當5歲的貝拉住進北達科他州的醫院接受癌症治療時，她的療程包括了音樂療法。很多人都曾體驗音樂對心情造成的巨大影響，但卻並不完全瞭解原因何在。近來，研究人員證實了音樂的臨床益處。如今，像貝拉這樣的癌症病人，或有帕金森氏症、失智症及精神創傷的人，醫生都會開一劑音樂處方作為治療。

掃羅王在受干擾感到痛苦時，也尋求音樂治療。他的臣僕見他心神不寧，便提議去找一個擅於彈琴的人為他演奏音樂，盼望能讓掃羅王「感覺爽快」（撒母耳記上16章16節，和合本修訂版）。於是，他們將耶西的兒子大衛找來，而掃羅非常喜愛大衛，還要大衛「侍立在他面前」（22節）。大衛在掃羅心神不寧時為他演奏音樂，使他從痛苦中得到解脫。

音樂對我們身心確實有巨大的影響，這個發現我們可能近代才有科學證明，但上帝一直都知道這個道理。上帝創造了人類的身體，也創造了音樂，無論我們生活在哪個時代，無論去醫院看病是多麼容易，上帝早已為我們的身心健康提供一個隨時能取得的良方。即使我們無法聽音樂，仍可在喜樂或在困境中向上帝唱歌，唱出屬於我們自己的音樂（詩篇59篇16節；使徒行傳16章25節）。

When five-year-old Bella was hospitalized for cancer in North Dakota, she received music therapy as part of her treatment. Many people have experienced the powerful effect of music on mood without understanding exactly why, but researchers have recently documented a clinical benefit. Music is now being prescribed for cancer patients like Bella, and those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and trauma.

King Saul reached for a musical prescription when he was feeling tormented. His attendants saw his lack of peace and suggested they find someone to play the lyre for him in the hope it would make him “feel better” (1 Samuel 16:16). They sent for Jesse’s son David, and Saul was pleased with him and asked that he “remain in [his] service” (v. 22). David played for Saul in his moments of unrest, bringing him relief from his anguish.

We may only just be discovering scientifically what God has known all along about how music can affect us. As the author and creator of both our bodies and music itself, He provided a prescription for our health that’s readily accessible to all, regardless of the era in which we live or how easy it is to visit a doctor. Even when there’s no way to listen, we can sing to God in the midst of our joys and struggles, making music of our own (Psalm 59:16; Acts 16:25).