thful men he was ever fleeing for his
life. He slept in caves and dens or out in the open, and always with one
eye open. There he used to sing God's praises. A messenger would come
breathlessly in some morning with the news that Saul was just over yonder
ravine with a thousand men. And as David planned what best to do, and
arranged his men, he would be singing.

Maybe he would sing that Twenty-third Psalm:

"For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still."

Or, maybe sometimes,

"To Thee I lift my soul;
O Lord, I trust in Thee:
My God, let me not be ashamed
Nor foes triumph o'er me."

Or, likely, he often sang:

"The Lord's my light and saving health;
Who shall make me dismayed?
My life's strength is the Lord; of whom
Then shall I be afraid?"

Or if perhaps Ezra wrote this psalm it takes one back to his weary,
dangerous journey over from Babylon to Jerusalem and the very difficult
work he was undertaking in Jerusalem in reorganizing the life of the
people again. He used to sing on the way, and through all his
difficulties.

It is a great rule.

"When the day is gloomy
Sing some happy song;
Meet the world's repining
With a courage strong."

Some one asked me if whistling would do. She was a busy housewife and said
that was her rule. I have gone to singing myself. But maybe whistling is
just as good. I'm inclined to favor giving it a place within the range of
this rule.

There's a bit of deep, simple philosophy here. Music is divine. There is
no music in the headquarters of the enemy. He has used it a great deal on
the earth. That's a bit of his cunning. But he always has to steal it from
God's sphere, and work it over to suit his own crafty purposes. Music,
singing, is an open doorway for the Spirit of God to come in, and come in
anew and move freely. Its sweet harmonies found their birth in the
presence of God where sweetest harmonies reign. Lovers of music should be
lovers of God, for He is the one great Master-musician.

When Elisha was asked to prophesy victory for Israel over the enemy at one
time, he refused. He was not in harmony with this king nor his associates.
His spirit refused to respond to their request. But at their urgent
request he yielded, and called for a musician. And as the strains of music
fell upon his ear and entered into his spirit he felt the divine presence
and influence anew. We should use th