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This song by Spark & Echo band is in response to the theme of "Light and Darkness" from Psalm 139.

The first version of this song attempted to include all the beautiful imagery from the psalm, but it didn't seem to work. After playing with the music, Jonathon and I settled into a feel that reflected the theme of "running from"–music that evoked a journey.

Psalms 139

Where Can I Go?

By 

The Spark & Echo Band

Credits: 

Curated by: 

Spark+Echo Arts

2013

Image by Giorgio Trovato

Primary Scripture

Yahweh, you have searched me,
and you know me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.
You hem me in behind and before.
You laid your hand on me.
This knowledge is beyond me.
It’s lofty.
I can’t attain it.
Where could I go from your Spirit?
Or where could I flee from your presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, you are there.
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!
If I take the wings of the dawn,
and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there your hand will lead me,
and your right hand will hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me;
the light around me will be night”;
even the darkness doesn’t hide from you,
but the night shines as the day.
The darkness is like light to you.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to you,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
My soul knows that very well.
My frame wasn’t hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my body.
In your book they were all written,
the days that were ordained for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is their sum!
If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand.
When I wake up, I am still with you.
If only you, God, would kill the wicked.
Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
For they speak against you wickedly.
Your enemies take your name in vain.
Yahweh, don’t I hate those who hate you?
Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?
I hate them with perfect hatred.
They have become my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalms 139

This is the first song Jonathon and I have written together by collaborating throughout the process–tossing music and lyrics back and forth from start to finish–so the song took many forms before it arrived at what you hear it today. I was drawn to this psalm because it dealt with images of darkness and light, and because it is the story of someone who is running from God. In the psalm the writer speaks of trying to hide in darkness, but that it is impossible because “even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”


The first version of this song attempted to include all the beautiful imagery from the psalm, but it didn’t seem to work. After playing with the music, Jonathon and I settled into a feel that reflected the theme of “running from”–music that evoked a journey. From there I threw out most of the original lyric, and explored the themes from the feel of the music. Things began to fall into place.


This psalm is not just about a journey away from, but also a journey to discover. In the end the psalmist wishes to be caught.


-Emily Clare Zempel


Spark Notes

The Artist's Reflection

The Spark & Echo Band is a family outfit of songwriting-storytellers led by husband and wife duo Jonathon Roberts and Emily Clare Zempel. Their music brings forgotten poetry and wild stories from the Bible to life: visions of sparkling wheels in the sky, hunger and thirst, and legends of love as strong as death weave with memorable melodies and captivating rhythms. Drawing from a classical background, influenced by the pianism of Rufus Wainwright and Ben Folds, and emulating Paul Simon’s narratival techniques, Spark & Echo sings epic tales of love and adventure.


The duo has collaborated on three full lengths albums (Spark&Echo, Inheritance, Cities Project), one video album (In the Clocktower), in addition to many theatrical collaborations, this very nonprofit, and two children. They live in beautiful Beacon, New York, with all of the above.



The Spark & Echo Band

About the Artist

White Robe

What a Day

Deep Calls to Deep

Yo Sé

Do You Love Me?

How to Be Free

Flesh

Lifeblood

Artist in Residence 2015: Spark & Echo Band

Take to Heart

The Wheels

Frogs

Ruined

Inheritance

The Spark & Echo Band

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