Dance, Play, And Sing A Little Louder!

Praise him with tambourine and dancing; Praise him with the stringed instruments and flute.

Psalm 150:4 nasb

If everything in the Bible is there for a purpose, we should not overlook the significance of the many biblical references to music. Music is universal and cultural. The Bible talks about playing instruments before battle, as part of celebrations, and in times of sadness. Sometimes music includes words, and other times it is just the instruments speaking.

Music moves us. It brings emotions deep within us to the surface. And by doing so, we can experience healing. Researchers from McGill University in Canada found that listening to music increases good chemicals in the brain.5 While varying types of research continues to be conducted around depression and the brain, we cannot deny how music affects the brain.

Sometimes when we are struggling with a sickness or ailment, we might struggle to find the words to describe what we are experiencing. But music can help draw out the words and the emotions we are experiencing. It can even lift the mood of the depressed. Sometimes music has the ability to communicate more effectively, and the people of the Bible knew this. Throughout the Bible, we find references to music—not only God’s people playing and singing for him, but God celebrating us (Zephaniah 3:17).

The next time depression begins to creep into life, consider putting on some worship music. Listen. Hear the harmonies. Play your own tune. Move your body in an act of worshipful dancing. Experience the presence of God through music.

Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears—it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more—it can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Dr. Oliver Sacks

Dance is the hidden language of the soul.

Martha Graham

For Further Reflection

Psalm 100:1; Psalm 150:6; Habakkuk 3:17–18

Today’s Prayer

Father, thank you for the example of different ways to express how we truly feel. When I cannot find the words, please remind me to listen to and sing songs of praise that will direct my heart to you. Amen.