A short preview of the book "What Is Worship Music?" by Paul S. Jones. From the Basics of the Faith Series, published by P&R Publishing Company, 2010.

1. B a s i c s o f t h e F a i t h S e r i e s
Paul S. Jones
9 7 8 1 5 9 6 3 8 1 9 8 8
5 0 3 9 9
Basics of the Faith booklets introduce readers to basic Reformed doctrine
and practice. On issues of church government and practice they reflect that
framework—otherwise they are suitable for all church situations.
WORSHIP
ISBN: 978-1-59638-198-8
EAN
B a s i c s o f
t h e F a i t h
S E R I E S
Paul S. Jones

2. What Is Worship Music?
Basics of the Faith Series, P&R Publications, 2010
One would be hard-pressed to find a definitive
answer to this question on the basis of practice in
the Church today.
We need to be following biblical principles for
worship music. Rather than trying to produce a list of
appropriate songs or styles, it will be more helpful to
discover biblical principles that can be applied in
varying ecclesiastical contexts. The character of
musical worship will be more similar from church to
church, at least, if we share the same understanding
of music’s roles in worship.

3. Based on biblical evidence, music properly
fulfills three roles in the context of worship:
Praise
Prayer
Proclamation

4. • Praise is the lauding of God for His acts
and attributes, acknowledging His
supremacy in all things.
• Prayer is any communication addressed
to God—spoken, sung, thought, written.
• Proclamation encompasses any activity
that proclaims the Word of God: quotation,
explanation, creeds, teaching or
preaching.

5. Praise, prayer, and proclamation are the
proper, biblical roles of psalmody and
hymnody, of vocal music and instrumental
music. They extend to congregational song
and choral anthems, to the layperson and
the minister, to organist or guitarist.

6. And when worship music is properly fulfilling
these roles according to biblical principles,
discord dissipates, unity increases, and the
Spirit utilizes music for its highest purpose,
for man’s chief purpose—to glorify our
Triune God.

7. For our worship music to be biblical, it must
find its themes, principles and qualities in
Scripture. Careful consideration and
implementation of what God has revealed in
His Word will correct aberrations in our
practice.

8. This short volume seeks to interact with
biblical evidence concerning music in order
to arrive at biblical principles for the local
church. We look at biblical genres of song
and their themes. And, we briefly revisit the
thinking of leading Protestant Reformers on
the topic of music as well, chiefly those of
John Calvin and Martin Luther.

9. Worshiping God is not only an earthly, life-
long activity, but it is an eternal one. So it is
important to understand what the Scriptures
have to say about music’s role in worship
and put these ideas into practice now. We
literally are “practicing” for an eternal activity.

10. My hope and prayer is that God will use this
book to help us evaluate, compose, sing and
play worship music in a spiritual manner,
according to the principles His Word
conveys, for His own glory. - psj

11. What Is Worship Music?
Basics of the Faith Series, P&R Publications, 2010
Available from:
• P&R Publications - www.prpbooks.com/What-is-
Worship-Music-2023.html
• Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Paul-S.-Jones/e/
B001JS4FDA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=14065
• Paul Jones Music, Inc. – www.pjonesmusic.us