In his book Musicophilia:
Tales of Music and the Brain, Oliver
Sacks devotes a chapter to the therapeutic role of music with
people suffering from Alzheimer’s. He writes of watching people
with advanced dementia respond to songs that bring back memories
that had seemed lost to them: “Faces assume expression as the
old music is recognized and its emotional power felt. One or two
people, perhaps, start to sing along, others join them and soon
the entire group—many of them virtually speechless before—is
singing together, as much as they are able.”
I have seen this occur at Sunday morning services in the
Alzheimer’s care facility where my wife’s mother lives. Perhaps
you’ve experienced it with a loved one whose mind is clouded,
and a song calls forth an awareness from deep within.
Paul encouraged the Christians in Ephesus to “be filled with the
Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord” (Eph. 5:18-19). Songs that glorify God can reach the
deepest level where the meaning never fades. More than words,
harmony, or conscious thought, such music is good for the heart
and soul. — David
C. McCasland
There’s wondrous music in my soul
Since Jesus’ blood has made me whole;
Now my heart sings His songs of praise
For all His blessings all my days. —Hess
A heart in tune with God can’t help but sing His praise.
