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 19 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
After opening the album with two powerful “God is big” tracks, the third song could have been big as well. Psalm 19:1 says, “God’s splendor is…written in the stars.” God created the universe, the earth and everything in it, the planets, and all the galaxies and stars. Our heavenly Father is magnificent, impressively beautiful and extravagant. He speaks through His creation, the skies (Psalm 19:1-6,) and His Word, the Scriptures (Psalm 19:7-14).
As I was musically sketching and recording ideas for this piece, what came to mind was the idea that God doesn’t need to clinch His fist or grit His teeth to be strong. He didn’t need to “try harder” in creating everything we see in the heavens above and the earth below. He is such a big and powerful God, I wanted to compose music expressing the ease with which He demonstrates His incomprehensible, immeasurable strength. The melodies became like a soundtrack for a master painter making brush strokes to create a marvelous work of art.
As you listen to Written in the Stars I pray the music offers God’s peace and rest to your soul. His sustaining strength and calming gentleness gave me hope as I was writing the notes. The soothing piano, symphony strings, and solos on French horn, English horn, and cello all work together to symbolize the effortless beauty and wonder of God’s creativity. They also represent the comforting assurance of His strength and presence.
The second half of the Psalm is worthy of attention and deep reflection as well. Even though musical ideas did not stem from these words, they are ever present behind the melodies. God’s Word is perfect, reviving the soul (verse 7). The “seen” in the first half and the “unseen” in the second half of Psalm 19 make me grateful to God for His faithfulness. He continually fulfills His promises as I walk by faith.
C.S. Lewis said, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither.” He described heaven as a place far beyond human imagination, a place where earthly joys are faint echoes of the true, glorious reality. He emphasized that heaven is not an ethereal existence but the renewal of creation and our resurrected, perfected selves, filled with unimaginable joy, beauty, learning, and love. For Lewis, the longing for something more than earth can provide is proof that heaven is our true home. God’s splendor is a tale that is told, written in the stars.
How does Written in the Stars speak to you?
Psalm 19 (Passion) — WRITTEN IN THE STARS
God’s Story in the Skies
1 God’s splendor is a tale that is told, written in the stars. Space itself speaks his story through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship. 2 Each day gushes out its message to the next, night by night whispering its knowledge to all — 3 without a sound, without a word, without a voice being heard, 4 yet all the world can hear its echo. Everywhere its message goes out. What a heavenly home God has set for the sun, shining in the super dome of the sky! 5 See how he leaves his celestial chamber each morning, radiant as a bridegroom ready for his wedding, like a day-breaking champion eager to run his course. 6 He rises on one horizon, completing his circuit on the other, warming lives and lands with his heat.
God’s Story in the Scriptures
7 Yahweh’s Word is perfect in every way; how it revives our souls! Yahweh’s laws lead us to truth, and his ways change the simple into wise. 8 Yahweh’s teachings are right and make us joyful; his precepts are so pure! Yahweh’s commands challenge us to keep close to his heart! The revelation-light of his Word makes my spirit shine radiant. Yahweh’s decrees are trustworthy. The fear of Yahweh is pure, enduring forever. 10 The rarest treasures of life are found in his truth. That’s why God’s Word is prized like others prize the finest gold. Sweeter also than honey are his living words—sweet word dripping from the honeycomb! 11 For they warn us, your servants, and keep us from following the wicked way, giving a lifetime guarantee: great success to every obedient soul! 12 How would I discern the waywardness of my heart? Lord, forgive my hidden flaws whenever you find them. 13 Keep cleansing me, God, and keep me from my secret, selfish sins; may they never rule over me! For only then will I be free from fault and remain innocent of rebellion. 14 So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, Yahweh, my only Redeemer, my Protector.