| I. | God/Christ and the plan of redemption should be the focus and theme. | Scripture |
|---|---|---|
| II. | Message in lyrics must not in any way contradict the Word of God. | Scripture |
| III. | The words of the song should be proper, tasteful, and comply with Philippians 4:8. | Scripture |
| IV. | The lyrics should not be vainly repetitious like a pagan's prayer. | Scripture |
| V. | The song should be offered as unto God, prayerfully, and not in a loud, boisterous, jesting, formal or trite manner. | Scripture |
| VI. | Praises should be surrendered voluntarily and cheerfully, not in a mournful minor key, nor with half-heartedness. | Scripture |
| VII. | The song should be timed with a well-ordered, steady, and predictable rhythm--one which enobles the senses and allows the heart to beat naturally. | Scripture |
I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
Take an harp, ...make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord...
Let all things be done decently and in order.