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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Nocturnes of Peace, Psalmic Infuser (Instrumental), Psalmic Infuser, Live On, Postcards, Sounds of Freedom, Streams for the Desert Journey, and INFUSION.
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Verse
Give thanks to the Lord,
for he is good; his love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord
for his righteousness,
I’ll sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.
Chorus
The Lord is my strength and my song,
He’s my Savior and my God
He has given me victory and I will praise Him
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him,
There is joy in my heart and I burst out in songs of praise to him.
Bridge
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Scripture Reference:
Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV), Ps 7:17 (NIV)
Chorus: Psalm 118:14 (NLT), v28:7 (NIV, NLT)
Bridge: Psalm 95:1-3 (ESV)
All throughout the Bible, we see people of God burst out in songs for all kinds of occasions including song of Red Sea splitting and crossing (Exo 15:1-18, 21), song of wells in the wilderness (Nu 21:17-18), songs of sorrow, joy, praise, mourning, love, thanksgiving. In fact many biblical character has a song, just to name a few: Song of Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Baruk, David, Asaph, love songs of Solomon.
A song is a testimony that captures one’s particular part of the journey in life, more importantly it commemorate the faithfulness and the works of God as well as declaring who He is.
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2. |
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Verse 1
Adonai is King, he’s robed in majesty and strength.
The seas have lifted up their voices;
Stronger than the roar of the ocean,
Greater than the breakers of the sea,
the Lord on high is mighty.
Verse 2
Adonai is King, He made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.
he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life.
Chorus
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!
O Lord my God, how great you are
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
I declare of your wonderful works.
Bridge
Adonai, Our God, How majestic is your name in all the earth
Adonai, Our God I will sing to you Lord all my life x2
Verse 3
Adonai is King, How many are your works.
In wisdom you made them all;
all creatures look to you, Lord
You send your Spirit,
they are created
May the glory of the Lord endure forever
Bridge 2
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory everything in the heavens and earth is yours.
Yours, is the kingdom, you’re exalted as head over all.
Praise the Lord
Scripture Reference:
Verse 1 Ps 93:1-4 (CJB, NIV); Verse 2: Ps 93: 19, 32-33 (NIV); Verse 3: Ps 104: 24, 27, 30 (NIV)
Chorus: Ps 8:1, Ps 145:5
Bridge 1: Ps 8:9, Ps 93:33; Bridge 2: 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)
Scientists have estimated there are approximated 2 trillion galaxies, 7.7 billion human, 8.7 million animal species, 390k types of plants, 7 official count of epic natural wonders plus the equally epic but uncountable unofficial ones scattered around our planet earth. Imagine seeing the Himalayas, the Aurora, the Milky Ways, the Grand Canyon right in front of you for the very first time, one cannot help but gasp or utter sound of awe or attempting to find the closest verbal expression to describe our amazement and the remarkable wonder and majesty of creation.
Creation surely has a great artist and creator behind them all, crafting, moulding and transforming the natural beauty all around us. Some of us perhaps are natural admirer that can’t stop starring at the moonlight on the street; some might even be a super fan of the artist who would daily hunt down a light-pollution free location to chase after the dancing Aurora under the -30 Celsius freezing cold sky; some might appreciate a bit of weird scientific knowledge that act as artist statement such as “every human has an individualized tongue print as well as fingerprint that identify you as the unique you.”; some might simply find comfort in knowing that the great artist and creator counts and knows how many hairs we have (Luke 12:7).
When we started to pause, ponder and appreciate our surroundings, beginning to see things from the right perspectives and angle, and most importantly know who the creator is behind all this beauty will it starts to transform us from the inside out, head to toe completely. Suddenly we realize how tiny and fragile we are, yet the Lord of the universe is mindful of us. Our Creator who is the great artist who is worthy to be admired, praised and worshipped.
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3. |
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Verse
I lift up my eyes up to the mountains,
where does my help come from?
My help comes from Adonai,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Bridge
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
When you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Pre-chorus
The Lord watches over you,
He’s your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm,
he will watch over your life,
watch over your coming and going,
both now and forevermore.
Chorus
You are my hiding place;
Protecting me from trouble.
You are my shied and strength,
Surrounding me with songs of deliverance.
Scripture Reference:
Verse: Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
Bridge: Isaiah 43: 2 (NIV)
Pre-chorus: Psalm 121: 5-8 (NIV)
Chorus: Psalm 32:7 (NIV)
There’s a song for every occasion, and here’s a traveler’s song, aka a psalm of ascent as it is believed to be sung by pilgrims as they venture on a trip towards the hilly Jerusalem. Regardless whether you’re a backpacker, a couchsurfer, a bushwhacker, a hotel roamer, a vacationist, a globetrotter, a driver, a city communter or just a normal pedestrian, going from point A to point B always require going through different terrains, scenarios, situations, detours & shortcuts, potential dangers & accidents, unexpected slips & falls, bumps & bruises. As much as we think we can outsmart nature and people, we are certainly not in full control. Troubles sometimes is only 0.1 cm/second/meter/gram/step away and we don’t even realize it until we felt our heartbeat and adrenaline suddenly racing to the rooftop and have a fresh insight. Perhaps most of the time we even take it for granted that we’re still alive and breathing at a particular moment.
Just as the hills and mountains are a form of natural protection to the city of Jerusalem, the mighty God who is an invisibly invincible travel buddy to the psalmist and to us. A God who oversees and steer us away from the hidden crevasses in life, who provides bread-butter-water, the life-saving shelter in whatever journey we’re embarking on in life.
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Verse
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Brass Sections
Praise Adonai in His sanctuary,
Praise Adonai in His mighty heavens,
Praise Him with the sounding of the horns;
Harp and Lyre, Tambourine
Praise Adonai for His mighty acts,
Praise Adonai with the harp and lyre,
Praise him with tambourine and dancing;
Strings and Flute & Cymbals
Praise Adonai in his excellent greatness,
Praise Adonai with the strings and flute,
Praise Him with clashing cymbals;
Chorus
Shout joyfully to the Lord,
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, all the earth.
Break forth and sing for joy
Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises, and sing praises.
Shout joyfully before the King, the Lord.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, all the earth.
Hallelujah!
Outro
Praise Adonai in His sanctuary.
Praise Adonai in His mighty heavens.
Praise Him for His mighty work;
praise Him for His excellent greatness.
Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord!
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 150
Musician loves this Psalm, it gives clue to what kind of instruments used for worship and often depending on our culture we perceive what instruments and musical style the psalm might be presenting. The westernized world would probably hear this psalm as an orchestra with the typical violin, cello, flute, harp etc. Whereas the Chinese might hear this psalm as a Chinese orchestra with Erhu, Guzheng, Dizi, Suona. The Mexican, the Indian, the many cultures around the world would hear differently too.
This arrangement attempts to present a world fusion style with various ethnic instruments and musical style around the world to capture the essence of worship: let everything that has breath and everything that can make noise praise the Lord!
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5. |
Green Desert (Psalm 23)
04:49
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Verse 1
The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
leads me beside quiet waters,
He Refreshes my soul.
Verse 2
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Chorus
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
For you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You refresh my Soul.
Bridge 1
Adonai restores my soul
Adonai renews my life
Bridge 2
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Outro
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 23: 1 (NCV)
Psalm 23: 2-6 (NIV)
Psalm 23 is one of the famous psalm beloved by many, for many years when I read this psalm, the imagery of fluffy sheep lazily chilling out on an abundant endless ever-green pasture decorated with epic waterfalls and mirror lakes often appeared, this imagery possibly being reinforced by the many westernized poster, gifts and pictures with the verse written on them. Finally, one day when I set foot in Israel and the Judean desert, that’s when the fantasy totally shattered.
The Judean desert was the actual backdrop of this psalm: a wilderness filled with undulating hills and valleys, a barren risky desert landscape, grass are scarce and scattered, the sheep constantly need to look to the shepherd for the next bite and following him in the right path as the steep slopes, rugged hills and wolves present potential dangers every step of the way.
This is not a psalm of what we want to have (aka our fantasies), nor a psalm about what we don't have (the lack of water, food, safety in the Judean desert), it is a psalm of what we would have if we follow the great shepherd who knows our every needs, a psalm of pure reliance, dependence and trust that He would provide just enough, precisely when we need it. All we need to do is to trust and follow.
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6. |
Knit & Weave (Psalm 139)
04:48
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Verse 1
You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit, when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
you watch over my steps and my rest
aware with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
Verse 2
Nothing about me is hidden from you,
I was secretly woven together in the depths of the earth.
You saw me before I was born,
the days ordained for me
All written in your book
before one of them came to be.
Verse 3
Search me, oh God, and know my heart;
test me try me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out any offensive way in me,
lead me in the way everlasting.
Bridge 1
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Bridge 2
Where can I go from your spirit?
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Chorus
For it was you created my inmost being;
knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 139
Verse 1: v1-4, Verse 2: v15-16 (CEV), Verse 3: v23-24 (NLT+NIV)
Bridge 1: v7-8, Bridge 2: v9-10
Chorus: v13-14
This song well qualifies as a love song, a poetic description of a loving relationship regardless of time, space, locations and situations. Who says love song always have to be between a couple in a romantic relationship?
The psalmist is finding comfort in what modern psychologist called “a secured base”, a sensitive and responsive attachment figure who meet a child’s emotional, physical and mental needs. Within this secured parent figure attachment, the child freely explores, play, risk, feel, interact and experience the world with confidence.
We do have a Father in heaven who created us, knows us intimately in every aspect, guides and protects us so we can boldly venture into this journey of life without fear.
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7. |
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Verse 1
Living in the Most High's shelter, camping in the Almighty's shade,
Adonai, is My refuge! My fortress! My God, in whom I trust!"
For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you.
Verse 2
Cover you with his feathers, under his wings you’ll find refuge;
His truth will be your shield and armour.
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
Pre-chorus
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,
Under his wings you’ll find refuge.
Chorus 1
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
If you make the Most High your dwelling,
No harm will overtake you,
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
If you make the Most High your dwelling,
No disaster will come near your tent.
Chorus 2
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
He’ll put his angels in charge of you. protect you in all your ways.
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
The Angels lift you up in their hands,
you will not strike your foot against a stone.
Ending
The Lord says: “If you love me, I will rescue you,
I will protect you because you know my name.
When you call on me, I’ll answer. I’ll be with you in trouble,
“If you love me, I will rescue you,
I’ll protect you because you know my name.
With long life I will satisfy you and show you my salvation.”
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 91
Verse 1: v1-3 (CEB, CJB, NLT); Verse 2: 4-6 (GW, ESV)
Pre-chorus: v7-8 (NIV)
Chorus 1: v9-10 (NIV), Chorus 2: v11-12 (GW, NIV)
Ending: v14-16 (CJB, NIV)
In the midst of stormy chaos in any shapes and forms, especially when you’re on a journey in the wild, nothing beats the comfort and a promise of a solid shelter. It is human nature to build shelters to protect ourselves from potential danger, to store up supplies as a safety net, to invest on things that create immediate or long term comforts, to buy things that can futureproof, diasterproof, (put-a-noun-here)proof. But do those things we build and gather by ourselves really work?
The psalmist had his answer where to find his almighty shades to camp under and the ultimate refuge to hold onto when things get rough, quite an oxymoron considering this strong refuge is actually invisible. This is exactly what faith is “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” (NASB Hebrews 11:1)
In times we face disasters and calamity head on, we need to remember that we might not be shielded in the forms and ways limited to our understanding and our human mind might not immediately understand His ways. Yet remember that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT Romans 8:28)
We have an Almighty God who can move mountains, call or cease the storm, start and stop the sun & moon, parting of seas & oceans, gives and takes away breathes, heal and restore sickness & disease. Our almighty shade actually gives us the Almighty Warranty or ‘Worldproof’ if you choose to believe in Him.
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Esther Wong Hong Kong
Registered music therapist, multi-instrumentalist and a composer based in Hong Kong. Inspired by music around the world and all her travelling experiences, her style of music blends the modern with the traditional. She believes the power of music to inspire, empower and transform an individual. ... more
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