To a large degree, how one appreciates and understands music is defined by what purpose music serves in one's mind. Is music meant to be entertainment, a means of musical self-expression, mere accompaniment, or a means by which one worships?
As the widespread appreciation for repetitive, ostinato beats coupled with stale four-chord harmonic sequences repeated ad nauseam reveals, a good many people today certainly don't enjoy music for the beauty of it. People who enjoy such music rather than, say, a Brahms symphony, do so because they enjoy adrenaline rushes more than melodies. They're not concerned with musicality; they just want an upbeat, energetic soundtrack for their Friday night shenanigans or gaming sessions.
Others, however, view music more as a means of self-expression - a means by which to bare the depths of their soul, and in doing so creating musical beauty. (Think Schubert's eighth's symphony, Tchaicovsky's Pathetique, or one of Beethoven's late string quartets) In the Romantic era, this was, to varying degrees, how many composers viewed music - and to an extent, it's how I view it as well. During difficult times, I tend to compose, perform, and listen to music as a means of relieving stress or expressing sadness.
Writing this as a Christian, I think I ought to point out that there is an inherent danger in thus doing - the danger of becoming introspective. True comfort cannot be found in artistically expressing sadness; it can be found only by casting our cares on Jesus, who cares for us.
And that brings me to my point. Scripture exhorts us to do all to the glory of God - a mandate which most certainly applies to music and musicians. Music is a wonderful thing; used properly, it can assist us in focusing our minds on Christ. In the Bible we find the book of Psalms - divinely inspired songs written to be sung and cherished by God's people. And then you have multiple passages in Revelation depicting the redeemed, singing with one voice to the Lord. The sheer grandeur of that is something which I cannot even begin to comprehend.
Music was designed by God, for his glory. It was designed for his people to enjoy; a vehicle through which they can express joy in their salvation, and awe at the grandeur and majesty of the God of the universe.
