In 1 Samuel 16, we read of King Saul and the  “distressing spirit” (vv. 14–23, NKJV) that beset him. He was unable to relax or to sleep, and a sort of manic depression comes upon him. But we are told that David, the young shepherd boy from the line of Jesse, picked up his harp and made music for the king. As the notes from David’s instrument filled the air, Scripture says, King Saul was “refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart” (v. 23).

One of the Hebrew words that is translated “to refresh” or “to be refreshed” is naphash. It means to breathe or to be breathed upon. It is as though David’s song creates a wind that blows the evil spirits away and fills King Saul’s lungs with clean, life-giving breath. Is it any wonder that today’s self-help experts tell us the best way to fight stress is to take a few long, relaxing deep breaths!

And it seems that man is not the only one that needs refreshing. Exodus 31:17 tells us that on the seventh day of creation, God rested…and was refreshed! The word for rested is shabbat and simply means that God ceased from His labors; He was finished. Naphash here implies a gentle breeze or perhaps the breath of God Himself, cooling and invigorating after a job well done.

Do you ever feel the need to just stop and take a deep breath?  It is in those those moments that the cares of this world and the burdens of our hearts, seem to just "blow away."

• Romans 15:32 NIV
  so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.
• 1 Corinthians 16:18 NIV
  For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
• 2 Corinthians 7:13 NIV
  By all this we are encouraged.In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.
• 2 Timothy 1:16
  May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
• Philemon 1:7 NIV
  Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
• Philemon 1:20 NIV
   I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.