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Redemption Song: A Primer on Singing for the People of God
Experience True A Fresh Look at Singing God’s Praise
Drawing from the ancient Song of Moses, this transformative guide takes you on a journey to discover the heart of authentic Christian worship. Moving beyond the tired “contemporary vs. traditional” debates, the book explores eleven powerful insights that will reshape how you think about singing in church.
Whether you’re a passionate worship leader or someone who struggles to engage in corporate singing, this book meets you where you are. Through careful biblical analysis and practical wisdom, it shows how singing isn’t just a warm–up for the sermon—it’s a vital act of worship that engages our whole mind, heart, and imagination.
You’ll learn why God’s people sing, how to sing with both joy and reverence, and what it means to truly worship in spirit and truth. The author skillfully addresses both “artists” and “engineers” in the church, showing how God’s Word speaks to different temperaments and personalities in worship.
Written with pastoral warmth and theological depth, this primer on congregational singing will help you move from merely mouthing words to experiencing the deep joy of praising God alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Drawing from the ancient Song of Moses, this transformative guide takes you on a journey to discover the heart of authentic Christian worship. Moving beyond the tired “contemporary vs. traditional” debates, the book explores eleven powerful insights that will reshape how you think about singing in church.
Whether you’re a passionate worship leader or someone who struggles to engage in corporate singing, this book meets you where you are. Through careful biblical analysis and practical wisdom, it shows how singing isn’t just a warm–up for the sermon—it’s a vital act of worship that engages our whole mind, heart, and imagination.
You’ll learn why God’s people sing, how to sing with both joy and reverence, and what it means to truly worship in spirit and truth. The author skillfully addresses both “artists” and “engineers” in the church, showing how God’s Word speaks to different temperaments and personalities in worship.
Written with pastoral warmth and theological depth, this primer on congregational singing will help you move from merely mouthing words to experiencing the deep joy of praising God alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ.
96 pages, Hardcover
Published July 8, 2025
6 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 21, 2025
How many modern books on congregational singing can you think of right now?
I can think of five or less. If you include those about corporate worship in general, maybe ten. DeMars’ Redemption Song: A Primer on Singing for the People of God fills a gap for pastors and song leaders alike by providing a brief exposition of Exodus 15. He finds “a description of and prescription for corporate worship that has much to say to the modern church” (11).
Fuller review incoming on 9Marks.org, Lord willing.
I can think of five or less. If you include those about corporate worship in general, maybe ten. DeMars’ Redemption Song: A Primer on Singing for the People of God fills a gap for pastors and song leaders alike by providing a brief exposition of Exodus 15. He finds “a description of and prescription for corporate worship that has much to say to the modern church” (11).
Fuller review incoming on 9Marks.org, Lord willing.
December 22, 2025
A very very quick and simple read that would probably be incredibly helpful for any church to read. I was convicted, and I will be singing even more heartily, thankfully, and joyfully at our next service!
“He has called us to worship His holy name, and He has shown us how to do so faithfully. He even writes sample songs for us! So sing like the gospel is real and you have been saved by it. Sing like Jesus is Lord and His Word is sufficient. Sing like the Spirit lives in you and is guiding you home. Sing like you are both an exile in a foreign land and a citizen of the celestial city, because that’s exactly who you are. Sing the Song of Moses, the song of the Lamb, to a lost and dying world that desperately needs to hear the soundtrack of redemption.”
Pg. 74
“Listen to me, men. You were created to lead, and you were created to sing. Your Father God sings (Zeph. 3:17), and so should you. I understand that much of the modern evangelical church has been feminized in its music ministry which can make singing feel awkward and unnatural for men. That needs to change. But you must be an active part of the solution, not a grumbling addition to the problem. You must insist on reclaiming the human voice as an instrument in the war against sin and hell and death. Act like a man (1 Cor. 16:13) and sing like a warrior going out to battle, because in a very real sense, that’s who you are (2 Tim. 2:1–4).”
Pg. 58
“We would do well to remember that God’s designs for worship are always more beautiful than ours. When churches worship God in ways that are in opposition to His Word—no matter the aesthetic, no matter the quality of the musicianship, no matter the skill of the lighting technicians, or the emotional experience of those in attendance—if worship is not biblical, it is not beautiful.”
Pg. 83
“He has called us to worship His holy name, and He has shown us how to do so faithfully. He even writes sample songs for us! So sing like the gospel is real and you have been saved by it. Sing like Jesus is Lord and His Word is sufficient. Sing like the Spirit lives in you and is guiding you home. Sing like you are both an exile in a foreign land and a citizen of the celestial city, because that’s exactly who you are. Sing the Song of Moses, the song of the Lamb, to a lost and dying world that desperately needs to hear the soundtrack of redemption.”
Pg. 74
“Listen to me, men. You were created to lead, and you were created to sing. Your Father God sings (Zeph. 3:17), and so should you. I understand that much of the modern evangelical church has been feminized in its music ministry which can make singing feel awkward and unnatural for men. That needs to change. But you must be an active part of the solution, not a grumbling addition to the problem. You must insist on reclaiming the human voice as an instrument in the war against sin and hell and death. Act like a man (1 Cor. 16:13) and sing like a warrior going out to battle, because in a very real sense, that’s who you are (2 Tim. 2:1–4).”
Pg. 58
“We would do well to remember that God’s designs for worship are always more beautiful than ours. When churches worship God in ways that are in opposition to His Word—no matter the aesthetic, no matter the quality of the musicianship, no matter the skill of the lighting technicians, or the emotional experience of those in attendance—if worship is not biblical, it is not beautiful.”
Pg. 83
July 19, 2025
How are we to properly worship God through song in the local church gathering?
Using Exodus 15:1-21, Sean DeMars reveals to the reader how God's people are drawn to worship him not just through a mere historical recounting of their salvation, but through the beauty of song. Singing is a foundational response for God's people to demonstrate their love for God.
DeMars' highlights eleven insights from this passage. He argues these insights are relevant for today because, "The fundamental pattern of worship has not changed since the days of Moses, because the same God who led Israel to worship Him by the sea is the same God who leads us to worship Him in the church, and the nature and character of our God never changes (James 1:17)" (p.12).
These insights cover thy why, who, what, and how of worship through song. The insight that stands out the most was Sing as Leader. This insight has clear, direct connection to the role of a pastor or elder in setting the example for the congregation. But even more convicting were DeMars' words towards fathers and women. To fathers, he questions, "If your children grow up to worship God the way you do on a Sunday morning, would you be proud of their worship? Would they sing heartily and happily? Or would they be passive, dreary, and disinterested participants?" (p.58). Addressing women, he writes, "Every woman in the church should aspire to be a Titus 2 woman, the kind of woman who trains younger women in what it looks like to follow Jesus as a woman. And singing is a part of that. To my sisters in Christ, do you understand that younger women in the church are looking at you to see what it looks like to worship God? When they look at you, what do they see?" (p.59).
This brief book is an excellent resource for pastors, elders, and worship leaders in understanding the role singing plays in the local gathering. We cannot treat singing as an add-on to the worship service, selecting songs and performances that simply sound good, evoke emotion, and "warm up" the congregation for the pastor. For congregants, this books outlines the purpose of singing and re-direct our affections towards our Savior Jesus Christ as we worship through song.
Using Exodus 15:1-21, Sean DeMars reveals to the reader how God's people are drawn to worship him not just through a mere historical recounting of their salvation, but through the beauty of song. Singing is a foundational response for God's people to demonstrate their love for God.
DeMars' highlights eleven insights from this passage. He argues these insights are relevant for today because, "The fundamental pattern of worship has not changed since the days of Moses, because the same God who led Israel to worship Him by the sea is the same God who leads us to worship Him in the church, and the nature and character of our God never changes (James 1:17)" (p.12).
These insights cover thy why, who, what, and how of worship through song. The insight that stands out the most was Sing as Leader. This insight has clear, direct connection to the role of a pastor or elder in setting the example for the congregation. But even more convicting were DeMars' words towards fathers and women. To fathers, he questions, "If your children grow up to worship God the way you do on a Sunday morning, would you be proud of their worship? Would they sing heartily and happily? Or would they be passive, dreary, and disinterested participants?" (p.58). Addressing women, he writes, "Every woman in the church should aspire to be a Titus 2 woman, the kind of woman who trains younger women in what it looks like to follow Jesus as a woman. And singing is a part of that. To my sisters in Christ, do you understand that younger women in the church are looking at you to see what it looks like to worship God? When they look at you, what do they see?" (p.59).
This brief book is an excellent resource for pastors, elders, and worship leaders in understanding the role singing plays in the local gathering. We cannot treat singing as an add-on to the worship service, selecting songs and performances that simply sound good, evoke emotion, and "warm up" the congregation for the pastor. For congregants, this books outlines the purpose of singing and re-direct our affections towards our Savior Jesus Christ as we worship through song.
December 1, 2025
I always love concise and edifying books! All church members should read this book and it will encourage you to sing more joyfully on Sunday morning. And some amazing, accessible chapters on the regulative principle. (You can probably read this book in an hour or two).
November 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this quick book. I have heard about Sean DeMars from the American Gospel, so I was looking forward to this book. He has some good insight on how we should worship and what our heart posture should be. Always a good reminder and I do not read a lot of books about worship, so I particularly liked this one.
July 27, 2025
A great primer on worship from The Song of Moses in Exodus 15. Highly recommended for anyone who leads worship at their church.
November 4, 2025
The book is about a song, yes, but do not be deceived! The contents of the book itself is not actually a song
November 10, 2025
Wonderfully helpful, short, concise, and grounded in the scripture. Beautiful exposition of the song of Moses.
December 7, 2025
A very helpful primer on thinking about worship, especially singing but all of worship. Will leave you informed but also curious to study more
July 11, 2025
A very short and clear book on the ministry of singing in the local church. Sean writes with a pastoral heart and a warm tone. Highly recommended for church leaders and members.
July 6, 2025
I think the appendices on the Regulative Principle and examples is worth the price of the book alone.
March 6, 2025
"Redemption Song: A Primer On Singing for the People of God" is precisely the kind of resource the church needs today. In less than 70 pages (not counting the appendices), Sean Demars develops a series of successive insights on the nature of singing as a function of Christian discipleship, each of them building on one another to challenge the reader, no matter what stage of life or level of maturity.
A grade schooler could read this and be ministered to just as well as a seasoned worship leader, because the insights are simultaneously simple and profound. Beginning with the most self-evident insight, that God's people are a singing people, Sean takes the needed time to lay a foundation that considers why we sing and to what end, before inviting us to contemplate the content and the context, the object and the attitude of our singing.
Ultimately, this accessible and unintimidating book treats every facet of singing for the Christian as a discipleship opportunity. Eschewing culturally specific prescriptions and personal preferences, this helpful "Primer", as the subtitle would have it, is a call to engage with greater intentionality, meaning, understanding, purpose, affection, and fascination.
My recommendation is to buy 10 copies and lead your music ministry team through one chapter each week. For whatever it's worth, that's what I intend to do!
A grade schooler could read this and be ministered to just as well as a seasoned worship leader, because the insights are simultaneously simple and profound. Beginning with the most self-evident insight, that God's people are a singing people, Sean takes the needed time to lay a foundation that considers why we sing and to what end, before inviting us to contemplate the content and the context, the object and the attitude of our singing.
Ultimately, this accessible and unintimidating book treats every facet of singing for the Christian as a discipleship opportunity. Eschewing culturally specific prescriptions and personal preferences, this helpful "Primer", as the subtitle would have it, is a call to engage with greater intentionality, meaning, understanding, purpose, affection, and fascination.
My recommendation is to buy 10 copies and lead your music ministry team through one chapter each week. For whatever it's worth, that's what I intend to do!
August 30, 2025
“…the highest priority for Christian singing should be with the people of God as we journey towards the Promised Land together.”
“Redemption Song” by Sean DeMars utilizes the Song of Moses in Exodus 15 to discover what it teaches us about corporate worship as illustrated by eleven key elements of singing as it relates to worship and our relationship with God.
DeMars’ goal is to transform the way we think about singing as Christ’s people in the church. He writes,
“As God inspired Moses to write the Exodus story, a mere factual recounting of the salvation story was not sufficient. In recording the events of redemptive history, God didn't just want truth, He also wanted beauty. He didn't just want prose, He also wanted poetry. He didn't just want a story, He also wanted a soundtrack.”
This book’s chapters are the perfect length to use as a daily devotional on the topic of singing as it relates to worship. Its tone was accessible, informative, and throughly Scriptural. Though I wish the book included even more depth, it contains lots of gems that will have you highlighting or taking notes throughout.
I definitely recommend it for a primer on this topic and even to help begin deeper discussions on the content presented in each chapter.
Highlights:
“Bible studies are great, sermons are powerful, and Scripture memorization always strengthens the soul, but singing the gospel helps us remember it in a way that listening to it and meditating on it alone can’t.”
“The best hymns don’t just move our hearts, they also teach our minds.”
“When we sing false things about God to one another, we are failing to disciple each other well.”
“Modern western Christians have been trained to think of salvation through the lens of individualism, but the gospel says that God is not merely saving individuals for Himself, He’s saving a people.”
“If your children grow up to worship God, the way you do on a Sunday morning, would you be proud of their worship?”
“Jesus was treated like Pharaoh and his armies so that you could be saved like Moses and the people of Israel. So sing, brothers and sisters, as the old hymn reminds us.”
★★★★☆ (4)
Readability: 5
Impact: 4
Content: 4
Enjoyment: 3
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
“Redemption Song” by Sean DeMars utilizes the Song of Moses in Exodus 15 to discover what it teaches us about corporate worship as illustrated by eleven key elements of singing as it relates to worship and our relationship with God.
DeMars’ goal is to transform the way we think about singing as Christ’s people in the church. He writes,
“As God inspired Moses to write the Exodus story, a mere factual recounting of the salvation story was not sufficient. In recording the events of redemptive history, God didn't just want truth, He also wanted beauty. He didn't just want prose, He also wanted poetry. He didn't just want a story, He also wanted a soundtrack.”
This book’s chapters are the perfect length to use as a daily devotional on the topic of singing as it relates to worship. Its tone was accessible, informative, and throughly Scriptural. Though I wish the book included even more depth, it contains lots of gems that will have you highlighting or taking notes throughout.
I definitely recommend it for a primer on this topic and even to help begin deeper discussions on the content presented in each chapter.
Highlights:
“Bible studies are great, sermons are powerful, and Scripture memorization always strengthens the soul, but singing the gospel helps us remember it in a way that listening to it and meditating on it alone can’t.”
“The best hymns don’t just move our hearts, they also teach our minds.”
“When we sing false things about God to one another, we are failing to disciple each other well.”
“Modern western Christians have been trained to think of salvation through the lens of individualism, but the gospel says that God is not merely saving individuals for Himself, He’s saving a people.”
“If your children grow up to worship God, the way you do on a Sunday morning, would you be proud of their worship?”
“Jesus was treated like Pharaoh and his armies so that you could be saved like Moses and the people of Israel. So sing, brothers and sisters, as the old hymn reminds us.”
★★★★☆ (4)
Readability: 5
Impact: 4
Content: 4
Enjoyment: 3
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
October 24, 2025
Sean Demars on the regulative principle in corporate worship: "There's no one order of service that has been ordained by God to work in every context. But there are certain elements of worship , principles, rules... whatever you want to call them... that God has given us that we can adapt to any culture or contacts for the maximum education of the body in the maximum glorification of Christ."
A simple yet straightforward book on how singing to the Lord should be done. Excited to take part in the discussion of this book with the church!
A simple yet straightforward book on how singing to the Lord should be done. Excited to take part in the discussion of this book with the church!
January 30, 2026
Some really good thoughts on singing and worship. Some opinions are very clear. I don't agree with all of this book but I think it provided great fodder for me to reflect on and think through in relation to worship. I skipped the appendix. If you are also a female in ministry you might want to skip it too.
October 19, 2025
Such a helpful little primer on corporate worship and the important of singing in the life of the church. I think the appendix on the regulative principle alone is worth the price of the book! Definitely a book I hope to make available on our church’s book table.
October 29, 2025
Great little work on the music worship in the local church. Very strong principles and rebuke where the church needs it.
November 12, 2025
Enjoyed this quick read. Definitely a great book to hand someone who wants to think about singing and its role in our worship corporately.
February 2, 2026
Quick, clear, helpful, and most importantly, biblical.
August 30, 2025
4.5 stars. Based off Exodus 15 and other passages, DeMars shows how singing to the Lord is not only a command but a joyous privilege. He also shows how our singing is not just individualistic but is corporate - we sing together and to each other, which is the pattern found throughout Scripture.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews