November 22

David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. — 1 Sam 16:23

Sometimes the sun, unkindly hot,
My garden makes a desert spot,
Sometimes a blight upon the tree
Takes all my fruit away from me;
And then with throes of bitter pain
Rebellious passions rise and swell;
And so I sing and all is well.
— Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care,
And come like benediction
That follows after prayer.
— Henry W. Longfellow.

Songs consecrate to truth and liberty.
— Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Prayer

Almighty God, I thank thee that thou wilt come to me as my heart cries for need. I bless thee that thou dost come to me as my lips sing thy praise. I pray that I may be saved from a cruel and cheerless heart, and be a sharer of the songs that are sung to the soul. Amen.