December 3, 2006
Psalm 49
“Music Solves The Savage Riddle”

~ In Honor Of FCCC's Musicians: Jim Robinson & Scott Posey ~

The saying is illustrious, even if it is both oft misquoted and invariably attributed to the wrong person. The correct quote is “Music has charms to soothe a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” It speaks of the savage “breast” and not “beast.” Likewise, it was uttered not in one of William Shakespeare’s plays, but in one by a later, less notable British playwright, William Congreve. Almeria speaks the line in The Mourning Bride, written in 1697. Nonetheless, its meaning rings clear and true throughout the ages: “Music has charms to soothe the savage breast.”

Music is that mystical substance that is both unsettling source of our most creative inspiration and yet a calming influence upon our most unsettled souls! Music, whether it be human voice in solo, ensemble, or full choir or instrument of reed or membrane or pipe or strings, moves the human breast to emotions hard to attain in any other way. How can simple black ink spots upon a plain white page translate into consuming passion, deepest devotion, raging fury, ethereal serenity, swirling chaos, and pious salvation? How is it possible for vocal chords and lungs to attain such glory or fingers stretch at such speed over keys or valves to transmit such power?

“Music has charms to soothe the savage breast.” Surely music must be one of the fundamental miracles of God’s good creation because of this very quality. Many studies have been done confirming that in classrooms of unruly children, gatherings of agitated adults, or cages of wild animals music has brought a new level of peace and tranquility. This attribute has even become the stuff of legends around the world. Who could forget the disconcerting story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, first luring tens of thousands of rats into the river to their death with his music, and then the children of the town to a cave because of the townspeople’s inadequate gratitude. Some legends about the power of music are firmly rooted in reality, such as the musical paralysis of the snake charmers of India and throughout the Middle East.

It would be appropriate and necessary at this point to insert the familiar story from our own biblical heritage. The young David, destined to be king, is a courtier in the house of Saul. Shackled with bouts of a terrible mental illness, Saul finds the music young David plays on his lyre diminishes the pain of it all. 1 Samuel 16 reports, “Saul loved [David] greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.’ And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him.”

Now, having etched in our minds the familiar quote, “Music has charms to soothe the savage breast,” as well as several kindred illustrations, I would beg of you to allow me to alter it just a bit, based on Psalm 49. If you were listening closely, you heard the psalmist say, “I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.” Perhaps another gift music gives to God’s people, in addition to comfort, is the ability to help us solve the dilemmas of our life, the conundrums, challenges, puzzles if you will. Thus, “Music has charms to solve the savage riddle.”

But doesn’t our experience prove this correct, anyway? Haven’t you found, in the midst of a challenging time of decision-making or discernment, that putting some music on the stereo, CD player, or iPod clears your head, opens up possibilities, frees us from stuck places. Similarly, don’t we cling to specific pieces of music from our history that were instrumental in helping us to make that important decision, liberate our anxieties so that we could move forward with life.

The particular dilemma for which the psalmist prescribes listening to music is the great disparity of the rich and the poor. Not an unfamiliar question throughout history nor in this very neighborhood. The psalmist assures us, having listened to the powerful strains of the harp, that though such riddles as the gulf between the haves and the have-nots are confounding, they melt away in light of the justice of God and the ability of God to look not on outward appearance, but on the heart. Perhaps music will lead us to actions that truly address this ancient impasse?!...

What are the riddles of your life for which the sounds of music might provide relief and reevaluation? Perhaps a relationship gone awry, a career in a dead end, a relative in a pickle, or an opportunity awaiting a decision? Put on the strains of Mozart, Mellancamp, or Mahalia. Tune in to Glenn Miller, Faith Hill, or Mariah Carey. Click on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the Beatles White Album, or that really cool piano piece from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Guy trouble? I prescribe “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” from South Pacific. Sad or afraid? I advise “Favorite Things” from The Sound Of Music. Hope seems lost? I suggest a healthy dose of Ella Fitzgerald’s “This Time The Dream’s On Me.”

As you sit back and listen, perhaps the music will take you right to the decision to be made. Perhaps, instead, it will tell you exactly what not to do. The music may not get you one bit closer to a decision, but you may have found a moment of peace or distraction that will have benefits down the line. Listen, nonetheless, for “Music has charms to solve the savage riddle.”

Of course, there is no magic or mystery to the music itself. It is God, who creates all things, who is the giver of this gift as well. And there is no better place to be reminded of the giver and the gift than right here in Sunday morning worship. Where else can you get, for no charge at all, some of the finest music of the ages offered by some of the finest musicians in Northeast Ohio, all in the name of God and through the grace of Jesus Christ? Now, you’ll have to put up with some middle age guy walking around talking a bit, but he’s easy enough to ignore.

Music is vital to our lives and to our ability to flourish in this life. Others have learned this well. Composer Leonard Bernstein once said, "Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable." Poet and author T.S. Eliot wrote, “You are the music while the music lasts.” The great 19th century philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche captured it best when he wrote, “Without music life would be a mistake.”

You sometimes have a savage breast AND a savage riddle? Come to church and let the music calm you down and focus your mind. You think you need therapy? Great! Give it a whirl, I highly recommend it… but link it to the musical graces of Sunday morning worship. The two are a winning combination! I believe it is true, whichever way you phrase it: Music has charms to soothe the savage breast AND charms to solve the savage riddle. Don’t you agree?

Amen!



Rev. Allen V. Harris
Franklin Circle Christian Church
www.FranklinCircleChurch.org


 

Copyright 2006 -- The Rev. Allen V. Harris

Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113-3096