3/25/10

Music to sooth the beast

I don't know; is it a rat or a mouse? Whatever, its cute! Do animals really play music? Yes, I have seen seals play horns mounted on a xylophone like contraption and there are probably many others that do unusual things as well. I have always thought music was purely for enjoyment, but it can be medicinal as well. See for yourself.

1 Samuel 16:14-21 WEB (R)
(14) Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him.
(15) Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
(16) Let our lord now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp: and it shall happen, when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well.
(17) Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.
(18) Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Yahweh is with him.
(19) Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.
(20) Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son to Saul.
(21) David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.

OK, I know David played a harp and not the wind instrument that we see in the picture, but still David's efforts soothed king Saul. Saul's problem was that God had left him and this caused distress and unhappiness. Music helped Saul and ingratiated David to him and this was according to the will of God. I find it interesting that God can take the unhappiness of Saul and use it to exalt David. God works in mysterious ways and music is just one more thing to think about. Now, I know David composed many, many Psalms, but I can't help but wonder what the rodent in the picture would play? My best guess on that one would be: "The mouse takes the cheese". Runner up would be: "Cat on a hot tin roof". Perhaps this little fellow is charming a cat the way one would charm a Cobra? Whatever is going on, I still would love to hear "him" play!!