Can we understand music's meaning?-part 3

      The English word music is derived from the word muse which means "to think".  The ancient music of the Bible was not merely an art form.  The music of the Bible was not written by  heady high minded composers who were seekers of musical fame and fortune. The sacred music of the Bible was written to honor and worship God. It was created for God's glory and our edification, education and enjoyment as part of the abundant (perissos 4053) life God created for us.  There is also music mentioned in the Bible that did not honor Jehovah.  However, the Bible does not put a premium on such music.  As a matter of fact it condemns it.
       I said all the previous to point out that the ancient music of the Bible that did follow Bible principles of musicing was designed at least partially to make one think.  Since muse means "to think", we are logically drawn to the conclusion that music was given to mankind, at least partially, in order to increase his understanding.  So, at least part of its purpose was understanding which was outside of the music itself.  However, this did not preclude meaning inside of the art of music.
      I do contend that whatever meaning was to be found inside of the formal properties of the music of the Bible was intended to be understandable outside of music.  I do not believe that music was an esoteric set of secret symbols that magically gave music meaning. Therefore, music's meaning must include insight from a knowledge of the music's formal properties and from what the performer or auditor brings to music.
      Everyone brings something to the experience of "doing" or listening to music.  No one is capable of performing or listening to music in a "vacuum".  Neither is music a secret closed system that will only reveal its esoteric understanding to a few erudite performers, college music professors, and music philosophers. I also do not agree with the notion that music "says absolutely nothing" and  can not be experience with understanding.  No musician performs and no person listens in a "bubble" with no connection to life itself.