Scripture:
And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. – 1 Samuel 16:23

Observation:
Saul had been king for a while over Israel. His enemies the Philistines plagued him continually. He took matters into his hands and did things his way rather than as God had commanded. Thus, the Spirit of the LORD left him, and the LORD sent an evil spirit to trouble Saul at times. One of Saul’s advisers told him that a skillful musician could drive away the troubling spirit and relieve him of his stress. Saul asked where such a musician could be found, to which an adviser replied that David, son of Jesse, was a brilliant harpist. Thus, Saul had David brought to the palace to play on his harp and to drive away the troubling spirit whenever it tormented Saul.

Application:
In the year 1697, William Congreve, coined a phrase in the book, The Mourning Bride,

Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I’ve read, that things inanimate have mov’d, And, as with living Souls, have been inform’d, By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.

It is from this passage that we have our modern misquote that music has charms to sooth the savage beast. Congreve was on to something in his writing, but his concept was nothing new. King Saul’s adviser knew of this truth some 2,700 years prior! He knew it well enough to recommend that David, a skilled harpist, could play such melodic, soothing music that it would drive away fear and depression brought on by an evil spirit.

The soothing effects of music have long since been studied and scientifically shown to affect the well-being of living organisms. Plants have been subjected to varying forms of music in controlled experiments. When exposed to soothing classical music, the plants thrived. However, when exposed to hard rock over time, the plants wilted and eventually died. Thus, we can see even from a physical perspective the power of music on living things.

I have often resorted to the soothing effect of worship music when I have felt down or discouraged or even angry. The one thing that I have learned is that when a person is praising and worshiping the LORD and incorporates true, spiritual worship music in those times, it is impossible to remain in the state one was in prior to praising and worshiping the LORD.

Thus, I recommend to you the same advice that Saul’s adviser made in his troubling times – seek the employ of a talented, godly musician who knows how to usher you in the presence of the most high God, Yahweh, through music and song that connects you with the Spirit of the living God! You won’t remain the same. If you open your heart to the presence of the Holy Spirit during these times, you will find sweet release!

Prayer:
Father, thank you for the gift of music. You have created numerous talented and gifted people over the eons, who possess the ability to sooth the savage beast within us. When we find ourselves stressed beyond measure, we know that we can find release through praising and worshiping you in song and music. You know the numerous times I’ve cried my eyes out, sometimes needlessly over worry, and began to play a particular worship song by an anointed singer/musician, who helped usher me into your sweet, intimate presence. It was there that the world around me with all its cares and worries faded into black as you held me in your arms and loved me and relieved all my fears and dispelled my stress. I can only thank you again and again for the love you show me. Thank you for giving me the talent of playing the piano and often times finding solitude alone at the keyboard just playing and worshiping you! May your will always be done! In Jesus’ name, Amen.