Book Review: The Sing Hymnal

I did not grow up in a traditional church. I knew what hymnals were and over time, our church moved away from using a physical hymnal to just having the words of a song in our bulletin. The church I attended during my college years used a hymnal which I thought was strange, but I discovered a lot of my favorite worship songs were in the hymnal. 

Sadly, over the years, many churches have gone away from using a hymnal or hymns in general. There is a resurgence happening where more and more churches are using hymnals while at the same time, more modern hymnals are being written which infuses modern worship songs with hymns of long ago. The Sing Hymnal is now being added to the list of brand-new hymnals being published for the body of Christ to use in their corporate worship gatherings. 

This hymnal has a collection of modern worship songs mixed with songs that have been around for year. Some of the modern songs include ones written by Keith & Kristyn Getty, who were the main contributors to this hymnal, Matt Boswell, Sovereign Grace Music, and a couple of songs from Chris Tomlin. In case you were wondering, I did not see any song from Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation Worship bands. 

This hymnal also contains a collection of verses in the English Standard Version (ESV) and quotes from various Christian theologians. I will admit there are some in there that I would have left out, but that in itself should not take away from how good this hymnal was put together. 

Just like any other hymnals, there are different topics match with the appropriate song for that topic. I was surprised they had a section for the Psalms. However, this was my one big disappointment with this hymnal. While they had many songs based on the Psalms, they did not cover all 150 of them. Not sure why the Getty's omitted some of them, but I thought it was a real shame they did not include songs based on all of the Psalms. My hope is they will release a follow-up to this with a Sing Psalter similar to what The Master's Seminary did with their Hymns of Grace and produced their Psalms of Grace.

Overall, a well put together hymnal for the church to use not just corporately, but also in their homes whether in private worship or singing with friends and family. 

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

Lyric Video: In Christ Alone by Keith & Kristyn Getty with CityALight

Music Monday: Christ Our Hope in Life and Death by Keith & Kristyn Getty

Music Monday: Fullness of Grace by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Music Monday: Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Kristyn Getty

Music Monday: Oh, How Good It Is by Keith & Kristyn Getty

Music Monday: Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven by Keith & Kristyn Getty

Book Review: Sing by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Keith and Kristyn Getty are a well known husband and wife duo that has led worship for many churches and conferences. They are also known for writing many worship songs that most churches sing today. There most famous song is "In Christ Alone", which has been featured a time or two on this blog.

The Getty's have put together a book that calls for the church to worship the Lord not just in the church, but also in life and family. The book is titled, Sing. One of the purposes of this book is to show the church the importance of singing. Many in the church do not like to sing not because they don't like the song, but that they don't have an eloquent singing voice or other various reasons. The Getty's write about the importance of singing because the church has been known as a singing people. If you read through the Bible, you will see various songs (most of them in the Psalms), where the people of God celebrated what the Lord has done. 1 Peter tells us we are God's special possession declaring his excellences of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

The Getty's echo what the Lord said in Isaiah 43:7 that we are created to for God's glory. We are created to sing the praises of God. Not only that we are commanded to sing. Many time in the Bible, we see the people of God commanded to sing to the Lord. In the New Testament we are commanded to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making music in our hearts to the Lord. We are also compelled to sing. When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and saw what God did to deliver them from Egypt, they sang a song.

Christians are called to sing to and with one another, but we are also called to sing in everyday life. Hopefully, you attend a church that cares about the songs it sings because those truths can resonate in our hearts as the work week begins. The Getty's wrote the Psalms are the best tool for teaching us what to sing and how to apply the gospel in everyday life. The Getty's wrote about the importance of singing with your family. Whether it is with an instrument or not, families in the home can sing unto the Lord. We are called to sing with our brothers and sisters in the local church as the Bible clearly shows. The church not only sings to exhort one another, but show witness to the lost whether they are in the church building or out with us in the world. The church is a singing people.

The Getty's have four appendixes in the book called "Bonus Track" (sounds right for musicians) on how the church can encourage singing and lead worship. There is one for pastors and elders. Another on worship leaders and musicians along with a church choir. Finally, instructions for songwriters.

I have been a fan of the Getty's for a few years now. I have really enjoyed their music. So when I heard they were writing a book, I knew it was going to a good one and I was right. This is one of the best books on worship I have read. It not only deals with an individual Christian, but the church in general.

Thanks B&H Publishing for letting me review this book.

Music Monday: Behold The Lamb (Communion Hymn) by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Music Monday: Songs from Resonate Church, Doxology, and the Gettys

The first video is "Power of the Blood" from Resonate Church.



Next, we have "Nearer, My God To Thee" from Doxology.



Finally, "The Lord Is My Salvation" from Keith & Kristyn Getty.

Music Monday: Living Waters by Keith & Kristyn Getty

This song is from the Gettys' latest album, Facing a Task Unfinished

Music Monday: Facing A Task Unfinished by Keith & Kristyn Getty

Music Monday: Two New Albums I Highly Recommend

Beneath The Canopy by The Village Church

Keith & Kristyn Getty: Live at the Gospel Coalition