[The Watchtower 10/15/86 p.23 Praising Jehovah With Music | "Two new melodies were composed for favorite words because it was learned that the melodies previously used had not been composed by Witnesses. How could that have happened? A composer may hear a little-known tune. When it later comes to his mind, he might imagine that he composed it."|] In addition, a few more songs were dropped from the previous book which had been found not to have been written by members of Jehovah's Witnesses. Several dozen new songs appeared for the first time in this book.]The musical arrangements have become progressively more elaborate and complex, and some of them are for the first time in pianistic arrangements, instead of the traditional four-part choral style used in the previous two song-books, similarly to most standard hymn-books.
Music and themes
The 225 songs relate to various aspects of the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. Each song title is based on a cited scripture.
The names of the text authors and composers do not occur in the song book, in the same manner as the writers of their other publications are kept anonymous. The original material, both words and music, is published anonymously, though, at times, the literature has revealed the circumstances and authorship of a song. [ The Watchtower | 3/15/88 p. 21 Forward, You Witnesses!| “These are the opening lines of song number 29 in the songbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Sing Praises to Jehovah. Your appreciation for this song might be deepened by learning that the melody was composed in a concentration camp in Nazi Germany. Recently, some 500 workers of the German Bethel family in Selters listened to a taped conversation with the song’s composer, Erich Frost, …”| ] [1975 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses pp. 208-209 Part 3—United States of America | “A fellow missionary, Harold King, spent nearly five years in a Red Chinese prison. He, too, had remained spiritually strong. Did you know that, while imprisoned, he even composed music based on Scriptural thoughts? Yes, the songbook used by Jehovah’s witnesses today—“Singing and Accompanying Yourselves with Music in Your Hearts”—contains a melody that Brother King originated in prison. It is song No. 10, entitled “From House to House.””]
Musically, the songs show a great variety: while all have a certain dignity, they express many different feelings or sentiments, some solemn, some gentle, and some melancholy. Some of the songs are march-like, some hymn-like; some are more animated, and others have a waltz-like lilt.
In technical aspects like harmony, rhythm, and tonality, the songs are very innovative by the usual standards of songs or hymns intended for congregational use. Quite complex harmonies drawn from the late-romantic period of music are sometimes used; some of the songs modulate to more distant keys than one would normally expect in songs of this type; a few songs have their verses and refrain in different, unrelated keys (for example, an E-flat-major verse coupled with a C-major refrain); one of the songs is in quintuple rhythm (5/4 metre); a few songs have their verses and refrain in different metres or tempos (for example C followed by 3/4; 9/8 followed by 3/4). This adventurousness in musical technique is greatly expanded yet further in the "Kingdom Melodies" orchestrated versions, which are not always in the same keys as the corresponding original songs.
Track listing
#“Bless Jehovah, O My Soul” (Psalm 103)
# Obeying God Rather Than Men (Acts 5:29)
#Gaining Victory Over the World (John 16:33)
#God’s Promise of Paradise (Luke 23:43)
#All Creation, Praise Jehovah! (Psalm 148)
#Declare the Everlasting Good News (Revelation 14:6-8)
#The Hope of Mankind’s Jubilee (Leviticus 25:10)
#Loyally Submitting to Theocratic Order (1 Corinthians 14:33)
#Jehovah’s Blessing Makes Rich (Proverbs 10:22)
#Be Steadfast, Unmovable! (1 Corinthians 15:58)
#The Shulammite Remnant (Song of Solomon 6:13)
# “God Loves a Cheerful Giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
#Christian Dedication (Exodus 39:30) [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=54]
#“Be Glad, You Nations”! (Romans 15:10)
#Life Without End—At Last! (John 3:16)
#Be Joyful for the Kingdom Hope! (Romans 15:10-13)
#Jehovah’s “Dewdrops” Among Many Peoples (Psalm 110:3)
#Bless Our Christian Brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17)
#Joyful All Day Long (Psalm 32:11)
#Sing the Song of Kingdom Cheer (Psalm 96:1, 10)
#Hail Jehovah’s Kingdom! (Revelation 11:17)
# Heeding Jude’s Message (Jude 21)
#The Bible’s Hope for Mankind (Romans 12:12)
#“No Part of the World” (John 17:16) [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?udio=82]
#God’s Pretty Things (Ecclesiastes 3:11) [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=83]
#Meeting God’s Requirements (Revelation 12:17)
#Fear Them Not! (Matthew 10:28) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_11.mp3 download] )
#Bless Our Meeting Together (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
#Forward, You Witnesses! (Luke 16:16) [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=84]
#“Zealous for Fine Works” (Titus 2:14) [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=85]
#Zeal for Jehovah’s House (John 2:17)
# “From House to House” (Acts 20:20)
#“Jehovah Himself Has Become King!” (Psalm 97:1)
#Living Up to Our Name (Isaiah 43:10-12) [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=67]
#Love’s Excelling Way (1 Corinthians 13) [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=55]
#“Happy Are the Mild-Tempered” (Matthew 5:5)
#Making a Good Name With God (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
#Displaying Loyalty (Psalm 18:25)
#God’s Warriors Are Advancing (1 Timothy 6:12)
#Making Our Way Successful (Joshua 1:8) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=56 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 40 Making Our Way Successful ] ]
#Praise Jehovah, the Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4)
# “This Is the Way” (Isaiah 30:20, 21)
#Forward, You Ministers of the Kingdom! (2 Timothy 4:5)
#Jehovah Really Cares (1 Peter 5:7)
#A Prayer of Thanksgiving (Psalm 65:2) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=57 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 45 A Prayer of Thanksgiving ] ]
#The Scriptures—Inspired and Beneficial (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
#Jehovah, Our Strength and Our Might (Isaiah 12:2)
#Give Jehovah the Praise (Matthew 5:12)
#Great God, Jehovah! (Psalm 95:3)
#Responding to God’s Love (1 John 4:11)
#Making Jehovah’s Heart Glad (Proverbs 27:11) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=86 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 51 - Making Jehovahs Heart Glad ] ]
# Our Father’s Name (Matthew 6:9)
#Theocracy’s Increase (Isaiah 9:6, 7)
#We Must Be Holy (1 Peter 1:15, 16)
#Daily Walking With Jehovah (Micah 6:8)
#Bravely Press On (1 Timothy 1:12)
#Jehovah’s Happy People (Psalm 89:15)
#Jehovah, “the God of All Comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
#Appreciating God’s Reminders (Psalm 119)
#God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years (Revelation 20:4-6)
#“I Am Jehovah”! (Isaiah 42:8)
# Happy, the Merciful! (Matthew 5:7) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_05.mp3 download] )
#Let the Light Shine (Matthew 5:16)
#Faith Like That of Abraham (Genesis 22:1-18)
#Meeting in Unity (Psalm 133)
#The Power of Kindness (Romans 2:4)
#Store Up Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:20)
#Godly Compassion (Colossians 3:12)
#Godly Devotion With Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6)
#Be Like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:7, 18)
#Hold Fast the Good News! (1 Corinthians 15:2)
# The Joys and Fruits of Kingdom Service (Matthew 5:12)
#“Wisdom Is With the Modest Ones” (Proverbs 11:2)
#Jehovah, Provider of Escape (Psalm 18:1, 2) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=65 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 74 - Jehovah, Provider of Escape ] ]
#Joyful Praise to Jehovah (Psalm 63:5)
#Jehovah, Our Best Friend (Isaiah 41:8)
#“Jehovah Is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=87 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 77 - Jehovah Is My Shepherd ] ]
#Speaking the “Pure Language” (Zephaniah 3:9) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=143 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Creation Reveals Jehovahs Glory Song 79 ] ]
#Creation Reveals Jehovah’s Glory (Psalm 19) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=58 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 79 - Creation Reveals Jehovah's Glory ] ]
#Walking in the Name of Our God (Micah 4:5)
#Gratitude for Divine Patience (2 Peter 3:15) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=53 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 81 Gratitude for Divine Patience ] ]
# The Women Are a Large Army (Psalm 68:11)
#Zion’s Reason for Rejoicing (Isaiah 66:8)
#God’s Great and Wondrous Works (Revelation 15:3)
#Jehovah Is Our Refuge (Psalm 91:1, 2)
#Cultivating the Fruit of Love (1 Corinthians 13:8)
#The Lord’s Evening Meal (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) [ ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-2_E_08.mp3 download] ) [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=147 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs The Lords Evening Meal Song 87 ] ]
#The Prayer of God’s Servant (James 3:17)
#The Divine Pattern of Love (1 John 4:19)
#Worshiping Jehovah, the Sovereign Lord (Isaiah 2:3)
#Being Taught by Jehovah (Isaiah 54:13)
# Preach With Boldness (Acts 4:13)
#Jehovah’s Lovely Place of Worship (Psalm 84:1)
#King of Eternity, Sanctify Your Name! (Ezekiel 38:23)
#The Fruit of Goodness (Galatians 5:22)
#Glorifying Our Father, Jehovah (John 17:4)
#Jehovah’s Attributes (Revelation 4:11) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=64 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 97 - Jehovah's Attributes ] ]
#Contending for the Faith (Jude 3)
#God’s Unfolding “Eternal Purpose” (Ephesians 3:11)
#Laud Jehovah Our God! (Jeremiah 33:11)
#Showing Concern for “the Flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2)
# The Resurrection Joy (Revelation 20:13)
#Throw Your Burden on Jehovah (Psalm 55:22) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_02.mp3 download] )
#A Song to the Most High (Psalm 47:2)
#Hail Jehovah’s Firstborn! (Hebrews 1:6) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=69 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 105 - Hail Jehovah's Firstborn ] ]
#Let’s Watch How We Walk (Ephesians 5:15) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=72 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 106 - Lets Watch How We Walk ] ]
#Sing Jehovah’s Praise With Courage! (2 Chronicles 20:21)
#Jehovah’s Word Is Faithful (Joshua 23:14)
#Life Everlasting Is Promised (Psalm 37:29)
#Be Forgiving (Ephesians 4:32)
#The Light Gets Brighter (Proverbs 4:18)
# Then They Will Know (Ezekiel 35:15)
#We Are Jehovah’s Witnesses! (Isaiah 43:10-12)
#God’s Loyal Love (Isaiah 55:1-3)
#“Have Intense Love for One Another” (1 Peter 4:8) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=70 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 115 - Have Intense Love for One Another ] ]
#“You Must Assist Those Who Are Weak” (Acts 20:35) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=66 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 116 - You Must Assist those Who Are Weak ] ]
#Marriage—God’s Arrangement (Matthew 19:4-6) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=59 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 117 - Marriage, God's Arrangement ] ]
#Supporting God’s House (Malachi 3:10)
#Holding Fast to “the Happy Hope” (Titus 2:13)
#Be Steadfast Like Ruth (Ruth 1:15-17)
#The Truth That Sets Men Free (John 8:32)
# Conducting Ourselves as “a Lesser One” (Luke 9:48)
#Move Ahead! (Hebrews 6:1)
#The Fruit of Self-Control (Galatians 5:23)
#“Jehovah Is on My Side” (Psalm 118:6)
#Proclaiming Kingdom Truth (Matthew 10:7)
#Myriads of Brothers (Revelation 7:9) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_01.mp3 download] )
#Do More—As the Nazirites Did (Numbers 6:8)
#Now’s the Time! (Mark 13:10)
#Joyful Service (Psalm 32:11)
#Cleaving to Jehovah Our God (Joshua 23:8)
# Guard Your Heart (Proverbs 4:23) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_03.mp3 download] )
#Sowing Kingdom Seed (Matthew 13:4-8, 19-23)
#“Carry On as Men” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
#Jehovah, Our Place of Dwelling (Psalm 90:1) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_04.mp3 download] )
#Loyal Worshipers Bless Jehovah (Psalm 18:25)
#The Appointed Time Nears (Habakkuk 2:3)
#O Walk With God! (Micah 6:8)
#Listen to the News of the Kingdom (Isaiah 55:7)
#Waiting on Jehovah (Lamentations 3:22-27)
#Jehovah’s Holy Nation (Isaiah 66:8) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=60 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 141 - Jehovah's Holy Nation ] ]
# Creation’s Hope of Liberation (Romans 8:21)
#Take Sides With Jehovah! (Exodus 32:26) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_06.mp3 download] )
#We Must Have the Faith (Hebrews 10:39)
#Be Long-Suffering (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
#Flee to God’s Kingdom! (Zephaniah 2:3) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_08.mp3 download] )
#Never-Failing Treasures (Matthew 6:20)
#Exalting Our God the King (Psalm 145:1)
#“It Is Impossible for God to Lie” (Hebrews 6:18) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_09.mp3 download] )
#The Bread From Heaven (John 6:51) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_07.mp3 download] )
#This Good News of the Kingdom Let Us Preach (Matthew 24:14)
# Appreciating God’s Compassions (Romans 11:33-35)
#Jehovah, the God of Our Salvation (Psalm 85:7)
#Jehovah, Our Creator (Isaiah 42:5)
#“Welcome One Another”! (Romans 15:7)
#“I Want To” (Luke 5:13)
#Worship Jehovah During Youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
#Our Christian Unity (Ephesians 4:13) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_13.mp3 download] )
#Our Possession of Peace (John 14:27) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-2_E_11.mp3 download] )
#Walking in Integrity (Psalm 26:1)
#Pray to Jehovah Each Day (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
# “Preach the Word”! (2 Timothy 4:2)
#The Fruitage of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23)
#Children—Precious Gifts From God (Psalm 127:3, 4)
#Praise Jah With Me! (Psalm 145:21) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_10.mp3 download] )
#See Jehovah’s Army! (Joel 2:7) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_12.mp3 download] )
#Thanks to the Giver of Life (Psalm 36:9)
#Recognizing Earth’s New King (Psalm 2:12) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-3_E_19.mp3 download] )
#The New Song (Psalm 98:1)
#“Let God Be Found True” (Romans 3:4)
#A Victory Song (Exodus 15:1)
# Keep On Seeking First the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)
#Love—A Perfect Bond of Union (Colossians 3:14)
#Stay Awake, Stand Firm, Grow Mighty (1 Corinthians 16:13) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=154 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Stand Firm ] ]
#The Heavens Declare God’s Glory (Psalm 19:1)
#Welcome the Incoming King! (Psalm 24:7)
#What Sort of Persons Ought We to Be? (2 Peter 3:11)
#The Excelling “Peace of God” (Philippians 4:7)
#On Jehovah We Must Wait (Romans 8:19)
#God’s Own Book—A Treasure (Proverbs 2:1)
#Join in the Kingdom Song! (Psalm 98:1)
#“Balsam in Gilead” (Jeremiah 8:22)
#Youth’s Place in God’s Arrangement (Psalm 148:12, 13)
#Loving Shepherds Tend God’s “Sheep” (1 Peter 5:2)
#The Resurrection—God’s Loving Provision (John 11:25)
#Our Godly Joy (Philippians 4:4)
#All Things Made New (Revelation 21:4)
#The Gift of Prayer (1 Timothy 2:8)
#Proclaiming Jehovah’s Day of Vengeance (Isaiah 61:2)
#A Song to Jehovah (Psalm 92:1, 2)
#Make the Truth Your Own (2 Corinthians 4:2)
# Making Known the Kingdom Truth (Acts 20:20, 21)
#Preach “This Good News of the Kingdom”! (Matthew 24:14)
#Enter Jehovah’s Temple Courtyards! (Psalm 100:4)
#This Is Jehovah’s Day (Psalm 118:24)
#Jehovah’s Dedicated Ones (John 10:16)
#Make Melody to Jehovah! (Psalm 47:6)
#Getting to Know Our God (John 17:3)
#“The Scene of This World Is Changing” (1 Corinthians 7:31) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=61 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 199 Scene of this World is Changin ] ]
#Proof of Discipleship (John 13:34, 35) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=63 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 200 - Proof of Discipleship ] ]
#Rejoicing With God’s Nation (Psalm 106:5)
# To God We Are Dedicated! (Exodus 39:30)
#Jehovah Leads His People (Psalm 31:3)
#“Here I Am! Send Me” (Isaiah 6:8)
#Christ Our Exemplar (1 Peter 2:21)
#“Rejoice in the Hope” (Romans 12:12)
#To Whom Do We Belong? (1 Corinthians 6:20)
#A Song of Rejoicing (Revelation 11:15)
#Follow the Warrior King! (Ephesians 6:16, 17)
#“Make Sure of the More Important Things” (Philippians 1:10) [ [http://jwbrothers.org/play_audio.php?audio=71 Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Songs Song 210 - Make Sure of the More Important Things ] ]
#Sharing Joyfully in the Harvest (Matthew 9:37, 38)
# We Thank You, Jehovah (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
#Working Together in Unity (Ephesians 4:3)
#Following God’s Way of Life (Proverbs 9:10, 11)
#Extending Mercy to Others (Luke 6:36)
#“Have Tender Affection” (Romans 12:10)
#Gaining Jehovah’s Friendship (Psalm 15:1, 2)
#With Christ in Paradise (Luke 23:43)
#Jehovah’s Heavenly Throne (Revelation 4)
#Our Paradise: Present and Future (2 Corinthians 12:4)
#Youths! Imitate Their Faith (Hebrews 6:12)
# Keep Your Eyes on the Prize! (2 Corinthians 4:18) ( [http://download.jw.org/files/media_music/iam-1_E_05.mp3 download] )
#Your Loyal Ones Will Bless You (Psalm 145:10)
#“Take My Yoke” (Matthew 11:28-30)
#Drawing Close to Jehovah (Psalm 73:28)
References
