The Worship Review

We often say that it would be best if churches found ways to sing scripture. This week's song--'Preserve Me O God'--is exactly that. Here Matthew David Montgomery digs directly into the well-used 'blue' psalter ( The Book of Psalms for Worship ) for an adaptation of Psalm 16.

This week, you're guaranteed to recognize the tune! TwoForChrist, a ministry of married couple Nick and Haley Gaglione, recently uploaded a live rendition of their cover of Survivor's Eye of the Tiger. The lyrics have been mostly swapped out for novel, motivational Christian lyrics. While the performance has found a lot of attention online, we have yet to see anyone address the song's message. We...

Was Mary 'blameless'? How does the High Street Hymns' version of 'Creator of the Stars of Night' compare to the 19th century translation, or that Latin original for that matter?

Who would have thought that a poem set to the tune "Greensleeves" ( A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves ) would become one of the most popular Christmas hymns? What is with all of the rhetorical questions anyway? In this episode, we revisit the question of singing angels (with more prooftexts). We also dig into the gifts brought the infant Christ (frankincense, gold, myrrh) to find Old...

This week, Colin and Tyler engage the most pressing question in all of Christian history: did the angels that announced Jesus birth sing? Yes, we went there. Listen to the review of Zach William's version of the classic "Go Tell It On the Mountain".

We are continuing our series on Christmas/Advent music. This week's episode discusses a poem by Ambrose of Milan, translated into German by Martin Luther, translated into English by William M. Reynolds. After crying out for the advent of the Savior, "Savior of the Nations, Come" invites us to marvel at the wonder of Christ's birth and the hypostatic union, to sing in awe at our King's great triump...

How important are verbs in a song? What does it mean to celebrate Christmas in worship? Colin and Tyler think through these issues as they consider 'Born Is The King (It's Christmas)' by Hillsong.

This week we're going through the lyrics of We Have Been Healed by Sovereign Grace Music. This song describes a "glorious exchange": all our sin for God's grace. What a concept to rejoice over and meditate on! Also, we read and discuss some of the Scriptural references in this song. Song URL: https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/we-have-been-healed/ VERSE 1 You bore our sins in Your body As...

 One of the earliest protestant songs in history, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was recently updated by the Gettys and Tommy Bailey. Tyler and Colin review this song lyric by lyric.

This week, as a part of our new Excellent Songs series, we're looking at Caroline Cobb's "The Passover Song." This song draws on two Biblical narratives at the same time: the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt through the Passover, and the salvation of sinful humans by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VjILH2YNUc Caroline Cobb: https://www.carolin...

This week, we look back on series five and examine the Dove Award winners of the last ten years. It turns out almost all of them have very similar tempos! Colin & Tyler then turn to discuss the new direction the podcast is taking.

The second of a two-part discussion on what distinguishes 'great' worship songs. We talk about what makes a song singable and congregational, as well as share concerns about distracting music.

The first of a two-part discussion on what distinguishes 'great' worship songs. This part consider objective versus subjective truth, the presence of scripture as well as the gospel. 

When during the year should we sing about the incarnation? Should we refer to Christ as the Church's "lover"? Colin and Tyler, along with guest host Daniel J. Mount of the Expository Songs Project , discuss these questions and many more as we evaluate the song "From the Squalor of a Borrowed Stable" by Stuart Townend.

This week we're joined by Daniel Mount, a songwriter, worship leader and veteran of the Christian music industry. Daniel has compiled a database of tens of thousands of hymns and worship songs, The Expository Songs Project. Rather than being arranged, thematically, songs are listed under chapters of the Bible, and are included in the project if they exposit or reference that passage. We also discu...

Why do bad things happen to good people? The song 'Unfinished' by Mandisha explores weighty themes like this. In addition to reviewing the song, Tyler and Colin also engage in a side discussion on the work of Sufjan Stevens.

This week Artur and Caitlin (S05.E21) join us to talk about "Gewagte Liebe", a German version of Reckless Love. How will this translation hold up compared to the original? What is cat theology? In what way is this song like a Coke Zero? Tune in to find out. Verse 1: Bevor ich ein Wort sprach, sangst du Lieder über mich. Du warst schon immer gut zu mir. Du hast mich geformt, mir Leben eingehaucht....

Artur and Caitlin are a church-planting couple from Germany. In this interview, we discuss the unique challenges and opportunities they face--and also their perspective on worship music.

Have we got a show for you! This week we're looking at Only Jesus by Casting Crowns: nominated for a GMA Dove award in 2019 and a Grammy in 2020, this song emphasizes that Jesus is the only name to be remembered. Frontman and songwriter says: "The more I think about it the more I'm reminded that anything in me that's worth remembering are the things that Jesus has worked on, and is still working o...

In this episode, Colin and Tyler examine the lyrics of "There Was Jesus" by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton. 

"Holy Water" peaked at #2 on the Billboard Christian charts. Its eponymous album rose to #4 on Billboard's top Christian albums charts. In addition to winning the GMA Dove award for Pop/Contemporary album of the year, this album also received a Grammy for top Christian album of the year. This week we're taking a deep dive into the lyrics and talking about the concept of holy water in the Bible and...

Dave Seip of King's Way Talk joins Tyler and Colin to discuss the popular song "Chain Breaker" by Zach Williams.

This week Dave from Kings Way Talk joins us for an encouraging conversation about worship music, lyrical content of church music, and the tuba. Dave is a podcaster and blogger and a member of his church's preaching team. We discuss the concept of churches "banning" certain publishers outright, the importance of the individual conscience in leading music, and caution against throwing babies out wit...

This week Colin and Tyler, along with guest host Nathan Partain--worship leader, pastor and musician at Redeemer Indianapolis--talk through the lyrics of award winning song 'All My Hope'.

Nathan Partain of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, is a worship leader and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of America. Aside from leading his congregation's music ministry, Nathan is engaged in songwriting and has a long history recording and producing msuci, particularly, though not exclusively, Christian worship music for the local church. Nathan shares about his journey to le...