Preface 1
1. The Path to the Present 3
Part One: Why God's People Gather 27
2. The New Worship 29
Answers Old and New
Jesus and the Worship Revolution
Conclusion
3. The New Wine 41
The Difference Jesus Makes
Worship and Coming Together
The Importance of Edification
Conclusion
4. The New Wineskins 57
What's at Stake in the 'Worship' Debate?
Singing, Worship and Edification
Conclusion
Part Two: Why God's People Sing 71
5. Singing as Praise I: Nature and Obstacles 73
The Relevance of the Psalter
The Nature of Biblical Praise
The Battle for Biblical Praise
Conclusion
6. Singing as Praise II: Strategies and Practice 95
From Prison to Praise
Three Strategic Solutions
How, then, Shall we Praise?
Conclusion
7. Singing as Prayer I: Nature and Value 117
Singing as a Form of Prayer
The Value of Singing Prayers
Incentives and Obstacles to Singing the Psalms
Conclusion
8. Singing as Prayer II: Questions and Implications 143
What Other Prayers Might We Sing?
What Should Accompany Sung Prayer?
What Are the Practical Implications?
Conclusion
9. Singing as Preaching I: Old Covenant Soundings 171
Worship and Edification
Singing and Preaching in the Old Testament
What Are the Implications?
Conclusion
10. Singing as Preaching II: New Covenant Explorations 197
Jesus' Pattern of Ministry
The Place of Song in Paul's Churches
The Hymns of the Apocalypse
Conclusion
Part Three: Helping God's People Change 223
11. Three Keys to Musical Reformation 225
Educating Christian Pastors
Equipping Church Musicians
Encouraging Christian Congregations
Conclusion
12. The Road Ahead 247
Appendices
Appendix I: The Relationship Between Lament and Praise 261
Lament as the Pathway to Praise
Lament as Praising in the Dark
Appendix II: Approaches to Psalm Singing 267
Metrical Psalms
Plainsong
Anglican Chant
Historical Adaptations
Contemporary Adaptations
Conclusion
Appendix III: Music, Emotion and Bodily Expression 271
Music and Bodily Movement
Bodily Movement and Emotions
Conclusion
Appendix IV: Music and Lyrics 281
Text
Tune
Fit
Conclusion
Bibliography 293