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 22 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

There is a reason Ends of the Earth opens with a hint of sadness, featuring a clarinet solo. Psalm 22 begins with, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These were Jesus’ words on the cross. Verse 2 says, “My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.” I have felt this way before, haven’t you? Life on earth has constant tension, ups and downs, victories and struggles, desert moments and sanctuary moments. This element of sadness is also referenced in the middle of the song from 2:04 to 3:01. There is still hope even when God is sometimes silent.

The Psalm moves in a more hopeful direction as it continues. “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you.” (Verse 9) “But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength.” (Verse 19) The main theme answers the introduction with confidence and beauty in the first half, and even more in the second half to the ending. The piano plays the identical theme over and over, and various orchestra instruments and sections join in along the way. The musical build up is gradual in the first half and the hope filled main theme grows bigger and bolder in the second half. This mirrors the emotional journey in Psalm 22. Later in the Psalm we read, “those who seek the Lord will praise Him—may your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him.” (Verses 26-27) “They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!” (Verse 31)

In response to the midpoint sadness, the symphony gets bigger and bolder in the back half of the song as the orchestra goes all in expressing that God is our ultimate hope and strength. Timpani drum joins the 9/8 meter emphasized by the fast strings, which were introduced earlier in the piece. The timpani is a tuned percussion drum, so all of its hits are in tune with the symphony. In my composing, percussion always reminds me of God’s heart beat and His pace in leading me as I long to stay in step with Him. Similar to the timpani, I want to be in tune with—attuned to—God’s plans and purposes. Being in harmony with my heavenly Father is another spiritual layer represented in the music.

God’s bigness and my smallness is also reflected in the opening and ending of the piece. The piano begins gently, and plays the exact same main theme notes throughout the piece. It is always there in the background, even when the full symphony and timpani are playing. By the end everything is stripped away except for the solo piano. In this song, as in others, the piano represents my frailty and weakness a part from God. The symphony symbolizes Him singing over my life with a hope and strength that overshadows everything else. God sees me, knows me, and loves me. He sees you, knows you, and loves you too, to the ends of the earth.

How does Ends of the Earth speak to you?

Psalm 22 (NIV) — ENDS OF THE EARTH

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. 4 In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” 9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. 15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. 17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. 19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. 22 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him—may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—those who cannot keep themselves alive. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!