Music Medicine

1 Sam.:16:23 ...when the evil spirit...was upon Saul David took a harp and played ... and the evil spirit left him

I sat in a Coaster bus travelling from Kingston to Mandeville one bright, sunny Sunday afternoon. It was one of those rare times when nobody on the bus seemed to know anybody else nobody was talking. People just generally ignored each other like when “we deh a foreign”. Then it happened. From the radio came the sounds of the song “That’s What Friends are For”, and all around in the bus passengers began to join in until the entire bus was singing. After the song the bus was suddenly filled with the kind of lively conversation that was not there before. All it took was one song.

Music has the power to affect our behaviour. It works on that part of the brain that controls the emotions. It causes the brain to release chemicals that can move us to be up-beat or to be depressed. Because of this, it can be used to assist in the treatment of persons who are emotionally disturbed. There are psychologists and counsellors who use music to help in the treatment of their patients. It helps to relieve stress and promote calmness.

There is also a spiritual side to this. When God gave the gift of music it was supposed to be a blessing to people; to uplift their minds and draw them close to God. So, just as music can help in fixing emotional problems it can also assist with spiritual problems. King Saul’s problems were both spiritual and emotional and a wise person suggested that they get young David to play for him on the harp whenever he had an attack of the madness. It worked very well. One reason is that David took his music seriously and learned how to make it a blessing.

If you are a musician (singing or playing and instrument) remember that that is a powerful talent you can use to do a lot of good. So many people are troubled, worried and depressed. Bring joy and healing to somebody’s mind today. Sing or play some music for them. Send a song to somebody and lift their spirit up. Spread a little sunshine.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of music. Teach me and help me use it to be a blessing to somebody today, in Jesus’ name, amen.