Now for something different: an album that might not be for everyone, as it is mainly “ambient music.” But if background music with great content is your cup of tea, then I hope you love this music as much as I do. David Baloche’s 2017 album “Labyrinth” is all scripture, and it is aimed at troubled minds and souls who need the reminder of God’s word to comfort them. Videos are posted below for quick experience of the music, but I urge you to listen long enough to hear the words, usually a minute into each song.
I don’t know a ton about David Baloche – as he doesn’t have a very large musical corpus online, and he is not overtly connected to other musicians I follow. I do know he is the son of famous worship leader singer/songwriter Paul Baloche. Also, I know that the album cover is cool. I mean, look at it! I also know that if you need music in the background that fills your mind with the grace of God’s word – this is a good place to start. I have enjoyed this album for a couple of years and come back to it regularly.
I am posting here the links to YouTube videos for each song, and the text of the songs. I am benefiting from the annotation work done and presented in the following videos:
He Hears My Voice
(Psalm 55:16-17 NLT)
But I will call on God,
and the Lord will rescue me.
17 Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the Lord hears my voice.
Nothing Can Separate
(Romans 8:38 NLT)
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Come To Me
(Matt 11:28, Prov 3:24 NIV)
Matt 11.28 NIV
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Prov 3.24 NIV
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Green Pastures
Ps 23.2-4
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Those Who Hope
(Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Lead Me To The Rock
(Psalm 61:1-2 NIV, 2,4 NLT)
1 (NIV) Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
2 (NIV) From the ends of the earth I call to you,
…
2 (NLT) when my heart is overwhelmed.
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
4 (NLT) Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings!
Groanings too deep for words
(Romans 8:26 ESV)
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
As a Father Carries His Son
(Deut 1:31 NIV)
There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.
The Peace of God
(Phil 4:7 ESV, Prov 3:5 NIV, Prov 3:6 ESV, NLT)
Phil 4.7 ESV
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Prov 3.5 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
Prov 3.6 ESV
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
My Help Comes From the Lord
(Isa 41:10 & Psalm 121:1-2 NIV)
Is 41.10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
Ps 121.1-2
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
