Meditating on Scripture* can be inspiring. Further, writing music or creating an artwork that springs out of such meditative reflection can be extremely rewarding. There is the subjective kind of creativity, which is my interpretation of the events of my world. Then there is the objective kind of creativity, which is the way things ought to be interpreted. Where do we stand when we make our everyday choices?

In my experience, the most significant breakthrough creative experience is with the Creator God’s help trying to understand the inspired Scriptures and then, again with the Creator God’s help, learning to apply the insights in one’s daily life.

Breakthrough creativity happens when we counter or contest the established patterns of the world we live in with the countercultural claims and sometimes alarming logic of truth in Scripture.

I’ve been reflecting on Psalm 23 for the last few days and it occurred to me that in reality, I do not really know what it means to actually be a shepherd. King David, who wrote the psalm, wrote these words from his very own personal experience. He at one point in life was indeed a shepherd. When King David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd” he was referring to the personal name, “Lord,” of the God of Israel, Yahweh: “One who possesses and exercises power and authority and to whom respect is thus ascribed” (Eerdmans Bible Dictionary). But he expressed his understanding of the nature of the God of Israel through his unique experience of what it meant to be a shepherd.

I can try and understand the meaning of “shepherd” in the biblical context through a study of what the term may have meant to people in those times, socially, culturally, or even politically. However, all said and done, it’s mostly “head” knowledge; it’s not an understanding that arises out of my personal experience of being a shepherd.

I could try and relate to the idea of “shepherd,” which most of us might do, and find it extremely encouraging and satisfying. However, what would it look like if we were to paraphrase Psalm 23 in terms of our personal experience of God? For me, as a musician and composer? It’s hard initially, but as I keep at it prayerfully, I feel as if I am making a breakthrough of sorts…or perhaps more significantly, the Scripture is breaking through to me.

The following emerging and evolving reflection is a result of my personal meditation on “The Lord Is My Composer” based upon Psalm 23, verses 1-3:

1 The Lord is my Composer; I shall never lack an inspired melody.

2 The Creator of all things immerses me in a world of unparalleled beauty and sonic awareness;

The Lord guides my imagination, my thought world, whereby all danger and discord are seamlessly woven into the symphony of life-sounds that echo the posture and rhythm of holy rest in-between revelation and response.

3 Every note I hear or melody I bring forth rings with a sense of brand-newness, such as never heard before. My body comes alive; my spirit is invigorated; this will last for forever.

In fact, there’s no such thing as a “creative block” with this Creator God; each note and cluster of creative colours and sounds is a result of a tested and tried way, like a spring of water with a never-ending source: ultimately true forever because of God’s enduring nature and purpose, and yet uniquely varied and relevant to me and my role in the Creator God’s overall and ongoing engagement in the world.

if you were to paraphrase (come up with your personal version of) psalm 23, what would it look like?

I’d love to hear your version! Please do share.

Here’s the Message paraphrase for your information/ convenience:

Psalm 23 The Message (MSG)

A David Psalm

23 ^1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.

⁴ Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.

⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.

⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson

*By “Scripture” I am referring to the traditional Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.

Remembering some good times at The Makers Series, Virigina, 2017.