1 Samuel 16:23 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.
“Music is the medicine of the mind” – John Logan.
The earliest reference of music as a therapy in institutions was in the 1800s. Dr. Benjamin Rush, a physician and psychiatrist, highlighted the therapeutic value of music and advocated music to treat medical disease. Music therapy was used in Blackwell’s Island, New York to alter dream states during psychotherapy in the 1800s.
However, music therapy was used as a psychiatric treatment to drive out the demonic possession of King Saul in 1028BC! The above verse, 1 Samuel 16:23 is a poor translation from Hebrew to English. God doesn’t send tormenting spirits. In Hebrew this verse states that when the Holy Spirit left Saul, evil spirit invaded his soul. There is no vacant space in the spiritual realm. Hell is the absence of the presence of God. When God is absent, diabolical intruders rampantly and illegally occupy the empty soul.
To drive the tormenting spirits the palace officials recommended an anointed instrumentalist. One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem (David) who knows how to play the lyre…And the Lord is with him.” (1 Samuel 16:18). Musical remedy was recommended to drive out the demonic oppression/possession.
Hence the music in our homes and the melody of our minds can either heal or sicken the mind. Music can positively affect or negatively infect our moods, emotions and even our physical body. Brain scans and psychological surveys confirm that the music that we listen to can regulate the moods and stress levels. Pleasant music calms the brain, while aggressive, angry or tense musical notes agitate the mind.
Music Therapy and the Bible:
1. Commotion: Crime, commotion and music are closely related. It was King Saul’s rebellion and arrogance that invited demons. 1 Samuel 15:23a For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. The disobedience of Saul corroded his kingly anointing and opened the door for tormenting spirits. But the anointed fingers of David on the harp drove out the suffocating spirits. Godly music is a therapy to overcome the commotions of the soul.
- Emotion: Music releases dopamine in the brain. Music is like a calming pill however the misuse of music would turn it into a dangerous brain damaging drug. Serial killers often confess that the music that filled their mind, numbed the natural responses and turned them into merciless beasts. In 2012, a research team at the University of Groningen, Netherlands found that music deeply impacts the listener’s perceptions and emotions. Music affects our mood swings.
- Contention: Repeated disobedience turned timid Saul into a violent and contentious monster. If casual conversations turn into contentions, scrutinize the melody, words, rhythm, tone and intensity of the music that constantly feeds your soul. Music can cause both calmness and contentions.
Music is a gift from God. Choose Godly music and medicate your soul.
James 5:13b Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
Prayer: Father God, our great Physician, give me the wisdom to choose the right music that would be the antidote to my soul. Amen.
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