Worship in Song: A Biblical Approach to Music and Worship (Revised and Expanded)

Grounding worship in the authority of the unchanging Word of God—not the whims of secular culture—Scott Aniol shows how our patterns of music consumption have the power to shape our minds, affections, and will. Unlike many treatments of music in worship, the author not only articulates how the Word of God should inform our musical habits on the Lord’s Day, but he also shows how Scripture speaks to our enjoyment of music throughout the week. In this nuanced treatment, which also values psalm-singing, you will find the seasoned reflections of a gifted pastor, theologian, and musician on a much-needed topic in our day. Above all, the author shows how worshiping God in song is a key element of doxology as we seek to live all of life for the glory of God. Here is reading that is both seasonable and refreshing.

— Joel R. Beeke 
Chancellor and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, and pastor of Heritage Reformed Congregation, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Read Worship in Song by Scott Aniol and get ready to enter into the world of the beauty and glory of music. You will not find a more careful, methodical, clear and practical unfolding of the meaning and usefulness of music. What you can expect from this book is an inspiring testimony of God’s purpose of music; a historical analysis; a comprehensive manual on music; a theological treasure trove; a training manual for churches! Scott carefully handles the most difficult and controversial questions about music. Read this book and be shown the bedrock foundation of the sufficiency of Scripture, and then rise to the top of the towering skyscraper reaching to heaven which is the divine purpose of music. If you are a pastor desiring to improve the culture of music in your church, this book is for you. You will find years’ worth of remarkable quotations that Scott has included in this treasure trove of wisdom. 

— Scott Brown
President, Church and Family Life, Wake Forest, North Carolina

Scott Aniol is one of the finest writers on the subject of music and its role in worship to glorify God. He is a unicorn who combines theological wisdom, musical expertise, and pastoral prudence. As a revised and expanded edition of the original 2009 work, this volume is even better than it was the first time around, benefitting from many experiences and formulation over the past fifteen years. A unique feature of this book is how expertly Aniol addresses the importance of choosing music for worship that aligns with God, not necessarily copying the forms and emotionalism so prevalent. This must-get book for your church understands well how weekly worship follows and is instructed on biblical preaching. If the first edition was a clarion call to eschew pragmatism and depend on revealed teachings about worship—fruit that lasts—this trumpet blast is even clearer and stronger.

— David Hall
Senior Pastor, Midway Presbyterian Church, Powder Springs, Georgia

Worship in Song is one of the most insightful explanations of biblical worship that I have ever read. Pastor Scott Aniol harmonizes the concepts of God’s beauty, aesthetics, affection for God, accurate theology, and musical expertise unlike any other book on this subject. I enthusiastically recommend Worship in Song as a must-read for pastors, church music directors, and all Christian musicians who sincerely desire to lead their congregations to worship God in spirit and in truth.

 — Michael W. Harding
Pastor Emeritus, First Baptist Church, Troy, Michigan

Aniol writes that we praise what we love and value; therefore, sacred music should be about the beauty of God. As a pastor, I am constantly seeking insights on worship, especially in the context of the church gathered. Of the books I have read on worship as related to music, I believe Worship in Song to be the best. Aniol gives an intellectual, scripturally-laced argument that is well worth serious study by those interested in congregational worship. 

— Gary Gilley
Senior Pastor, Southern View Chapel, Springfield, Illinois

Unhappily, the controversy about worship style has degenerated into arguments based on personal preference, particularly regarding what kind of music is acceptable. Far too frequently, advocates for both “contemporary music” and “traditional music,” while giving verbal testimony to their concern for God’s glory, defend their positions with man-centered reasoning. Although proponents of neither position would admit it, what pleases people often takes precedence over any consideration of what pleases the Lord. Scott Aniol’s treatment of this hot topic is refreshingly and delightfully different. Throughout, his analysis is God-focused, biblically based, thought provoking, and practical. He argues convincingly that music is not neutral and that there are indeed music styles that have infiltrated the church that are absolutely inappropriate for acceptable service unto the Lord. I highly recommend Worship in Song for any who are serious about worshiping the Lord in keeping with the beauty of His holiness, especially in song—an integral element in biblical worship. 

— Michael P. V. Barrett
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Academic Dean, and Professor of Old Testament at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Scott exemplifies personally the God-centered music philosophy he’s urging upon churches corporately. He’s become known for his gracious, scriptural conservatism, movingly ministered through beautiful music wed to sound theology. I rejoice that the Lord has burdened him to help churches develop even more scriptural conviction and passion for Christ through its music ministries. 

— Mark Minnick
Senior Pastor, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Greenville, South Carolina

I warmly commend Scott Aniol’s excellent book, Worship in Song, which is thorough, engaging, and full of wisdom about a matter that needs plenty of wisdom. Among its many virtues, readers will appreciate: Its teaching on the integration of mind, will, and affection/emotion within the human, and the consequent demand for discipleship that challenges us to think, act, and feel appropriately; The clear discussion of the distinction between passion and affection (and the consequent distinction between true sentiment and sentimentality); The emphasis on cultivating right affection as a matter of discipleship and sanctification; The distinction between those affections that are right for some objects (e.g. wife, pet, God) but not for others, which calls us to recognize that some affections are disordered, and out of accord with created nature; The instruction regarding how the music we listen to outside of sacred assemblies influences us when we are there; The distinction between four levels of meaning, and the clear articulation of the “intrinsic” meaning of music; which is critical for our moment.

— T. David Gordon
Retired Professor and author of Why Johnny Can’t Sing Hymns: How Pop Culture Re-Wrote the Hymnal

I am excited to recommend Worship in Song to anyone involved with the ministry of church music today. Scott Aniol has given us a fresh, new approach to a timely and important issue. In this easy-to-read volume we can recognize how Scott’s understanding of music, culture, and Scripture comes together to give the reader concise and relevant information upon which to build a solid, biblical philosophy of music. This book will be a great benefit to any pastor or music director who is seeking answers to the musical questions they face in their ministry.

— Tim Fisher
Music Pastor, Faith Baptist Church, Taylors, South Carolina

Author Bio

Scott Aniol, PhD, is President of G3 Ministries and Professor of Pastoral Theology at Grace Bible Theological Seminary. He is the author of a dozen books including, Changed from Glory into Glory: The Liturgical Story of the Christian Faith, Let the Little Children Come: Family Worship on Sunday and the Other Six Days, Too, Biblical Foundations of Corporate Worship, and Musing on God's Music: Forming Hearts of Praise with the Psalms.