Last Sunday I played “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,” an old hymn written by Jessie Brown Pounds and John Sylvester Fearis in 1897, with my church’s praise ensemble. It’s about heaven. The Euterpean Ladies’ Quartet sang it at President William McKinley’s funeral. I’m sure the song was especially inspiring in light of his assassination.
The song has a lilting feel and a lyrical, flowing sound. Several people told me the song was beautiful and soothing, even though we played an instrumental version. It was still moving without the lyrics.
Sometimes I envy songwriters. They say a whole lot more in 150 words and a powerful melody than I convey in a thousand words. Lyrics get to the point.
Lyrics are similar to poetry. The best poets boil down themes and drive home points with just a few words, unless you’re Milton or Dante.
But to me, it’s the melody and harmony that make a song stick in my mind.
Music is auditory medicine, and typically can soothe my anxiety within minutes. After a maddening trip to Walmart a few weeks ago I played my favorite song in my car and noticed a physical reaction to the music as well as an emotional one. My brain, which felt tight when I left, relaxed. I started to feel a little blissful, too, an experience that’s all too rare, I’m afraid. But music has that power.
The book of Psalms was the Jewish hymnal. Did you know that? A shepherd-turned-king wrote most of the Psalms. His name was David. He kept watch over sheep as they grazed and helped them find still water to drink. He protected them in dark valleys. And he wrote songs. Imagine a handsome teenager playing his miniature harp and ad-libbing songs to his audience of grass-munching sheep. It’s a pretty picture, isn’t it?
We know he played the lyre very well; well enough to soothe his best friend’s insane father, King Saul. Seriously. This guy was a loose cannon at best. He flipped out twice while David played for him and tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. Sheesh. Talk about a tough audience.
Many people, myself included, turn to the Psalms for comfort and guidance during times of emotional upheaval. I think that’s why so many people love the Psalms: they’re pure, raw emotion, for the most part. They always point to God, of course, but they grab you in the gut. They’re written by real people wrestling with real problems. And they’re praise songs of the highest order, too. Try competing with Psalm 19, all you praise song composers.
I wish I could hear a recording of a Temple service during Jesus’ time. As poignant as the Psalms are in written form, I imagine they’d be a thousand times more inspiring when set to music.
Bottom line: music is therapy. It can transform your mood and mindset. It inspires, encourages, or simply accompanies you in your struggle.
“Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” brightened moods in Fallowfield last Sunday, more than one hundred years after it was written. The Psalms soothe and encourage us thousands of years after David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, and others laid stylus to papyrus.
So whatever you’re struggling with today, read a Psalm and play your favorite song. Then feel your brain relax and your mood transform.
All God’s blessings to you this week.