Today is release day for Joy Singing Joy. This is my first composition for a full choir, and you can stream everywhere. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, all other outlets, or click below. As you listen, scroll down and read the inspiration behind this song.
Living from a deep sense of joy in my heart has been a long process for me. As you may have read or heard already, joy is a significant part of my redemptive story, since I spent many years taking life too seriously. My journey led to the release of four songs with “joy” in the title — Joyful on my second album Still Waters, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring on my sixth album December Peace, Vive La Joye on my seventh album A Thousand Years, and Joy to the World on my twelfth album December Peace II. At age thirty I surrendered my career to God, and my joy slowly began to increase as I studied Scripture and listened for God’s voice. At age thirty-five I wrote my first instrumental song, and at age forty I became a full-time pianist and composer.
The more I keep receiving God’s love, grace, and joy, the more I am able to give these to others. This song and its title were born from this idea of receiving, giving, and repeating this process in our lives. God’s “Joy Singing” brings me joy, and my “Joy Singing” brings Him joy. My life and other lives are blessed in the process. Some days God’s “Joy Singing” helps me find some joy to make it through. Some days my “Joy Singing” overflows into people’s lives, rooted in a deep sense of gratitude to God. Even though I am imperfect and inconsistent, God’s character is constant. His love, grace, and joy are always there for me, and for you. When the revelation for this song happened, I realized the word JOY could form a cross as a symbol of Jesus’s love for me, and the joy in receiving His forgiveness of my sin forever.
Joy Singing Joy was a new musical challenge because in my previous songs featuring choir, the voices support the piano or blend with the orchestra. This time a full choir would be the lead instrument, with sopranos and tenors singing the melody, and altos and basses adding harmony. Since the word “singing” was at the center of the title, I wanted the choir to be front and center, with a string orchestra underneath. I was also inspired to give some shining moments to instruments which require breath. A solo trumpet accents the main melody, and flutes and trombones add rhythmic harmony as the song builds. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6, NIV).
Wherever you are in your “journey with joy” in this life on earth, I pray Joy Singing Joy will inspire and encourage you to pursue God more deeply if you know Him, and to investigate Jesus more deeply if you are being drawn toward Him. These gifts of love, grace, and forgiveness offer an eternal joy and peace which transcend all understanding (see Philippians 4:6-8).
How does “Joy Singing Joy” speak to you?
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV)
“Worship the Lord with joy. Enter his presence with joyful singing.” – Psalm 100:2 (NET)
“I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart. I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God.” – Psalm 9:1-2 (MSG)
“They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.” – Psalm 126:5 (AMP)
“I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.” – Habakkuk 3:18 (MSG)
Linda L Morris says
Beautiful Stanton! It reminded me of the angels that are singing constantly to His glory in heaven. 🙂
Stanton Lanier says
Thank you Linda, I’m so glad you are enjoying this new song. God’s blessings to you! – Stanton
Charlie McRoberts says
Beautiful and very inspirational! Thank you for sharing with us, Stanton!
Stanton Lanier says
You are welcome Charlie! I’m so glad this new song brought you some moments of beauty and inspiration. God bless you! – Stanton
Wendy Bryant says
Very inspiring! I enjoy the voices being the “lead instrument” … without any words. The same sense of peace I receive from your instrumental music fills my heart. Thank you for your Spirit-led “work.” Blessings!
Stanton Lanier says
Thank you Wendy, I’m so glad you are enjoying the the choir voices in this new piece. Wishing you God’s grace, peace, and joy! – Stanton