“Meditation (Psalm 19)” (2004)
This is a song I wrote in January and February of 2004. The lead sheet is still in progress.
I completed an acoustic pop arrangement of this song for four instruments in October 2006 (Acrobat Reader required):
Listen to a live performance (
hi-fi or lo-fi) of the arrangement from a service at our church in 2006.
You’re always welcome to contact me with comments or questions.
About the song
This is a meditation on one of the more famous psalms of David. The psalm sings of the two means by which God reveals himself to humankind: the marvels of creation (what theologians call general revelation) and the marvels of his written Word, the Bible (special revelation).
Trivia item: the twin themes of the song are represented in the piano part by two notes—the tonic and the dominant, E and B above middle C—that are played in every beat of the entire song over six distinct chords (not including inversions).
| 1. |
When I look at the stars, |
(v. 1) |
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They tell me of your glory— |
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Your signature across the sky |
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In a luminous embroidery. |
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Day by day creation speaks to me, |
(v. 2) | |
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Night after night it teaches me. |
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| Refrain: |
And the law of the Lord, it is perfect and sure. |
(v. 7) |
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It instructs and revives my soul. |
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His precepts are right, his commandment is pure. |
(v. 8) | |
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Though I taste and I see he’s good, |
(cf. 34:8) | |
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His Word’s not “good as gold”; |
(v. 10) | |
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It is better, better than much fine gold. |
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| 2. |
I consider the sun: |
(vv. 4–6) |
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It races like a champion, |
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It shouts your name to all the world |
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In a blaze of jubilation. |
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Day by day creation speaks to me, |
(v. 2) | |
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Night after night it teaches me. (refrain) |
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| Bridge: |
May my words and my meditation |
(cf. v. 14; Mt 7:24f.) |
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Magnify your works and your Word of revelation. |
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My rock is the Word of the Lord |
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And my redeemer the Lord of the Word! |
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| Coda: |
And I look at the stars |
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And they tell me of your glory. |
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