Introducing original song “Psalm 51”
I have written this song long time ago. The recording is quite old, and the singing voice is young, so little embarrassing (LOL). But out of all the songs I wrote, this song is most sung by many Japanese Christians in their churches. I think one of the main reasons is Taka Nagasawa, a awesome worship leader who is well known among Japanese churches and my friend used this song on the CD “Towa Uta (Eternal Song)” produced by Growing Up ministry. I think it is the result of God touching many people through this song.
I wrote this song when I was feeling desperate and depressed, wondering how sinful I was. Psalm 51 was written when David was revealed his sin by the prophet Nathan. (II Samuel 11-12) David, the king of Israel, in order to steal the wife of his loyal subordinate, Bathsheba, ordered his subordinate to be killed in battle, and later took the widowed Bathsheba and manipulated it so that no one would know. Despite his perfect crime, God exposed his sin through prophet Nathan and he was at the place most vulnerable, no room for excuse and in total surrender. David could have turn against Nathan and kill him. I’m sure it was terrifying for the prophet Nathan to reveal this sin as well.
Then David said to Nathen, “I have sinned against the Lord.” II Samuel 12:13
David’s response was surprising when he was pointed out by Nathan. He acknowledges that the word is from God and apologizes what he has done. David's state of mind is detailed in his Psalm 51, where he prays to God to cleanse his sinful heart.
Since this song was written from this passage and due to my personal state, it was a slow song at the early stage of composing with a mood of repentance seeking the forgiveness for the sinner like myself. However, strangely enough, when I approached the chorus part, the melody and tempo resonate my heart was full of joy, and I remember feeling that it was a mismatch with the content of the lyrics.
“Cleanse my heart white as snow Lord, and restore unto me the joy of salvation.”
Anyone would find this prayer too presumptuous when considering David's sin. However, I believe that God's deep grace and mercy poured out upon David, who confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord," and this psalm filled David's heart.
The Bible tells us that everyone is a sinner before God. And we either deny it or admit it by humbling ourselves before God. In Psalm 32, it is written when David denied his sin and remained silent, his bones were worn out and he groaned all day long. (Psalm 32:3-4) Those who do not humble themselves before God and receive no grace live in such a world. On the other hand, when we admit and confess our sins and rely on God's grace, God gives us joy even in the midst of pain, regret, or guilt, and He will cleanse us of our sins with the blood of the cross of Jesus Christ.
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:8-9
I feel God had teach me about His deep grace and mercy through the process of composing this song and my initial plan of this song was greatly changed. This song is singing about the joy Christian receives in God’s grace and mercy. I believe that God uses this song all over Japan because he wants to overflow his grace and joy into the hearts of Japanese Christians.
I pray that joy of salvation will explode with this song.