“The Power Of Praise!”

“The Power Of Praise!”(I Sam.16:14-23).
I was conducting research on “the new age movement” and learned something about suicidal songs. I went further to check on suicidal songs, and the song mentioned most as provoking people to suicide was the song, “Gloomy Sunday.” (By the way, New Age ‘is a broad movement characterized by alternative approaches to traditional Western culture, with an interest in spirituality, mysticism, holism, and environmentalism.”).
It has not quite been substantiated, but urban legends circulated that the song Gloomy Sunday was the main cause of several suicide cases that occurred in Hungary and the Unite States of America in the 1930s.
The claims may not be substantiated, but from a biblical standpoint, it is evident that music can influence behaviour and actions.
It is not biblically stated that we pray double when we sing, but songs create impact. One of my Dutch lecturers emphasised to us that you cannot pray well if you do not know some Psalms by heart. Psalms are prayers, though they are songs.
David had earlier on been anointed by Samuel to become the next king after Saul. Saul himself asked for David to be brought to the palace. He himself sent word to David’s father, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him” Saul did not know that it was God using him to groom David as the next and second occupant of the throne of Israel.
Our focus today is about the powerful Spirit of God in song.
The “Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.” His attendants suggested that since an evil spirit from God was tormenting him, he should command that they search and bring to him a good singer who can play the lyre to play for him each time the evil spirit came upon him.
This is how David was brought to the palace through the recommendation of one of the servants.
‘Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul, he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”
My friend, do not underestimate the power of songs. I’ve witnessed some women engage in a tussle at a funeral because one of them said something derogatory in a dirge. Songs have power! Songs of praise to God are powerful prayers! Truly, when we sing, we pray double!
We have to make daily efforts to be in a right relationship with the LORD so that his Spirit should not leave us and allow us to be tormented by an evil spirit, still from him the LORD.
David lived this experience in his own life. When he fell out of favour with the LORD, he prayed, “Cast me not away from your presence, O LORD, and take not your Holy Spirit from me…”
Pray and praise the LORD daily so that he will not send an evil spirit to torment you.
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit, inspire us daily to sing songs of praises exalting the LORD so that you will not be taken away from us. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
23/05/2025.