Shane Heilman, the rising Christian singer-songwriter behind The Psalms Project, is making waves globally with his latest release, “Psalm 51 (Forgive Me),” from Volume 6: Psalms 47-55, released today!
Psalm 51 can be described as a desperate plea for forgiveness from the depths of the soul; theologically rich and deeply moving, it tells the story of David who committed adultery with Bathsheba and attempted to cover it up by having her husband killed in battle.
Hellman was hesitant to even try to write a song which captures all of Psalm 51 with music, due to it being such a shocking hymn.
“There’s a verse in Psalm 51 that’s easy to miss. I think it’s because most modern translations use an old term – “bloodguiltness” – that makes verse 14 harder to relate to. Here’s what David is saying in Psalm 51:14 in every day English:
“Forgive me for shedding blood, O God.”
This sounds even more shocking:
“Forgive me for committing murder.”
Gut-wrenching.
And, yet, Heilman wrote, recorded and composed Psalm 51 together with Grammy nominees Phil Keaggy and Jeff Dayo, and it could be one of their best songs to date!
Boasting an impressive following of over 45,000 YouTube subscribers, 40,000 Facebook followers, and 32,000 monthly Spotify streams, Heilman’s unique blend of contemporary melodies and timeless Psalms is captivating audiences worldwide.
His journey from the education sector to music ministry reflects a deep faith and unwavering dedication. What began as a humble church initiative has transformed into a celebrated force in worship music over the past 12 years. Collaborating with over 85 musicians, including Grammy nominees like Phil Keaggy and Jeff Deyo, Heilman’s approach treats each Psalm as a distinct narrative, earning widespread acclaim.
The release of Psalm 51 is a pre-curser to the forthcoming album entitled Volume 6: Psalms 47-55″ , which marks a significant milestone for The Psalms Project, introducing external producers and infusing a contemporary pop sensibility.
Standout tracks include the exuberant rock anthem “Psalm 47 (Shout to God),” the soul-stirring ballad “Psalm 51 (Cleanse Me From My Sin),” and the captivating alt-pop gem “Psalm 54 (Your Name Is Good).”
Setting all 150 Psalms to music is quite the endeavour, but Hellman says:
“I’ve loved the Psalms since becoming a believer – their honesty and stirring poetry really gave me a picture of what real relationship with God looks like.
When I got the idea to put them to music, I was praying and worshiping on a mission trip, and I became intrigued by the idea of telling the ENTIRE story of the ENTIRE Psalm with music, rather than just taking out snippets. Plus, I loved the idea of putting the pure Word to modern music with modern, powerful instrumentation.”
Beyond music, Heilman’s mission with The Psalms Project transcends to providing spiritual, emotional, and intellectual experiences through the power of Psalms.
His commitment to authenticity and integrity has established himself as a revered presence in worship music, offering comfort and reaffirmation of God’s love to a global audience.
Psalm 51 is out today on all music platforms worldwide.
To stay connected with The Psalms Project, visit:
Website: thepsalmsproject.com
Facebook: The Psalms Project
Spotify: The Psalms Project
