Motifs of Healing: Interpretation of 1 Samuel 16:14-23 as Music Therapy

Juliana Agusthina Tuasela

doi:10.46567/ijt.v12i1.413

Authors

Juliana Agusthina Tuasela Universitas Kristen Indonesia Maluku https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2807-2909

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46567/ijt.v12i1.413

Keywords:

David, biblical interpretation, lyre, music, therapy, Old Testaments, healing

Abstract

This article delves into the unique role of music as a therapeutic tool in ancient Israel, with a focus on the biblical account of music therapy healing Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-23). This study attempts to explore and question the relationship between music, healing, and religion. This study aims to: first, to interpret the text of 1 Samuel 16:14-23 which introduces the significance of music in the ancient Israelite tradition. Second, to emphasizes the function of music as healing therapy, where David uses the lyre to heal Saul. This text subtly demonstrates the prevalence of the healing practice of music in the biblical world. Third, it investigates narrative interpretive methods that discuss the extent to which Israel, through David, defines himself and how the superiority of music helps shape Israel’s self-perception as a musical community. Data was collected through literature studies/scientific literature related to the title of this study. The results of the data collection will then be processed and presented in the form of a description.

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Author Biography

Juliana Agusthina Tuasela, Universitas Kristen Indonesia Maluku

Juliana Agusthia Tuasela is an ordained pastor at the Protestant Church in the Moluccas (Gereja Protestan Maluku - GPM) since 2004. She served as a co-pastor to Saejungan Church - Indonesia in South Korea from 2021 to 2022. She completed his B.A. in Christian University of Indonesia in the Moluccas (UKIM) in 2001, M.Si. (Teol) at Duta Wacana Christian University in 2014, and Ph.D. at Hoseo University, South Korea, in 2023. She is currently a lecturer of Old Testament at Christian University of Indonesia in Moluccas (UKIM).

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