Click above to listen to track #7 Lush Meadows from the new album So Loved as you read. You can enjoy the CD, MP3 Album, Piano Book and Sheet Music on the So Loved Album Page. You can stream the music on Spotify, iTunes-Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Pandora, and more.
What is a favorite “lush meadow” moment for you? What was the scene like?
As I composed Lush Meadows my heart was to write music that would take us to a beautiful meadow. I wanted to feel a sense of lying back and looking up at the clouds, of resting and relaxing in the moment, and of trusting God in all areas of life. This song was inspired by the 23rd Psalm and the peace and assurance expressed in David’s words, as well as Psalm 51 and David’s brokenness before God. Here is some of the story behind the soundtrack and how it happened…
David was called a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He wrote half of the Psalms (75 of 150), defeated the giant Goliath as boy, killed a lion and bear when he was a shepherd tending his sheep, and was the second king of Israel. However, he was also sinful, afraid, and often cried out to God in distress. The tension within his character has helped me have a much deeper understanding of God’s grace and forgiveness toward us, as well as His love and power working through us. With all this in mind, the music encompasses the friction between the wonder and beauty of the Holy Spirit working in our lives (the lush meadows from Psalm 23), and our sin and brokenness before God (within this beauty the piano sings the words “Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on me” throughout the song).
Musically, the piano is underscored by an atmosphere of deep peace to represent a lush meadow. The French horn symbolizes a shepherd’s horn. The harp is a tribute to David playing the harp and lyre as recorded in the Psalms. Listen to the song again, and allow God to sing His grace, forgiveness, and beauty over you.
How does Lush Meadows and its inspiration speak into your story today?
LUSH MEADOWS | DAVID
Psalm 23 and 51. “God, my shepherd, I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows. Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love.”
Hi Stanton,
It’s interesting how everyone pictures Psalm 23 differently in their minds. You may see a “lush” or “plush” meadow. I see a more golf course-like turf grass next to still waters. The scene just seems much more serene to me, rather than a bed of overgrown grass! Perhaps, it was the way the story was conveyed to me through Sunday School images and crafts growing up!
Here’s the best Google image I could find that reflects the scene in Psalm 23 in my mind: http://visionsofhisword.blogspot.com/2013/08/psalm-23-beside-still-waters.html
But it’s funny how everyone envisions things differently. It reminds me of when I played piano for my roommate. I would feel like I would be imagining a scene while playing a song, and she, being an artist, would have a whole other image in her mind. I think that’s what happens when we read Scripture too! And I think that’s totally OK and biblical! 🙂
I agree that Psalm 23 is awesome. My favorite verse in the Psalm is when David talks about “You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.” I love that God fills our cup to overflowing! He is abundantly gracious and generous, and we can take heart in that!
David was a great man and he deserves the title, “A man after God’s own heart.” We can all aspire to his passionate love of the LORD and emotional expressiveness!
Btw, I think “Lush Meadows” may have been the song that my dad and I were listening to while we were driving down the two lane road covered with trees. It was an enchanting scene for us! 🙂
Take care,
Sam
Such a beautifully calming song. I see an open field and Jesus waiting on me to just run into His open arms and cast all my cares on Him. In Him is truly rest because He is the Prince of Peace.
Dear Sheea, thank you for your beautiful words. I am so grateful that “Lush Meadows” and its inspiration from Psalm 23 are a blessing to you. Wishing you God’s grace and peace. – Stanton