The Spiritual Significance of Music

At the very heart of humanity, is a song of the soul.  Spiritual music and songs bring us to another level of being present in the moment and allow the soul to soar.  I believe in the collective worship experience, that is why most places of worship include music as part of the framework of the gathering.  The existence and experience of the music brings us together and more spiritually attuned.
Music has evolved from what I grew up with at church-- an organist, (or piano if we weren't fortunate enough to have an organ) and a hymnal to two or three bass players, drums, keyboard and guitars.  From the slow, melodic hymns like "In the Garden" and "Rock of Ages" to rousing and uplifting songs like "Great I Am" and "This is Amazing Grace".  We all have favorites. We all have that one song that stirs up memories and speaks to our soul.  I cannot put a finger on just one-- there are so many.  We grew up listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford sing "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and "In the Garden" and as we moved into the 70's the hymnals were gone and we were singing "Just as I Am" and "Blessed Assurance".
When I sat with my brother during his last few hours on earth,  I found peace in listening to "I Can Only Imagine" and I let the music whisper to me and paint a picture of peace.  Music has a way of expressing what we cannot say.  My favorite story is about Horatio Spafford who wrote the song "It is Well With My Soul".  In the 1870's, he suffered great financial loss and sent his family to Europe but was unable to join them on the ship at the last minute due to business problems.  While crossing the Atlantic, the ship his wife and four daughters was on sank and only his wife survived.  Rushing to get to her, his ship went the same route and as he neared the place he wrote the following, in part:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
   
While I cannot pick just one song that spiritually moves me, I know that music is a good therapy for me and that it has helped me manage stressful situations, rest more peacefully at night and given me a  better attitude.  Singing and listening to good music becomes engraved on the mind and surely the soul.  And in the end, I want it to be well with my soul.