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And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.
1 Samuel 16:23
There is an image in our culture that music will tame the savage in us – that there is something soothing in music that will calm a wild beast. I don’t really know if it is true or not, but I do not think that is what this passage is saying. Think about it. What would David be singing? He was a songwriter and a rather prolific one. We have his songbook; it is called the Psalms. So what rescued Saul from the torture and manic fury of a demon riding his conscience and heart day in and day out? It was those Psalms, the songs and lyrics of a man in love with his God, full of praise, repentance, and love. It is the word that calmed Saul’s heart. The word of God.
I would make much of this for your own heart and life. Christian music has its place in the life of the Christian, especially when it is the scripture itself in music. Use it, and use it wisely. Find what you like in devotional music and listen to it, even better sing to yourself. Don’t be distracted by the folks who tell you not to listen to the music of the world. That is not forbidden. But be wise, because evil spirits are real. Be in the word, memorize the word, and soak in the word. Take in the word of God like it is cereal in the morning, or a sandwich at lunch, or pasta at dinner. The word set to music can do all of this. And when evil comes, it will not stay very long. Within earshot of David’s songs, no demon can linger to bother the children of God.