Basic Principles of Worship Music

Because worshiper and worship cannot be treated independently of each other, Christians must understand the biblical principles that apply to the use of worship music. Dan G. MacCartney, in his article, "Music and the Worship of the Living God," enumerates these principles:

1. The worship of God, and, thus, also the music of worship, should correspond to God's character. How we worship should reflect the kind of God He is. This correspondence principle underlies all other principles.

2. The worship of God, and hence, the music of worship, should exhibit the joyful reverence and awe. This we may call the holiness principle.

3. The worship of God, and , thus, the music of worship, must conform to God's own prescriptions for worship, as contained in His Word. This we commonly call the regulative principle.

4. The worship of God, and, thus, the music of worship, should involve the whole worshiper and not just cognitive but also aesthetic, emotional, and physical aspects of our being. This is a holistic principle.

5. The worship of God, and, thus, the music of worship, should embody the best the worshiper can do. I will term this the excellence principle.

Source: Faithwalk, Vol.3, No.1, 2003, p. 26.