Stanton Lanier / Sky Whisper Sound, LLC

Scripture inspired piano to refresh your spirit

Forgiven (Psalm 32)

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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)

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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.

Once Upon a Time (Psalm 90)

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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 90 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 final track had to be epic. Once Upon a Time is another way of saying from “Everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 90:2, NIV). The introduction with solo trumpet, alto choir and orchestra strings beckons us to set our hearts on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). God’s Eternal Beauty is so lavish and immeasurable the closing track features full orchestra, brass, strings, choirs, and huge percussion with multiple big drums.

This composition is thematic, meaning the music is expressing the emotions of Psalm 90 with its melodies, instead of the music being lyrical and actually singing words like on some of the earlier tracks. Following the introduction, the first theme symbolizes our life on earth, trusting God’s strength and guidance even though we are weak and prone to wander. The answering theme conveys God’s provision and leading with the plans and purposes for us that He has known since before we born, and which He carries out as we depend on Him (Jeremiah 1:5 and 29:11). These themes get bigger and bigger as the song progresses, along with growing percussion layers symbolizing God’s heartbeat and rhythms He sets before us to keep in step. The song ends slowly with less instruments as the volume fades, with the drums fading and slowing into a heartbeat like rhythm. God’s heartbeat and ours can beat as one until our last breath. The trumpet of heaven from the introduction appears again at the end representing God’s omnipresence and omnipotence. He is everywhere at the same time—we constantly encounter Him if we take notice—and His power is absolute, unlimited, and supreme.

The vast instrumentation is rich with symbolism. The vibraphone joining the piano represents an element of fantasy once again, similar to its use in Marvelous Love. Each of us is living out a real life “once upon a time” story here on earth. God’s Word promises eternal life through faith in Jesus, which transports our story into eternity with God forever and ever. The French horn, alto choir and trumpet pronounce God’s presence forever and always. The symphony strings—violins, violas, celli, and basses—with featured violin and cello, illustrate how our life on earth is interwoven with God’s heart for us. As we live by faith, our delights and desires can align with His delights and desires for us (Psalm 37:4). The big drums—bass, toms, and timpani—are a more literal demonstration of God’s bigness, power, and rhythm through His Divine providence (His protective and spiritual care for us).

These thoughts and inspirations barely scratch the surface of the immensity, significance, and magnitude of God’s Once Upon a Time. God, Yahweh, tells Moses His name is, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), and Jesus uses the same phrase in John 8:58 when He says, “before Abraham was born, I am!” He is from everlasting to everlasting.

If you have made it this far on the journey with me reading these twelve song stories, I hope you have a greater realization and appreciation that God is for you and with you always. He sees you, knows you, loves you, and forgives you fully through Christ and the Holy Spirit. He has faithfully demonstrated to me that He and His Word are absolutely true as I continue to encounter His presence and surrender to His pursuit of me. God keeps chasing me in spite of my fears (Isaiah 41;10), anxious thoughts (Philippians 4:6-8), and imperfections (2 Corinthians 12:9)—“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In closing, I would love to pray Numbers 6:24-26 over your life and faith story: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How does Once Upon a Time speak to you?

Psalm 90 (MSG)—ONCE UPON A TIME

1-2 God, it seems you’ve been our home forever; long before the mountains were born, Long before you brought earth itself to birth, from once upon a time to kingdom come—you are God.

3-11 So don’t return us to mud, saying, “Back to where you came from!” Patience! You’ve got all the time in the world—whether a thousand years or a day, it’s all the same to you. Are we no more to you than a wispy dream, no more than a blade of grass that springs up gloriously with the rising sun and is cut down without a second thought? Your anger is far and away too much for us; we’re at the end of our rope. You keep track of all our sins; every misdeed since we were children is entered in your books. All we can remember is that frown on your face. Is that all we’re ever going to get? We live for seventy years or so (with luck we might make it to eighty), and what do we have to show for it? Trouble. Toil and trouble and a marker in the graveyard. Who can make sense of such rage, such anger against the very ones who fear you?

12-17 Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! Come back, God—how long do we have to wait?—and treat your servants with kindness for a change. Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we’ll skip and dance all the day long. Make up for the bad times with some good times; we’ve seen enough evil to last a lifetime. Let your servants see what you’re best at—the ways you rule and bless your children. And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!

Singing in the Ocean Deeps

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You can listen to Singing in the Ocean Deeps from the new album Open Spaces at stantonlanier.com, iTunes, Amazon MP3 and many other outlets. I can remember visiting Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as a young boy growing up in North Carolina. There were no condos or tall buildings on the beach. It was just sand and camp grounds. That was my first time to hear the ocean waves. The sights and sounds of beach and ocean invited me into their wonder and adventure through the whispers of gentle breeze. Then we moved to the Florida panhandle just before my eleventh birthday, and I was introduced to another new world — the Gulf of Mexico, with the finest white sands, sea oats swaying, and gorgeous shades of blue and green waters, sending smaller waves on shore than the Atlantic. Little did I know that Psalm 8, which entered my life about twenty years ago (and happened to be twenty years after those boyhood memories), would tie together the wonder and mystery of the ocean with a piano melody expressing the marvelous ocean deeps, with its whales symbolized by French horn (my new friend Richard “Gus” Sebring, Principal French Horn for the Boston Pops Orchestra joins me on the recording, as piano and horn dance like oceans and whales). Psalm 8 (NIV) opens “Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.” Then, a little ways down, in the words of The Message Bible…”You put us in charge of your handcrafted world, repeated to us your Genesis-charge, Made us lords of sheep and cattle, even animals out in the wild, Birds flying and fish swimming, whales singing in the ocean deeps. God, brilliant Lord, your name echoes around the world.” What is your favorite ocean animal which symbolizes peace, rest, and beauty to you? Think about this as you view this new music video. Enjoy!

Pure Fountain

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Throughout January I was composing and recording seven new songs for the 2013 album Open Spaces, coming in August-September. This kept me from sharing new blog posts with the written word, but now I am back and will be posting throughout 2013.

Things don’t usually happen this fast, but in a matter of hours over the past week, a new Valentine love song, Pure Fountain, was inspired by Song of Solomon, Chapter 4. These piano meditations express the poetic words of the Lover to the Beloved, and birthed a new MP3 single and music video to share for Valentine’s 2013. You can listen to a 60-second sample here and also enjoy listening and viewing the brand new music video below. I hope you enjoy!

 

 

Podcast #3: The Quest

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I am excited to finally share Episode #3 of the Pianist of Peace Podcast. To receive the greatest benefit, take 10 minutes to pause and listen without interruption. There are three elements to help you experience peace and rest, inspiration and creativity in your life today:

Part 1 – A short, personal life story to inspire your journey.
Part 2 – A full-length melody to help you pause and reflect on a specific aspect of your life.
Part 3 – A few questions to encourage and challenge you to live a better story.

[buzzsprout episode=’64812′ player=’true’]

Stanton Lanier The Quest Live in Concert

The Quest, Live in Concert with Tracy Silverman on Violin