something akin to inspiration

"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice..." Doctrine and Covenants 25:12-13

“Music is given of God to further his purposes. Sweet melodies mellow the souls of men and help prepare them for the gospel. After men receive the truth, songs of praise to Deity help to sanctify and cleanse their souls. It follows that the best and greatest music is that in which, by both note and word, God is praised and his truths are extolled. On the other hand, music can be used for sensuous and carnal purposes. To accomplish the Lord’s aims both word and melody must be edifying and lead to wholesome thoughts and emotions. There is vulgar as well as virtuous music...” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 521)

Since I was a small child, my soul has found delight and solace in music. Even though I have not kept up my skills in playing the violin, I can still get lost in the balm of Gilead it brings. Mostly I love to play hymns. As I play, I sing the words to the melody in my mind or sometimes out loud, worshipping God in my mind's silent prayer--something akin to inspiration.

“There are many references in the scriptures, both ancient and modern, that attest to the influence of righteous music. The Lord, Himself, was prepared for His greatest test through its influence, for the scripture records: ‘And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.’ (Mark 14:26.)” Boyd K. Packer

I especially love the words to the hymn, Where Can I Turn for Peace? They have given me such comfort in times of trial.

Where can I turn for peace?

Where is my solace

When other sources cease to make me whole?

When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,

I draw myself apart,

Searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows,

Where, when I languish,

Where, in my need to know,

where can I run?

Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand?

He, only One.

He answers privately,

Reaches my reaching

In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.

Gentle the peace he finds

for my beseeching.

Constant he is and kind,

Love without end.

Another favorite is There is Sunshine in My Soul Today, which I love to play in times of happiness.

There is sunshine in my soul today,

More glorious and bright

Than glows in any earthly sky,

For Jesus is my light.
[Chorus]Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine

When the peaceful happy moments roll.

When Jesus shows his smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

There is music in my soul today,

A carol to my King,

And Jesus listening can hear

The songs I cannot sing.

There is springtime in my soul today,

For when the Lord is near,

The dove of peace sings in my heart,

The flow’rs of grace appear.

There is gladness in my soul today,

And hope and praise and love,

For blessings which he gives me now,

For joys “laid up” above.

Like King Saul, David's harp heals my soul.