This My Soul: A Musical Devotional

I’m not sure how I came across this song, but I’ve been listening to it a lot lately. I share it here as a kind of devotional set to music. The lyrics carry within them a lot of biblical imagery, which has led me to reflect and meditate on a whole bunch of different things. The plan is to share some of those things in the upcoming weeks. But for now, take a listen:

The song is a sustained reflection on Romans 5:12-19:

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Flowing out from this passage, the lyrics echo a plethora of other biblical themes. Here are some other passages I hear the song roping into its orbit:

• Genesis 1-3
• John 1:1-3
• Romans 5:12-19
• 1 Corinthians 2:6-10
• 1 Corinthians 15:45-57
• Galatians 3:10-14
• Ephesians 1:3-14
• 1 Peter 1:3-9
• Revelation 22:1-5

As I said this song can be used as a musical devotional of sorts — something that can help us to engage with and reflect on Scripture. I’ll share some of my own reflections in subsequent posts.