Our friend Mike Laxton of the Kingdom Builder Podcast recently sat down with Ethan David—better known as Psalms of David (NRT Music)—for a powerful conversation centered on faith, healing, and his journey into music.
Psalms of David is the creative moniker of Ethan David, a bold new voice in Christian music whose artistry blends raw storytelling, emotional honesty, and spiritual depth. Through transparent lyrics shaped by his personal testimony of brokenness and redemption, he creates music that resonates deeply with listeners navigating their own struggles.
Since signing with NRT Music, Psalms of David has been steadily gaining attention for his fearless, faith-driven approach. His recent singles, “He Loves You” and “Conviction,” have further established his voice, leading up to the release of his album, Heart Surgery Vol. 1.
Ethan, can you tell us a little bit about your journey into music and how Psalms of David began?
It’s funny—I grew up hating music. My mom would tell me that as a baby, I sang all the time, but somewhere along the way, I just lost interest. I poured myself into martial arts instead. I wanted to learn every fighting style I could, because I didn’t want anyone to be able to take me down. That became my obsession, and in my mind, music wasn’t “masculine.”
On top of that, I was always a lyricist at heart, and the music I was exposed to didn’t connect with me. When I heard pop songs about shallow things or rap songs that glorified negativity, it felt empty. So I developed a distaste for music altogether.
But at 13, everything changed. I was suicidal and told God, “If You really love me, You need to tell me, because I’m done.” In that moment, I heard Him say, “I love you.” I felt His embrace, and it completely shifted my perspective. From then on, I knew—even in the middle of hardship—that He loved me. That truth became the anchor I’ve held onto ever since.
By 15, I found myself secretly listening to worship music—songs like “Reckless Love” by Christian artist Cory Asbury. I didn’t want anyone to know I liked music, but deep down, I was drawn to it. One night during worship in the backseat of my grandfather’s car, I told God, “I’ll do whatever You want me to do—even music.” And right then, I heard Him say, “I want you to write.” That was the beginning of the Psalms of David.
You’ve shared openly about difficult parts of your past. How has that shaped your music?
When I was 18, someone I trusted took advantage of me. He presented himself as a mentor who wanted to help me use my musical gifts to spread the gospel around the world. Instead, it became a situation of trafficking and abuse. It was traumatic, and there were many moments where I didn’t know if I would survive.
Out of that season, I wrote songs like “Don’t Let Me Drown,” which was my desperate cry for help. My debut single, “He Loves You,” came later, and it’s more of a declaration—the message I wish I had heard in those darkest moments. It’s rooted in that encounter I had with God at 13, when He told me He loved me. That memory kept me alive when everything in my life was screaming otherwise.
Now, when I share my story through music, I meet so many people who’ve experienced abuse, addiction, or trauma. They tell me they finally feel seen and understood. My pain became the seed for ministry, and my music is a way to let people know: you are not alone, and God has not abandoned you.
How would you describe your sound?
That’s always a tough question, because my sound doesn’t fit neatly into one box. I usually call it Christian alternative—that’s the simplest way to explain it. I don’t want listeners expecting polished CCM or Sunday morning worship sets. My songs are more cinematic, emotional, and raw.
For example, “He Loves You” has this cinematic pop feel. Other songs lean into folk rock, while emerging tracks dive into heavier alternative rock. Some of the new music on my album blends genres altogether. The common thread is that each song is written to capture emotion and tell a story—whether that’s my story or a character’s. I don’t make music for background noise. My songs are meant to stop you, to make you feel, and to remind you that God meets us in the middle of our brokenness.
Who inspires you musically?
I draw inspiration from all over the spectrum. Lyrically, I admire Christian artist Benjamin William Hastings—he has such a unique vocabulary and a way of expressing deep truths. Christian alternative group Gable Price and Friends bring an edge that I really love. Hip-hop artist NF inspires me with his raw honesty—his song “Happy” is one of my favorites because it’s so ironically real.
I also listen to Christian artists and bands like Stephen Stanley, Twenty One Pilots, and Brandon Lake. That’s a wide range—from alternative rock to hip-hop to modern worship—but I think that mix reflects my own sound. I’m less concerned with fitting a genre and more interested in whether a song captures the right emotion.
What role do you believe Christian music should play today?
Honestly, I think Christian music is at a crossroads. A lot of the industry has become afraid to be real. Too often, songs are designed to be safe, radio-friendly, and appeal to a certain audience—what I sometimes call the “Christian soccer mom” filter. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if that’s all we create, we’re missing the people who are hurting the most.
I want to write Christian music with no filter. That means I’ll talk about abuse, addiction, trauma—things the church doesn’t always know how to talk about. But I’ll also bring it back to Jesus, because He’s the one who redeems it all.
If the world can listen to songs about drugs, sex, and despair without batting an eye, why can’t people hear bold songs about hope, redemption, and the reality of faith? My dream is that my music resonates with people who feel like outsiders—those who think God couldn’t possibly love them. I want my songs to say, “He does. He always has.”
What’s your larger mission as Psalms of David?
At its core, my mission is to sit with the people Jesus sat with. The overlooked. The hurting. The ones the world avoids. I’ve walked through so much pain, and I believe God allows us to minister best in the areas where we’ve been wounded.
I want my music to do three things.
First, provide a place for people to come home—to feel safe, seen, and understood. Second, help listeners process their pain and encounter Jesus in the middle of it. Third, create moments of worship that remind us God is still good, even when life isn’t easy.
Life with Jesus doesn’t erase suffering. In fact, He promised we’d face trials. But He also promised life, healing, and transformation. That’s what I want people to experience through my music—a hope that is raw, honest, and real.
What’s next for you?
The first half of my debut album Heart Surgery—eight tracks—dropped in October. It’s really a full album, and it sets the tone for everything I want to do moving forward. I’m also dreaming of collaborations and features with other artists, but I can’t share details yet. What I can say is that this is just the start.
Finally, what encouragement would you leave for someone struggling to feel loved or seen?
The most important thing I can say is this: He loves you. I know that might sound simple, but it’s life-changing. It’s what pulled me out of trafficking. It’s what sustained me when I was running on two hours of sleep, surrounded by chaos. It’s the truth that has carried me every single day.
Whatever you’re going through, it’s real, and it’s hard. But Jesus sees you. He hasn’t forgotten you. If you’ll trust Him—even if that means letting go of how you think things should look—He will carry you through. And when He does, you’ll come out stronger, more alive, and able to help others through their pain.
That’s my promise, and it’s God’s promise too. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn for good.
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