Walk with Him: Make Music a Part of Your Personal Worship

Have you had hymns or Primary songs randomly pop into your thoughts? I never hear the whole song but rather verses that softly dance across the stage of my mind. Sometimes I join the tune, other times I ponder why these words are showing up now. Either way, I consider it a musical tender mercy coming from heaven. In between the notes, I hear Heavenly Father whispering, “I’m here. I’m watching over you.”

Modern science is catching up with what the Psalmists knew. Music is one of the greatest ways to feel life more deeply. Our brains are ideally designed to enjoy music, and music can help us heal. Arthur Brooks reported this finding, “…when the brains of patients with Parkinson’s disease are stimulated by hearing a rhythmic piece, their symptoms may diminish and they are able to walk naturally.”

Mary, Jesus’ mother, was raised in the temple. There, she probably sang and danced to the songs of Psalms and may have sung the sweet words to her firstborn. Over time, Psalms 22 may have been particularly powerful to her as it describes the death of her beloved son. Could Christ have been comforted by these songs during his trials? Perhaps, these songs were musical tender mercies for Him when he needed incomprehensible strength and courage. I imagine Heavenly Father whispering to Him in song, “I’m here. I’m watching over you.” Just like He does for me.

“[Music] can exert a continuing influence for good well beyond times when children are small. … [It] has [the] power to provide spiritual nourishment. It has healing power. It has [the] power to facilitate worship; it allows us to contemplate the [Savior’s] Atonement and the Restoration of the gospel with its saving principles and exalting ordinances. Music provides power for us to express prayerful thoughts and bear testimony of sacred truths.” (President Russell M. Nelson)

“Although I did not grow up in Primary, the Spirit has quickly taught me the sacredness of its songs, and they have become part of my personal worship. Primary songs have carried a holy influence in my life and have lifted my soul, taught me eternal truths, and drawn me nearer to the Savior and to His gospel.” (Sister Tracy Y. Browning)