Editorial February 1, 1958 Issue

GENUINE TRANQUILLITY COMES FROM GOD

John J. Selover

When David was a youth, he was called into King Saul's service. One of his duties was to tranquilize the troubled monarch through the use of music. On such occasions, we are told that "David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well" (I Sam. 16:23).

David's pacifying act, although seemingly effective at first, lost its healing force. It was not a sure remedy for the monarch's disturbed consciousness. In fact, his troubles continued throughout his life. His failure to respond to the harmonious strains of music was indicated in his burning desire to destroy David, even as David obediently endeavored to sooth him by playing on the harp.

Today various material and psychological remedies are presented in an effort to induce sleep, to quiet the nerves, or to tranquilize the body. To the degree that thought believes in the force of these methods, they may, even as in Saul's case, seem temporarily remedial. But they lose their supposed force as general trust and belief in them alters.

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