Book Review: Musing on God's Music by Scott Aniol

The book of Psalms is one of the most popular books of the Bible and perhaps the most read book of the Old Testament. Some have called the book of Psalms, "God's songbook" or "God's Hymnbook." 

Many of the Psalms, if not all of them, have been converted in songs of worship for the church. I personally have a playlist on Spotify that have the Psalms set to music by various musicians such as Sovereign Grace, The Corner Room, Already Not Yet, CityAlight, and more. 

The Psalms were important to the people of God during the Old and New Testament times as well as the church in years past. Many churches have sung the Psalms but there are some churches that want to sing more modern songs that are not biblical. 

In Scott Aniol's latest book, Musing on God's Music, he dives into the book of Psalms and the importance of singing these songs in the church today. Aniol beings with the foundation of praise by looking into the first three Psalms.

Aniol takes five chapters in the middle of the book to go through the division of the Psalms which he calls a five-movement cantata. Each of the five books of the Psalms were set by accident. These were set with a certain order in mind. According to Aniol, a decline in the use of the Psalms is due to not recognizing this deliberate organization. 

The final section of the book addresses how can we use the Psalms to lead us to true blessedness and praise. A way to look at the Psalm is them in light of the gospel. Aniol gives a list of the Psalms in various categories that are classify their gospel function for the believer today. As we look into the Psalms, they will shape our hearts to repent, be thankful, trust and praise the Lord. 

The Psalms tend to be looked at as more of an inspiration book to many Christians rather than a book of worship. Aniol's book will help you realize the Psalms are God inspired songs for us to sing. Now, he is not arguing for strict Psalmody as some believers think our worship should be, but Aniol does really well to present the Psalm as God's music as the title of his book says.

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review.