Forgiven only has two instruments, the piano and cello (the cello is my second favorite orchestra instrument after the French horn). I wanted to express a deep and personal intimacy with God our Father, and a piano cello duet was the perfect musical combination. There is something special about the strings, and the marvel of the cello originating in 16th century northern Italy as part of the violin family.

God’s forgiveness comes through His love, and the love of God means Jesus crucified on my behalf. “The only basis for which God can forgive me is the Cross of Christ. The miracle of redemption is that God turns me, the unholy one, into the standard of Himself, the Holy One” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest). Even though I put my faith in Jesus at age thirteen, I didn’t know all that I had received. God took me from death to life, not just from good to better, and not just to help me try to be a better person so He would accept me. Because of Christ, I am forgiven and given eternal life (John 3:16). This is the inclusive exclusivity of the Gospel. God’s forgiveness is ready and available to every single person on earth, and only through Christ our Lord, the Messiah and Savior of the world.

The musical conversation between the piano and cello takes us on a journey of intimacy with God, from seeking to finding Him, from receiving to knowing Him, from moments of sadness and uncertainty to a life filled with His peace, hope, and joy. The melodies in this composition move through three time signatures, perhaps an unintentional reference to the trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The first section in 4/4 symbolizes forgiveness flowing down from heaven as the piano “sings” verse 1, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” The piano is also singing “blessed is the one” as a reference back to Psalm 1 and track one on the album, Day and Night. The second section in 12/8 time is a joyful theme of thanks and gratitude to God for His forgiveness. “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad…” (verse 11). The third section in 6/8 time is a bridge connecting the flowing and joyful themes that are repeated in the second half of the piece. This bridge is reflecting on the powerful truths in verses 8 and 10, which have been very significant in my life, faith, and musical journey—“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you…the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.”

The piano and cello conversation grows richer and fuller as we experience the joyful theme for the second time. Then the opening, flowing theme returns to bring the song to a close. Even though this piece is a simple, intimate and beautiful duet, God revealed a powerful and compelling idea to me in this song story—that because Forgiven is focused on Christ’s death on the cross, in way it contains all eleven tracks on the album inside of it. All of these eleven titles, their inspirational Psalms, and God’s promises contained in them are founded on and point us toward Jesus’ forgiveness of our sin through His death on the cross, and His resurrection on the third day. Thank you Lord, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

How does Forgiven speak to you?

Psalm 32 (NIV) — FORGIVEN

1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. 6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

But for a Moment (Psalm 39)

By 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 39 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 introduction with heavenly choir and long orchestra notes signifies something powerful is about to be revealed. This song has a lyrical melody as the notes are singing the words, “but for a moment, pause in His presence” (verses 4 and 5). These two phrases happen to have the same number of syllables. The entire piece is built on this motif, worth repeating again. But for a moment. Pause in His presence. After the introduction the music speaks these phrases twice, then answers with a melody expressing faith and assurance when we fully pause in God’s presence.

The big idea is that my “being” comes before my “doing.” When I pause and commune with God, He reveals next steps for me to obey. The next step can be clear or He can give me a peace to move forward. Either way, I do not know exactly what will happen, and God is responsible for the results. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in (abide in) me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV) This verse inspired one of my earliest songs Abiding, which became a listener favorite on my first album Walk in the Light (2001). 

Psalm 39 by King David is noted as a cry for help, for the Pure and Shining One, a song of praising. Verses 4, 7, 11, and 13 stood out for me as I read and reflected on this Psalm many times during the composing process. “Lord, help me to know how fleeting my time on earth is. Help me to know how limited is my life and that I’m only here but for a moment more. And now, God, I’m left with one conclusion: my only hope is to hope in you alone! How fleeting and frail our lives! Don’t let me die without restoring joy and gladness to my soul.”

The original Hebrew word “Selah” is used in most Bible translations, and appears after verses 5 and 11. Scholars have interpreted this as a direction for a musical interlude, an instruction for singers to pause while instruments play louder, or as a call for the reader/listener to pause and reflect deeply on the profound truths just expressed (e.g., the brevity of human life). The words “pause in his presence” are a paraphrase for Selah, encouraging a moment of quiet contemplation and introspection in the presence of God. This aligns with the content of Psalm 39, which deals with my human frailty and how my true hope is in God alone. 

The “being”—the abiding—symbolized in the first section of But for a Moment begins to grow into the “doing” that bears much fruit because of God’s power. I can do nothing apart from Him. There is a soaring secondary melody from 2:25 to 3:20 which emphasizes the “power of the pause” so to speak. It is as though heaven begins to open up for a moment. It is glimpse of what C.S. Lewis describes as “further up and further in” in his Chronicles of Narnia. The layers of the piano and symphony which build and build in the second half are the “much fruit” being lived out in the now. God’s Kingdom fruit is eternal and beautiful, which by faith we will one day be able to understand more fully. This piece comes to an inspiring, yet abrupt end because our life on earth is fleeting, and will come to an end very soon. We are here but for a moment. 

How does But for a Moment speak to you?

Psalm 39 (Passion) —BUT FOR A MOMENT

A Cry for Help

For the Pure and Shining One. A song of praising by King David

1-2 Here’s my life motto, the truth I live by: I will guard my ways for all my days. I will speak only what is right, guarding what I speak. Like a watchman guards against an attack of the enemy, I’ll guard and muzzle my mouth when the wicked are around me. I will remain silent and will not grumble or speak out of my disappointment. But the longer I’m silent, the more my pain grows worse! 3-4 My heart burned with a fire within me, and my thoughts eventually boiled over until they finally came rolling out of my mouth: “Lord, help me to know how fleeting my time on earth is. Help me to know how limited is my life and that I’m only here but for a moment more. 5 What a brief time you’ve given me to live! Compared to you my lifetime is nothing at all! Nothing more than a puff of air—I’m gone so swiftly. So too are the grandest of men; they are nothing but a fleeting shadow!”

Pause in his presence (Selah)

6 We live our lives like those living in shadows. All our activities and energies are spent for things that pass away. We gather, we hoard, we cling to our things, only to leave them all behind for who knows who. 7 And now, God, I’m left with one conclusion: my only hope is to hope in you alone! 8 Save me from being overpowered by my sin; don’t make me a disgrace before the degenerate.

9 Lord, I’m left speechless and I have no excuse, so I’ll not complain any longer. Now I know you’re the one who is behind it all. 10 But I can’t take it much longer. Spare me these blows from your discipline-rod. For if you are against me, I will waste away to nothing. 11 No one endures when you rebuke and discipline us for our sins. Like a cobweb is swept away with a wave of the hand, you sweep away all that we once called dear. How fleeting and frail our lives! We’re nothing more than a puff of air.

Pause in his presence (Selah)

12 Lord, listen to all my tender cries. Read my every tear, like liquid words that plead for your help. I feel all alone at times, like a stranger to you, passing through this life just like all those before me. 13 Don’t let me die without restoring joy and gladness to my soul. May your frown over my failure become a smile over my success.