THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC
After the Lord had rejected Saul as king, His Spirit departed from Saul. And Saul became troubled, going through great bouts of distress. His servants suggested that a musician be found that could play for Saul and calm his nerves. So David, who was skillful on the harp, was brought to Saul. And Saul loved him. For whenever David played, Saul was refreshed.
The reason for Saul’s distress seems to be both spiritual and physical. Without considering its causes, Saul was apparently displaying a kind of disabling melancholy, affecting his mind, body and emotions. Yet, when David, who was not only a skilled musician, but a man anointed by the Holy Spirit, played, Saul was both refreshed and made well.
The 19th-century Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen, wrote “Where words fail, music speaks.” Saul certainly found this to be true. And so did the apostle Paul. For Paul taught that letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, we should “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts” (Col. 3:16).
Modern medicine has discovered this powerful link between music and healing. Music therapy has proven to boost our immune system, lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels, help decrease depression, lower pain levels, help with certain neurological conditions by reactivating speech centers of the brain, and even improve the memory of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
I still remember visiting my grandmother in the nursing home. She couldn’t remember my name and had nearly lost the ability to speak. But the minute my mother and I would start singing an old hymn, she would join in with us, remembering every word. What healing power the Lord has given us in the gift of music!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for the healing power of music. All good gifts are from You. We therefore give You thanks. When we are in distress, help us to sing hymns and spiritual songs, drawing on the peace of Christ. And when we are too weak to sing, You will “rejoice over us with singing” (Zeph. 3:17). In Jesus’ name, amen.