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!