Review: Labryinth, by David Baloche

When The Path Has No Choice

The typical differences between a labyrinth and a maze are choices and dead ends. Mazes include path choices and the possibility of hitting a dead end. A labyrinth is more purposeful and singular – no dead ends, just leading towards a center.

In 2017, David Baloche released Labyrinth, an album of songs with lyrics solely pulled from Scriptures. If I could, I would make this album a must-listen for you, the reader. No mazes here, no other paths, no dead ends. Just follow this album and go on the journey with it.

Track Highlights

“He Hears My Voice” is an appropriate album starter and it comes from Psalm 55:16-17. The beautiful, hope-giving words of Scripture ring out: “I will call to God and the Lord will rescue me. Morning, noon, and night I cry out, cry out. I will call to God and the Lord will rescue me. I cry out in my distress and He hears my voice.” Strings and piano rise with the words and we have a wonderful way to open up an album.

“The Peace Of God” is a well-constructed meditation on three different verses: Philippians 4:7, Proverbs 3:5 and 6. Beyond the piano, this track showcases some of the creative sounds and textures Baloche employs. And honestly, the whole album is FULL of a variety of instrumentation and “vibes,” if you will. 

Best Of The Best

In “Green Pastures,” Baloche takes the concept of spiritual meditation and focuses it even tighter. You might expect a song from Psalm 23 to include the whole chapter. There are songs that have taken this approach and work well. 

However, Baloche tightens the lens and only verse 2-4 are considered here. The percussion and piano on this song are outstanding. “Even though I walk through darkest valley, I will fear no evil. For You are with me, Lord, Your rod and staff they comfort me.” That is worth thinking on.

“As A Father Carries His Son” wins the award for Scripture I would NOT have guessed to make an album. And yet, its one of the best of the album. The Scripture, from Deuteronomy 1, is calling to mind the fatherly love of God to His people in the Old Testament. I’ve heard so many songs based on Scripture and I can confidently say, this is the first one I’ve seen from a more obscure text like this. Baloche masterfully crafts a blend of piano, strings, and other lush textures to bring a calming reminder of the tender love of God, our Father who is in Heaven.

“Lead Me To The Rock” is my favorite. Coming straight from Psalm 61:1-4, this song instantly impacted me. In my Spotify library, I have a playlist called “God Songs At Night.” Songs in that playlist are ones that are written to remind me in the dark what I knew to be true in the light. In times of discouragement, when I need truth to hold, this is the playlist and the idea for it came to me from Psalm 42 when David speaks of “His song will be with me in the night.”

This song from Baloche is the perfect example of this type of song. “When my heart is overwhelmed, Lead me to the Rock, Lead me to the Rock, Lead me to the Rock that is higher.” When I don’t have the right words to pray, Scripture is sufficient and this song embodies it so well.

One Way Out And In

David’s father is Paul Baloche, a well-known worship leader/writer in his own right. Paul is also an executive producer for this album and he says: “In an anxious and busy world, ‘Labyrinth’ is a powerful way to experience God’s Word while filling our hearts and minds with His peace through verbatim Scripture set to ambient music…allowing us to soak in God’s Word.”

The world around you has countless “remedies” available when you are anxious or worried or filled with a heavy heart. I would tell you, those are mostly a maze. Sure, a path or two might work, but there are plenty of dead-ends.

Time in the presence of God and in His Word are the greatest helps. Maybe the pursuit of it feels like a winding pathway but follow it to the center. Seek Him. Read His Word. Sit quietly. Wait on Him.

And this album is one of the best ways to begin. I would give it my highest recommendation possible.

Have you listened to Labyrinth? Favorite tracks?

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