Michael W. Smith - Ashton Lyrics
Lyrics
Instrumental
No Lyrics
Video
Ashton
Meaning & Inspiration
Michael W. Smith’s “Ashton,” released in 1988 on his album *I 2 (Eye)*, presents a unique opportunity for reflection as a purely instrumental piece. Without the direct guidance of lyrics, the music itself becomes the vessel for meaning, inviting listeners to engage their hearts and minds in a personal exploration of its essence. The title, "Ashton," offers a potential anchor, perhaps referencing a person, a place, or a concept that the composer sought to capture through sound. In the absence of explicit words, the power of such a piece lies in its ability to evoke specific feelings and spiritual connections, much like a well-crafted prayer or a moment of quiet contemplation before the Lord. The instrumental nature of "Ashton" allows it to serve as a sonic backdrop for personal devotion, mirroring the way Scripture often provides profound truths that resonate differently within each believer's soul. For instance, the stirring passages in the Psalms, like Psalm 46:10, which commands us to "Be still, and know that I am God," find an echo in the quiet intensity that an instrumental piece can foster. Similarly, the meditative quality that "Ashton" might inspire aligns with the practice of seeking God’s presence, as described in Matthew 6:6: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." The song’s deliberate choice to forgo lyrical content directs our attention inward, encouraging a listening that goes beyond the auditory and touches the spirit. This absence of words can be seen as an invitation to imbue the music with our own spiritual understanding, to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate the themes it evokes, much as the unwritten spaces in our faith journey are often where God’s transformative work occurs. The depth of God’s wisdom, as expressed in Romans 11:33, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" finds a parallel in the rich, unarticulated tapestry of sound that Michael W. Smith has woven, inviting us to explore its depths with open hearts and expectant spirits.