Worship – Ken Puls Music Blog

Songs and Thanksgiving

by Ken

November 19, 2020

6:33 am

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Hymn, Music for Worship, Psalm, Worship, Worship Music Index, Worship Song

Church Music, Hymn, thanks, thanksgiving, Theology, Worship

O give thanks to the Lord for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
(Psalm 118:1)

Below is a list of psalm settings, hymns, and spiritual songs that focus on giving thanks to the Lord.

If you have additional suggestions for songs related to thanksgiving that should be included in the index, please comment or send me a message.

Note: The songs are listed below by title and author. For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the page for Songs and Thanksgiving in the Theological Index of Music for Worship online. I will be updating the online Index with more songs and topics in the days ahead as I receive recommendations.

Songs and Thanksgiving

1. It is good to give thanks to the Lord

All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)

2. All people should praise and thank the Lord

All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis)
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart (Edward Plumptre)

3. Give thanks for who God is

10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord (Jonas Myrin / Matt Redman)
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Be Exalted, O God—Psalm 57:9–11 (Brent Chambers)
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Robert Robinson)
For the Beauty of the Earth (Folliott Pierpoint)
Forever (Chris Tomlin)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas O. Chisholm)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis)
Let Us with a Gladsome Mind—Psalm 136 (John Milton)
My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
Now Thank We All Our God (Martin Rinkert / Catherine Winkworth)
Rejoice, the Lord Is King (Charles Wesley)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)

4. Give thanks for life and daily provision

All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (Henry Alford)
For the Beauty of the Earth (Folliott Pierpoint)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas O. Chisholm)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis)
Let Us with a Gladsome Mind—Psalm 136 (John Milton)
My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
Now Thank We All Our God (Martin Rinkert / Catherine Winkworth)

5. Give thanks for salvation and eternal life

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Robert Robinson)
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (Henry Alford)
Father I Thank You (Jeremy & Adrienne Camp, David & Natalie Leonard)
Forever (Chris Tomlin)
Give Thanks (Henry Smith)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas O. Chisholm)
Jesus Thank You (Pat Sczebel)
My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
Rejoice, the Lord Is King (Charles Wesley)
Thank You, Lord (Seth and Bessie Skies)
There Is a Redeemer (Melody Green)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)
Worthy Is the Lamb (Darlene Zschech)

6. Begin each day with thanksgiving

10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord (Jonas Myrin / Matt Redman)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)

7. Conclude each day with thanksgiving

10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord (Jonas Myrin / Matt Redman)
A Prayer for God’s Presence (Ken Puls)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)

8. Give thanks to the Lord in gathered worship (with the church)

We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise (Kirk C. Dearman)
We Gather Together (Adrianas Valerius, Theodore Baker)
We Give Thanks (Drew Hodge)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)

9. Give thanks to the Lord before a watching world

Be Exalted, O God—Psalm 57:9–11 (Brent Chambers)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)

10. Give thanks to the Lord with joy

All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
He Has Made Me Glad—Psalm 100:4 (Leona Von Brethorst)
How Good It Is to Thank the Lord—Psalm 92:1–9, 12–15 (The Psalter, 1912)
It Is Good to Sing Your Praises (The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis)
Now Thank We All Our God (Martin Rinkert / Catherine Winkworth)
Rejoice, the Lord Is King (Charles Wesley)
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart (Edward Plumptre)
We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise (Kirk C. Dearman)

11. Give thanks to the Lord even in times of trial and sorrow

Blessed Be Your Name (Matt & Beth Redman)
Count Your Blessings (Johnson Oatman, Jr.)
Father I Thank You (Jeremy & Adrienne Camp, David & Natalie Leonard)
Now Thank We All Our God (Martin Rinkert / Catherine Winkworth)
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart (Edward Plumptre)
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)

12. Give thanks to the Lord always

10,000 Reasons – Bless the Lord (Jonas Myrin / Matt Redman)
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Father I Thank You (Jeremy & Adrienne Camp, David & Natalie Leonard)
He Has Made Me Glad—Psalm 100:4 (Leona Von Brethorst)

For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the online Index:

Entry for “Songs and Thanksgiving”

TOC for Theology and Song: A Theological Index of Music for Worship

The Purpose of Music in Worship

by Ken

October 12, 2020

6:33 am

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Bible Study, Music for Worship, Worship

Church Music, Faith, Praise, Prayer, thanksgiving, Truth, Worship

Excerpt from: “Reforming Church Music”
A Paper presented at the 2001 Founders Conference

Ken Puls

God has purpose and intent in including music as an element of worship. The Bible has much to say about music and its role in worship. The following list summarizes seven roles that will help us define the purpose of music in worship.

1. Music is a primary means of praising God. The majority of references to music in the Bible, including verses that teach about music, as well as Psalms and other passages that are the texts to songs, are in the context of praising God. Through music we exalt, glorify, honor, bless, and adore God. We marvel at the perfection of His character, attributes, gifts, names, and works, ascribing to Him in song all that He is! The Psalter itself culminates in praise:

Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
(Psalm 150:1–2)

Music exists first and foremost to the glory and praise of God and Scripture convincingly bears this out.

2. Music is a primary means of giving thanks to God. Thanksgiving is a grateful acknowledgment or public confession of the goodness of God manifest in what He has done for His people. It is a grateful response to God for His deliverance, healing, forgiveness, salvation, and other blessings that He brings to us. Music accompanies thanksgiving in worship:

Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
In the company of the upright and in the convocation.
(Psalm 111:1)

Thanksgiving is also sung in the context of evangelism:

I will give thanks to You among the peoples, O Lord;
I will sing praises to You among the nations.
(Psalm 57:9)

As with praise, references in Scripture to giving thanks most often occur in song.

3. Music serves as a means of prayer. Many of the songs and psalms of Scripture are addressed directly to God. David, for example, in Psalms 4 and 5 pours out his heart to God, brings petitions and asks for help and mercy. Throughout the Psalter, psalmists lament over sorrows, anguish over difficulties, confess their sinfulness, rejoice over God’s kindness, celebrate His goodness, and express numerous other emotions as they pour out their hearts before Him. Music can serve as invocation, petition, supplication, intercession, repentance, lamentation, and other forms of prayer, lifting our concerns before God.

4. Music serves as a means to proclaim truth. As we sing praise, thanksgiving, and prayer we voice our words to God, but music can also bring God’s Word to us. We can sing the words of Scripture, Psalms and other passages set to music. We can also teach and admonish one another in song with the truths of Scripture. Psalm 1, for example, is a didactic song that teaches us the difference between the blessed and the ungodly. Music helps us to remember and meditate on the truths of Scripture. It serves alongside preaching as a means of proclamation, edifying the church and evangelizing the lost, as it provides an emotional context in which we can interpret, understand, and express the truths of God’s Word.

5. Music serves as a means of exhortation. Music lifts our words to God in prayer and brings God’s Word to us in proclamation, but it can also voice our words to one another. Psalm 95, for example, is a call to worship. We exhort one another with the words:

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
(Psalm 95:1–2)

Through music God’s people speak to one another, stirring up one another to good works. Music can call us to worship, exhort us to love and serve one another, encourage us to live in obedience to God’s Word, admonish us to flee from sin and pursue holiness, and enjoin us to go out and witness and share the gospel.

6. Music serves as a means to confess our faith. With music God’s people can express common beliefs and doctrines as one voice. In the Old Testament Israel rehearsed their faith and history through music. Psalm 118, for example, is a public confession of the goodness and enduring mercy of God. The New Testament contains several confessional statements such as 2 Timothy 2:11 that many scholars believe are fragments of early hymns. Music provides an effective way to unite in declaring our confessions of faith.

Perhaps the most notable example of this in church history is the “Doxology,” written by Thomas Ken in 1709, a musical affirmation of the doctrine of the Trinity:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

7. Finally, music serves as a means of enriching worship with beauty. According to Scripture, singing praise to God is pleasant and beautiful. Psalm 147:1 reads:

Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

It is good when we unite our voices together in singing to God. Music provides a beautiful garb in which we dress our words and actions in worship. It is a pleasant means of joining together to express our love and devotion to God in worship.These are seven roles or functions of music that God affirms in His Word. God has commanded us to make music and included it in His design for worship. It is not the purpose of music to amuse, manipulate, or entertain us in worship. God has given us music that we might beautifully lift our praise, thanksgiving, and prayers to Him; that we might proclaim the truth of His Word, confess our faith, and exhort one another to good works as we gather in corporate worship.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from
The New King James Version® (NKJV™), copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Download a PDF of this Excerpt

Excerpt Citation

Ken Puls, “Reforming Church Music,” in Reclaiming the Gospel and Reforming Churches: The Southern Baptist Founders Conference, 1982–2002, ed. Tom Ascol (Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2003), 438–442.

The book Reclaiming the Gospel and Reforming Churches is a compilation of papers presented over the first 25 years of the Founders Conference and is available for purchase from Founders Press.

Treasuring the Gathering of the Church

by Ken

April 9, 2020

6:25 am

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Hymn, Music for Worship, Worship

Church, Gathering, Hymn, Praise, Trials, Worship

These past few weeks have reminded me again how much I treasure the gathering of the church. I don’t so much miss going to a building, though buildings can be beautiful places to gather. I miss being with the gathered people of God—coming together to pray, sing, fellowship, and hear the preaching of God’s Word. It is a great kindness of God to allow us to walk together through this life, to share one another’s burdens, to comfort and encourage one another.

I’m praying that God will bring a swift end to the pandemic in days ahead, so we can once again gather as a church without fear of inadvertently doing one another harm. But even more, I’m praying that God will remind us how beloved the church is, that we would learn more deeply to treasure one another in Christ.

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
Psalm 122:1

How Dear and Treasured in the Church

How dear and treasured is the church,
With voices joined in praise and prayers,
For God has made us one in Christ,
To share our sorrows, joys and cares.

Entrusted with the truth of God,
Called out to make the gospel known,
We boldly as His church proclaim:
There’s grace and hope in Christ alone!

God fashions us as living stones;
Assembled as His dwelling place.
Though we were dead, He gives us life,
Each soul a miracle of grace.

Built as a buttress of the truth,
A pillar rising to the sky,
God sets His church before the world,
His Word and name to magnify.

To all the world we testify,
Our lives display in word and deed
The matchless worth of knowing Christ,
The boundless depth of our great need.

Brought near to God by Christ’s shed blood,
Loved and adopted as His own,
A household built upon the Word,
With Christ Himself the Cornerstone.

Built on this Rock, the church will stand,
The gates of hell shall not prevail,
All who are Christ’s shall be raised up,
The Word of God will never fail.

Download the lyrics and free sheet music for this hymn, including an arrangement of the tune ERHALT UNS HERR for classical guitar.

More Hymns and Songs by Ken Puls

Songs and the Trinity

by Ken

December 23, 2019

9:00 am

1 Comment on Songs and the Trinity

Hymn, Music for Worship, Psalm, Worship, Worship Music Index, Worship Song

1689 Confession, Church Music, Creed, Praise, Theology, Trinity, Worship

Throughout the ages the church has confessed that there is One God in Three Persons. We declare it in our creeds:

“I believe in God the Father, Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary;
Suffered under Pontius Pilate;
Was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell;
On the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of God
the Father Almighty;
From there He will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic church;
The communion of saints;
The forgiveness of sins;
The resurrection of the body;
And life everlasting.
Amen.”
The Apostle’s Creed

We affirm it in our confessions of faith:

“In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on him.”
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, 2:3

And we celebrate it in our songs. Below is a list of psalm settings, hymns, and spiritual songs that teach on the doctrine of the Trinity: One God in Three Persons. This List is from my Theological Index of Music for Worship. If you have additional suggestions for songs related to the doctrine of the Trinity that should be included in the index, please comment or send me a message.

Note: The songs are listed below by title and author. For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the page for Songs and the Trinity in the Theological Index of Music for Worship online. I will be updating the online Index with more songs and topics in the days ahead as I receive recommendations.

Songs and the Trinity: There is one God in Three Persons

All Creatures of Our God and King (St. Francis of Assisi / William H Draper)
Angels from the Realms of Glory (James Montgomery)
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (Latin Hymn – 7th C / J M Neale)
Come Praise and Glorify (Bob Kauflin / Tim Chester) • Sovereign Grace Music
Come, Thou Almighty King (Anonymous)
God, Our Father, We Adore Thee (G W Frazer / A S Loizeaux)
Holy God, We Praise Your Name—Te Deum(Anonymous / I Franz / C Walworth)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)
Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now (Anonymous / Catherine Winkworth)
We Believe—Apostles Creed (Keith and Kristyn Getty / Stuart Townend)

2. The work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Creation

All Creatures of Our God and King (St. Francis of Assisi / William H Draper)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Prudentius / J M Neale / H Baker)
We Believe—Apostles Creed (Keith and Kristyn Getty / Stuart Townend)

3. The work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Salvation

All Glory Be to Thee Most High—Gloria in Excelsis (Latin Hymn)
Behold, My Soul (Ken Puls) to DUANE STREET • Ken Puls Music
Come Praise and Glorify (Bob Kauflin / Tim Chester) • Sovereign Grace Music
God, Our Father, We Adore Thee (G W Frazer / A S Loizeaux)
Heavenly Father, Beautiful Son (Mark Altrogge) • Sovereign Grace Music
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)
Only Jesus (Doug Plank) • Sovereign Grace Music
Savior of the Nations, Come (Ambrose of Milan / M Luther / W M Reynolds)
There Is a Redeemer (Melody Green)
We Believe—Apostles Creed (Keith and Kristyn Getty / Stuart Townend)
Wonderful, Merciful Savior (Dawn Rogers / Eric Wyse)

4. Prayer to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

All Glory Be to Thee Most High—Gloria in Excelsis (Latin Hymn)
Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word (Tobias Clausnitzer / Catherine Winkworth)
Come, Thou Almighty King (Anonymous)
God, Our Father, We Adore Thee (G W Frazer / A S Loizeaux)
Heavenly Father, Beautiful Son (Mark Altrogge) • Sovereign Grace Music
Holy God, We Praise Your Name—Te Deum(Anonymous / I Franz / C Walworth)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)
Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word (Martin Luther / Catherine Winkworth)
O God, We Praise Thee—Te Deum (Anonymous – 5th C)
Only Jesus (Doug Plank) • Sovereign Grace Music
Wonderful, Merciful Savior (Dawn Rogers / Eric Wyse)

5. Praise and adoration to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

All Creatures of Our God and King (St. Francis of Assisi / William H Draper)
Alleluia! Alleluia! (Christopher Wordsworth)
Angels from the Realms of Glory (James Montgomery)
Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word (Tobias Clausnitzer / Catherine Winkworth)
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (Latin Hymn – 7th C / J M Neale)
Come Praise and Glorify (Bob Kauflin / Tim Chester) • Sovereign Grace Music
Come, Thou Almighty King (Anonymous)
Doxology (Thomas Ken)
God, Our Father, We Adore Thee (G W Frazer / A S Loizeaux)
Holy God, We Praise Your Name—Te Deum(Anonymous / I Franz / C Walworth)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)
Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now (Anonymous / Catherine Winkworth)
O God, We Praise Thee—Te Deum (Anonymous – 5th C)
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Prudentius / J M Neale / H Baker)
Savior of the Nations, Come (Ambrose of Milan / M Luther / W M Reynolds)
The God of Abraham Praise (Thomas Olivers)
Wonderful, Merciful Savior (Dawn Rogers / Eric Wyse)

For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the online Index:

Entry for “Songs and the Trinity”

TOC for Index Theology and Song

Songs and God’s Word

by Ken

November 7, 2019

6:21 am

2 Comments on Songs and God’s Word

Hymn, Music for Worship, Psalm, Worship, Worship Music Index, Worship Song

Bible, Church Music, doctrine, Scripture, Theology, Word of God, Worship

Open Bible on Table with Hymn Tune: How Firm a Foundation

This is the second post from my Theological Index of Music for Worship.

Below is a list of psalm settings, hymns, and spiritual songs that teach on the doctrine of Scripture: Special Revelation. The songs are arranged under 17 theological statements, including one for which I have not yet found related songs

If you have additional suggestions for songs related to the doctrine of Scripture that should be included in the index, please comment or send me a message.

Note: The songs are listed below by title and author. For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the page for Songs and God’s Word in the Theological Index of Music for Worship online. I will be updating the online Index with more songs and topics in the days ahead as I receive recommendations.

If you missed the first post, you can read it here: Songs and God’s Creation.

Songs and God’s Word: Special Revelation

1. God’s Word is divine revelation, given by inspiration of God—it is God breathed

Father of Mercies in Thy Word (Anne Steele)
Forever Settled in the Heavens—Psalm 119:89–97 (The Psalter, 1912)
Holy Bible, Book Divine (John Burton)
How Precious Is the Book Divine (John Fawcett)
O Spirit, Now We Thank You (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
O Word of God Incarnate (William Walsham How)
We Have an All-Sufficient Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)

2. God’s Word is our final rule of faith and life—it is our final authority

How Firm a Foundation (Rippon’s Selection of Hymns)
Speak, O Lord (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)

3. God’s Word is infallible—it is incapable of error or failing

O Spirit, Now We Thank You (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
O Word of God Incarnate (William Walsham How)
Standing on the Promises (R. Kelso Carter)

4. God’s Word is inerrant—it is without error or failing

Ancient Words (Lynn DeShazo)
Most Perfect Is the Law of God—Psalm 19:7–11 and 119:97 (The Psalter 1912)
O Spirit, Now We Thank You (Ken Puls) Ken Puls Music
O Word of God Incarnate (William Walsham How)
Speak, O Lord (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
We Have an All-Sufficient Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music

5. God’s Word is complete—nothing is ever to be added to Scripture

How Firm a Foundation (Rippon’s Selection of Hymns)
O Word of God Incarnate (William Walsham How)
Sufficient Is the Word of God (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music

6. God’s Word is all-sufficient—it teaches all that is necessary for salvation and life eternal

God in the Gospel of His Son (Benjamin Beddome / Thomas Cotterill)
Sufficient Is the Word of God (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
We Have an All-Sufficient Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring—Psalm 138 (The Psalter, 1912)

7. God’s Word is efficacious—it accomplished God’s purposes and does not return void

Forever Settled in the Heavens—Psalm 119:89–97 (The Psalter, 1912)
Lord, We Come to Hear Your Word (Ken Puls / Drew Hodge) • Ken Puls Music / Desert Springs
Speak, O Lord (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
We Have an All-Sufficient Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music

8. God’s Word is perspicuous—it is sufficiently clear upon essential matters of faith and practice

Most Perfect Is the Law of God—Psalm 19:7–11 and 119:97 (The Psalter 1912)
Sufficient Is the Word of God (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Vast the Riches of God’s Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music

9. God’s Word must be illumined by the Spirit of God if we are to rightly understand and apply it

Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word (Tobias Clausnitzer / Catherine Winkworth)
Break Thou the Bread of Life (Mary Lathbury)
Father of Mercies in Thy Word (Anne Steele)
Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak (Francis Havergal)
Lord, We Come to Hear Your Word (Ken Puls / Drew Hodge) • Ken Puls Music / Desert Springs
O Spirit, Now We Thank You (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Teach Me O Lord Thy Way of Truth—Psalm 119:33–40 (The Psalter 1912)
The Spirit Breathes upon the Word (William Cowper)
Vast the Riches of God’s Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
We Have an All-Sufficient Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music

10. God’s Word is its own best interpreter—the infallible rule for interpreting Scripture is Scripture itself

11. God’s Word is profitable for doctrine, corrections, reproof, and instruction in righteousness

Father of Mercies in Thy Word (Anne Steele)
Holy Bible, Book Divine (John Burton)
How Precious Is the Book Divine (John Fawcett)
O Spirit, Now We Thank You (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Teach Me O Lord Thy Way of Truth—Psalm 119:33–40 (The Psalter 1912)
Twas God that Made the Ocean (George B. Bubier)
Two Voices Cry Out to Be Heard (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
We Have an All-Sufficient Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Wonderful Words of Life (Sing Them Over Again to Me) (Philip Bliss)

12. God’s Word is Christ-centered—Scripture (the written Word) points us to Christ (the incarnate Word)

Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word (Tobias Clausnitzer / Catherine Winkworth)
Break Thou the Bread of Life (Mary Lathbury)
Father of Mercies in Thy Word (Anne Steele)
Holy Bible, Book Divine (John Burton)
Lord, We Come to Hear Your Word (Ken Puls / Drew Hodge) • Ken Puls Music / Desert Springs
O Word of God Incarnate (William Walsham How)
Standing on the Promises (R. Kelso Carter)
Twas God that Made the Ocean (George B. Bubier)
Two Voices Cry Out to Be Heard (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)
Vast the Riches of God’s Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Wonderful Words of Life (Sing Them Over Again to Me) (Philip Bliss)
Word of God, Across the Ages (Ferdinand Blanchard)

13. God’s Word is life-giving and powerful, able to defeat the powers of darkness.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Martin Luther / Frederick Hedge)
Ancient Words (Lynn DeShazo)
Speak, O Lord (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
The Heavens Declare Thy Glory, Lord—Psalm 19(Isaac Watts)
The Spirit Breathes upon the Word (William Cowper)
Twas God that Made the Ocean (George B. Bubier)
Two Voices Cry Out to Be Heard (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
We Have an All-Sufficient Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Wonderful Words of Life (Sing Them Over Again to Me) (Philip Bliss)
Word of God, Across the Ages (Ferdinand Blanchard)

14. God’s Word is a message for all peoples to be proclaimed in every tongue.

Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak (Francis Havergal)
O Word of God Incarnate (William Walsham How)
The Heavens Declare Thy Glory, Lord—Psalm 19(Isaac Watts)
The Spirit Breathes upon the Word (William Cowper)
Wonderful Words of Life (Sing Them Over Again to Me) (Philip Bliss)
Word of God, Across the Ages (Ferdinand Blanchard)

15. God’s Word is the Sword of the Spirit, arming us for spiritual battle.

Lord, We Come to Hear Your Word (Ken Puls / Drew Hodge) • Ken Puls Music / Desert Springs
O Spirit, Now We Thank You (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Standing on the Promises (R. Kelso Carter)
We Have an All-Sufficient Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Your Word Is Like a Garden Lord (Edwin Hodder)

16. God’s Word is our light and guide for how we are live and walk in this world.

Ancient Words (Lynn DeShazo)
Every Promise (Keith Getty / Stuart Townend)
God in the Gospel of His Son (Benjamin Beddome / Thomas Cotterill)
Holy Bible, Book Divine (John Burton)
How Precious Is the Book Divine (John Fawcett)
How Shall the Young Direct Their Ways? —Psalm 119:9–16 (The Psalter 1912)
O Spirit, Now We Thank You (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
O Word of God Incarnate (William Walsham How)
Sufficient Is the Word of God (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
The Heavens Declare Thy Glory, Lord—Psalm 19(Isaac Watts)
The Spirit Breathes upon the Word (William Cowper)
Two Voices Cry Out to Be Heard (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Vast the Riches of God’s Word (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music
Word of God, Across the Ages (Ferdinand Blanchard)
Your Word Is Like a Garden Lord (Edwin Hodder)

17. God’s Word stands forever—it is eternal.

Every Promise (Keith Getty / Stuart Townend)
Father of Mercies in Thy Word (Anne Steele)
Forever Settled in the Heavens—Psalm 119:89–97 (The Psalter, 1912)
God in the Gospel of His Son (Benjamin Beddome / Thomas Cotterill)
Speak, O Lord (Stuart Townend / Keith Getty)
Word of God, Across the Ages (Ferdinand Blanchard)

The next post in the series will be Songs and The Trinity—One God in Three Persons.

For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the Theological Index of Music and Worship online:

Entry for “Songs and God’s Word”

TOC forIndex—Theology and Song

Songs and God’s Creation

by Ken

October 21, 2019

6:22 am

Leave a comment on Songs and God’s Creation

Hymn, Music for Worship, Psalm, Worship, Worship Music Index, Worship Song

Church Music, Creation, Praise, Revelation, Theology, Worship

Open Bible and hymn near an ocean at sunset

This is the first of what I hope to be many posts exploring the connection between music for worship and the study of theology. Below is a list of psalm settings, hymns, and spiritual songs that teach on the doctrine of creation: natural revelation. The songs are arranged under 16 theological statements, including 5 statements for which I have not yet found related songs.

If you have additional suggestions for songs related to the doctrine of creation that should be included in the index, please comment or send me a message.

Note: The songs are listed below by title and author. For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the page for “Songs and God’s Creation” in Theology and Song: A Theological Index of Music for Worship online. I will be updating the online Index with more songs and topics in the days ahead as I receive recommendations.

Songs and God’s Creation: Natural Revelation

1. Creation affirms that there is a Creator—God created heaven and earth

All Things Bright and Beautiful (Cecil F Alexander)
Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne—Psalm 100 (Isaac Watts / John Wesley)
God, the Lord, a King Remaineth—Psalm 93 (John Keble)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas Obediah Chisholm)
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah—Psalm 146 (The Psalter, 1912)
Hast Thou Not Known, Hast Thou Not Heard (Isaac Watts)
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis • Welsh melody)
The Spacious Firmament on High (Joseph Addison)
This Is My Father’s World (Maltbie Babcock)
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)
With Glory Clad, With Strength Arrayed—Psalm 93 (Tate and Brady’s New Version)
Wondrous King, All-Glorious (Joachim Neander / William Schaefer)

2. Creation glorifies God—all things exist for His glory and praise

All Creatures of Our God and King (St. Francis of Assisi / William H Draper)
All Glory to You (Steve and Vikki Cook) • Sovereign Grace Music
All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
All that I Am I Owe to Thee—Psalm 134:14–24 (The Psalter, 1912)
Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne—Psalm 100 (Isaac Watts / John Wesley)
Behold Our God (Ryan, Jonathan & Meghan Baird / Stephen Altrogge) • Sovereign Grace Music
Exalt the Lord, His Praise Proclaim—Psalm 135 (The Psalter, 1912)
For the Beauty of the Earth (Folliott Sandford Pierpoint)
From All That Dwell Below the Skies—Psalm 117 (Isaac Watts)
God, the Lord, a King Remaineth—Psalm 93 (John Keble)
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah—Psalm 146 (The Psalter, 1912)
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis • Welsh melody)
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Prudentius / J. Neale / H. Baker)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Joachim Neander / Catherine Winkworth)
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (Jonann Schütz / Francis Cox)
The Spacious Firmament on High (Joseph Addison)
This Is My Father’s World (Maltbie Babcock)
With Songs and Honors Sounding Loud—Psalm 147 (Isaac Watts)
Wondrous King, All-Glorious (Joachim Neander / William Schaefer)

3. Creation testifies of God’s wisdom and design

All that I Am I Owe to Thee—Psalm 134:14–24 (The Psalter, 1912)
Hast Thou Not Known, Hast Thou Not Heard (Isaac Watts)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Joachim Neander / Catherine Winkworth)
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)

4. The testimony of creation is insufficient for knowing the way of salvation.

Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)

5. The testimony of creation leaves man inexcusable

6. God delights in creation—all things were made for His pleasure

All Glory to You (Steve and Vikki Cook) • Sovereign Grace Music
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)

7. God made all of creation and pronounced it good

I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)

8. The world was spoken into existence by God’s Word.

I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (Prudentius / J. Neale / H. Baker)
Vast the Immensity, Mirror of Majesty (Edmund Clowney)

9. The world was created by God ex nihilio (out of nothing).

10. The world continues to be upheld and sustained by God

All Things Bright and Beautiful (Cecil F Alexander)
Exalt the Lord, His Praise Proclaim—Psalm 135 (The Psalter, 1912)
Forever Settled in the Heavens—Psalm 119:89–97 (The Psalter, 1912)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Thomas Obediah Chisholm)
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah—Psalm 146 (The Psalter, 1912)
Hast Thou Not Known, Hast Thou Not Heard (Isaac Watts)
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Isaac Watts)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis • Welsh melody)
Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above (Jonann Schütz / Francis Cox)
With Glory Clad, With Strength Arrayed—Psalm 93 (Tate and Brady’s New Version)
With Songs and Honors Sounding Loud—Psalm 147 (Isaac Watts)

11. God creates all people—He is the One who gives and sustains all life.

All People That on Earth Do Dwell—Psalm 100 (William Kethe / Thomas Ken)
Let All Things Now Living (Katherine Davis • Welsh melody)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Joachim Neander / Catherine Winkworth)

12. God created man (male and female) out of the dust of the earth

Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne—Psalm 100 (Isaac Watts / John Wesley)

13. Man was breathed into a living being by God.

14. God made man (male and female) in His own image

15. God gave man dominion over all other living things on the earth.

16. God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.

Today We Gather in This Place (Ken Puls) • Ken Puls Music

_______________

The next post in the series will be “Songs and God’s Word: Special Revelation.”

For more complete entries (including tunes and hymnal page numbers) see the Theological Index of Music and Worship online:

Entry for “Songs and God’s Creation”

TOC for Index: Theology and Song

Theology and Song

by Ken

October 15, 2019

6:22 am

1 Comment on Theology and Song

Hymn, Music for Worship, Psalm, Worship, Worship Song

Church Music, Theology, Worship

Music and theology have always been closely entwined. Theology (in the broadest sense) encompasses what we understand to be true about God, His Word, and the world He has made. Music, as it comes alongside theology, helps the church say and celebrate in song what it believes and affirms to be true.

God’s people have been writing music for thousands of years. Beginning with the rich wellspring of the psalms, music has served the church to carry the voice of God’s people in praise, prayer, and proclamation. Within the many settings of psalms, and numerous hymns and spiritual songs is an opulent banquet of truth. For those who are willing to search, there are many savory delights to be found.

Unfortunately many churches miss out on this feast of song. Some shy away from doctrinally rich lyrics and prefer instead those that are lighter and more subjective. Some, despite Paul’s paradigm in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, exhorting the church to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, impose a more narrow interpretation: “only the psalms,” “only the old hymns that have stood the test of time,” or “only what is new, contemporary, and speaks to me today.” Some are content to sing a limited number of favorites. Others select music based on emotional appeal or a catchy melody, rather than theological soundness.

In this new series, Theology and Song, I hope to encourage pastors and musicians to think theologically about music in worship. Each post will focus on a specific theological topic and will feature a portion of my Theological Index of Church Music.

I began the Index 26 years ago (in 1993) as a project for one of my PhD seminars when I was at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The index listed 350 psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and arranged them according to the theological truths that they highlight. It proved especially valuable in ministry for planning worship and selecting music that would underscore the sermon. You can read more about the Index in an earlier article: “Selecting Music for Worship—Know Theology.”

As I post this series on my blog, I will be updating and expanding the Index so I can make it available on my website as a resource for worship leaders. My list of songs will certainly not be exhaustive. I’ll be asking for your suggestions and adding songs (as well as more topics) to the Index in the days ahead.

Here is list of some of the upcoming topics: [updated]

Songs and God’s Creation (Natural Revelation)
Songs and God’s Word (Special Revelation)
Songs and the Trinity (One God in Three Persons)
Songs and Knowing God (God’s knowability and Incomprehensibility)
Songs and God’s Presence (God’s Immanence and Transcendence)
Songs and God’s Sovereignty
Songs and God’s Decrees
Songs and God’s Will

TOC for Index: Theology and Song

Lord We Come to Hear Your Word

by Ken

August 23, 2019

6:09 am

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Hymn, Music for Worship, Prayer, Worship

Church Music, Hymn, Pastor, Prayer, preaching, Worship

When we hear or read God’s Word, we should always pray for understanding and wisdom. And when we have opportunity to gather with the church and sit under the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, we should pray for the pastor. Apart from God’s grace, all our efforts to worship and serve Him will be in vain.

Lord We Come to Hear Your Word

A Prayer for God’s Grace in Worship

Lord, we come to hear Your Word.
Shine Your light! Unsheathe Your sword!
Send Your Spirit forth in pow’r.
Come and bless Your church this hour.
We confess, our thoughts have strayed;
Minds distracted and dismayed.
On the Son fix now each thought;
Help us worship as we ought.

Lord, as we prepare to hear,
Wake each soul, unstop each ear.
Conquer every stubborn heart;
Mercy, saving grace impart.
We confess, without Your grace,
Vain our efforts in this place.
Send illumination’s light;
Open eyes and give us sight.

Lord, we lift up to Your care
Him who stands now to declare
Truth that teaches, warns, consoles;
Bless this feast to feed our souls.
For Your Word, O Lord, we yearn;
Empty, let it not return.
Come, accomplish all Your will —
Draw, convict, give life and fill.

For Your Word, O Lord, we yearn;
Empty, let it not return.
Come, accomplish all Your will —
Draw, convict, give life and fill.
Draw, convict, give life and fill.

Listen to this setting of “Lord, We Come to Hear Your Word” recorded at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque, NM.

And download the music from band camp:

<a href="http://desertspringschurch.bandcamp.com/album/this-is-our-song">This Is Our Song by Desert Springs Church</a>

More Music on Bandcamp by Desert Springs Church

More Music on Bandcamp by Ken Puls

The Posture of Worship (Part 2)

by Ken

April 28, 2017

6:36 am

Leave a comment on The Posture of Worship (Part 2)

Sermons, Worship

Countenance, hypocrisy, posture, Prayer, Word of God, Worship

Last time in our series on worship, we began a study on what the Bible says about posture in worship.

So why is posture important? Why all the verses?

Why, in a day when we are called upon to worship God in Spirit and in truth, should we be concerned about our outward expressions of worship?

In our time together this evening I want to answer these questions. We will first discuss the importance of posture and then conclude with a right perspective on posture.

I. The importance of posture in worship

1. God made us to be both body and soul.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).

God created our bodies, as well as our souls. He made us of dust and breathed life in us. He made us to enjoy Him, not only in our souls, but in our bodies as well. He demands our obedience, not only in our hearts, but lived out in our bodies as well.

Paul refers to our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

God made our bodies to glorify Him. Paul exhorted the church:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

He desired that Christ be exalted in his own life lived out to God’s glory.

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death (Philippians 1:19–20).

We cannot separate body and soul. God has created us and wired us to be complete beings. What we do with the body affects the soul. What goes on in the soul is made manifest and expresses itself in the body.

Corporate worship of necessity involves the body.

We speak God’s Word.
We voice our prayers.
We sing with our lips.
We place our gifts and tithes in the offering plate.
We eat and drink at the Lord’s Table.

When we worship God, we worship Him in our bodies.

Oh, but some might say, “God is Spirit.” And we are to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. God is concerned with my heart and so what I do with my body is of little or no consequence.

It is true that we are to worship God in Spirit and in truth. But God informs us in His Word that He has given His Sprit to make us alive—in our bodies. His indwelling presence has made our bodies temples of worship. We are living sacrifices, dead to sin but alive unto Christ.

We cannot escape our bodies if we are to participate in the elements of worship. We can get into trouble and become imbalanced we disengage our body and soul. This can happen two ways.

We become so withdrawn or introspective that we no longer value what is happening around us—or concern ourselves with how we are reacting to what is happening around us. We think that we can hold our faith on the inside—in the domain of the heart—without caring that it ever shows on the outside.
We become so extroverted that we content ourselves with just going through the bodily motions and we disengage the heart. We think God will be pleased with our outward show of faith without caring that we really mean it on the inside.

Both of these dangers lead us down the road of hypocrisy. When God truly pierces us with His Word, it affects body and soul!

Truth rightly understood in the heart—on the inside—will compel us to live out truth and rightly apply it—on the outside.

Worship begins in the heart—in the mind (focusing and directing our thoughts), then the will (determining our actions), and our emotions (flooding and spilling out into our feelings). As the truth of God’s Word dawns in our thinking by the illuminating power of the Spirit, we are brought to sorrow and repentance over our sin—we are brought to joy and faith in the salvation and forgiveness of sin found in Christ. And we are spurred into action and obedience as the reality of God’s work on the inside is expressed and lived out on the outside.

We need truth, but we need the Spirit to quicken us and make that truth alive and active in our hearts and in our lives. Truth is not just for the mind—it is for the whole of our being.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Truth has implications and demands on our hands and feet as well as our minds and intellect.

Known truth must be practiced truth. Doctrine must find its way to devotion.

[This excerpt is from a sermon entitled “The Posture of Worship (Part 2)” in the series Thoughts on Worship. Continue reading the full sermon text here.]

Read also “The Posture of Worship (Part 1)”

See more Sermons and Articles by Ken Puls

The Posture of Worship (Part 1)

by Ken

April 20, 2017

6:33 am

1 Comment on The Posture of Worship (Part 1)

Sermons, Worship

Countenance, posture, Prayer, Worship

The Bible has much to say about our posture in worship. This can be seen in two specific points:

I. The meanings of the two words, translated most often in Scripture as “worship” in both the Old and New Testament, refer to posture.

The Hebrew verb shacah in the Old Testament means to become low or to bow down as an act of reverence. It depicts a physical act that symbolizes what we do when we worship—showing reverence to God, acknowledging Him as the Most High, humbling ourselves, making ourselves low—in His presence. The term describes the worship of Israel at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple:

When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever” (2 Chronicles 7:1-3).

And in the psalms:

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
(Psalms 95:6)

In the New Testament proskuneo is the Greek term most often translated “worship.” It has a similar meaning: to bow down, become low or kiss toward.

It is the verb used when the wisemen came to Bethlehem to see Jesus after seeing His star in the East.

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

This is the term used in Matthew 4 when Satan tempted Jesus:

And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (Matthew 4:9–10).

It is the verb used after the resurrection when Jesus greets the women near the empty tomb:

And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him (Matthew 28:9).

And before His ascension into heaven when His disciples worshipped Him:

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted (Matthew 28:16–17).

It describes the worship of the church on earth. Paul speaks of an unbeliever coming into a worship service and being convinced that God is truly present. He says of the unbeliever:

And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you (1 Corinthians 14:25).

This is a physical expression of worship—not just bowing down to God in the heart, but bowing down with the body.

Proskuneo describes the worship in heaven as well:

The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne (Revelation 4:10).

It is the word (both noun and verb) used five times in John 4:20–24 where Jesus teaches:

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Some have interpreted Jesus’ words here to mean that God is only concerned about our spirit in worship—only interested in what is happening on the inside—the externals are of no importance or consequence.

I submit to you that this is a misinterpretation of these verses. Jesus was not teaching here that the body no longer mattered. He was teaching that our worship must be alive in the power of the Spirit and informed and in submission to the authority of His Word.

Truth must first be received and understood and grasped by the heart, but when truth grips us—when it really matters to us—when it really affects us—it will be borne out—visibly displayed—made apparent and lived out in our bodies.

What does it look like when we worship God? What should it look like? What affect should truth have on our physical expression—on our countenance—if we really get it? When we look into God’s Word, we see that He has much to say concerning our posture and expression in worship. He is concerned not only with what we are communicating directly to Him on the inside in our hearts—but also what we are communicating on the outside to those around us.

God alone is worthy of our worship. He alone is Most High. And we are to express our worship to Him in both body and heart. So how then can we know what is appropriate and fitting as we physically express our devotion to God in worship? Here the Scripture gives us a wealth of information.

[This excerpt is from a sermon entitled “The Posture of Worship (Part 1)” in the series Thoughts on Worship. You can read the full sermon text here.]

See more Sermons and Articles by Ken Puls

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Songs and God’s Creation: Natural Revelation

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