Selecting Psalms and Hymns for Worship
Reformed Forum
How should Reformed churches approach the selection of psalms and hymns for corporate worship? In this video, Camden Bucey offers a rich, pastoral, and practical guide for choosing music that reflects the theological and liturgical shape of a service. Drawing on years of ministry experience, Camden explains how to align musical selections with Scripture texts, sermon themes, and the redemptive-historical movement of the liturgy. This talk goes beyond personal preference or musical taste. Learn how thoughtful hymnody and psalmody can serve the worship of the triune God by reinforcing Scripture,...
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The One We Defend: The Doctrine of God | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 3)
Reformed Forum
This is the third lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Before we can defend the Christian faith, we must know the God we are defending. This lesson explores the heart of Christian apologetics: the doctrine of God. We explore the nature and attributes of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as revealed in Scripture and expressed in the Reformed tradition. From God’s simplicity and independence to his communicable and incommunicable attributes, we see how every aspect of his character undergirds our...
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Michael Morales | The Lord Bless You and Keep You: Exploring the Heart of Numbers
Reformed Forum
In this episode we welcome Dr. Michael Morales—professor of biblical studies at —for a conversation exploring the profound theological vision of the book of Numbers. Drawing from his newly released two-volume commentary in the Apollos Old Testament Commentary series, Dr. Morales unveils Numbers as more than ancient census lists and wilderness wanderings. Instead, it emerges as a richly textured narrative of covenant community, leadership, and the Lord’s presence among his people. Listeners will discover how the structure of Israel’s camp reflects Edenic hope and eschatological...
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Understanding Eastern Orthodoxy: A Reformed Introduction, Part 3 (Worship and the Sacraments)
Reformed Forum
In this final installment of our introductory series on Eastern Orthodoxy for Reformed Christians, Camden Bucey explores Orthodox worship and sacramental theology through a Reformed lens. This episode provides a careful and charitable overview of Eastern Orthodox liturgical practices, including the Divine Liturgy, veneration of icons, and the centrality of the Eucharist. What makes Eastern Orthodox worship distinct? Why are icons and incense used? What theological principles undergird these practices? Camden discusses the symbolism of Eastern Orthodox worship while also addressing key...
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The Book of Daniel, Part 7
Reformed Forum
On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation by Daniel found in chapter 2:31-45.
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Seeing Clearly: Shaping a Biblical Worldview | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 2)
Reformed Forum
This is the second lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. How do we perceive reality accurately amidst competing perspectives? This lesson examines worldviews and explores how everyone—whether consciously or not—interprets life through fundamental beliefs. You will learn how Scripture, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, serves as a lens bringing spiritual clarity to metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Based on Colossians and the Reformed tradition, we compare the Christ-centered worldview with philosophical...
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Leonardo De Chirico and Mark Gilbert | The Nicene Creed and the Nature of Christian Unity
Reformed Forum
Leonardo De Chirico and Mark Gilbert join the program to discuss the enduring significance of the Nicene Creed as it marks its 1700th anniversary. Drawing from their recent edited volume, The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words (Matthias Media), the guests explore how shared creedal language can mask deep theological differences, particularly between evangelical and Roman Catholic traditions. Leonardo De Chirico is a pastor of a Reformed evangelical church in Rome, a scholar of Roman Catholic theology, and a leader in the Reformanda Initiative,...
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The Book of Daniel, Part 6
Reformed Forum
On today’s episode of Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob continue to walk through the Book of Daniel. We discuss Nebuchadnezzar’s dream found in Daniel 2:31-49.
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Foundations of Hope: Understanding Apologetics | Defending Our Hope (Lesson 1)
Reformed Forum
This is the first lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey’s Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. What does it mean to defend our hope in a world filled with doubt and competing worldviews? In this opening lesson, you will be introduced to the discipline of apologetics—not as an academic abstraction but as a deeply personal, biblically grounded calling for every believer. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:15, we explore how the hope of Christ’s resurrection transforms the way we engage with others, and why a distinctly Reformed approach—centered on Scripture,...
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Jonathan Master | Samuel Miller’s Thoughts on Public Prayer
Reformed Forum
In this episode Camden Bucey welcomes Dr. Jonathan Master, president of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and host of the new podcast . Together, they reflect on the theology and practice of public prayer, drawing upon the insights of 19th-century Presbyterian theologian Samuel Miller and his underappreciated classic, . The conversation addresses the enduring importance of prayer in the public ministry of the church. Dr. Master discusses why pastors must be both God’s mouthpiece to the people through preaching and the people’s mouthpiece to God through prayer. The...
info_outlineHow should Reformed churches approach the selection of psalms and hymns for corporate worship? In this video, Camden Bucey offers a rich, pastoral, and practical guide for choosing music that reflects the theological and liturgical shape of a service. Drawing on years of ministry experience, Camden explains how to align musical selections with Scripture texts, sermon themes, and the redemptive-historical movement of the liturgy.
This talk goes beyond personal preference or musical taste. Learn how thoughtful hymnody and psalmody can serve the worship of the triune God by reinforcing Scripture, guiding the congregation’s response, and cultivating reverence, joy, and theological depth.
Key Topics
- Theological principles guiding music selection
- Aligning songs with the sermon text and liturgical moment
- Balancing musical accessibility with doctrinal richness
- The role of repetition, variety, and congregational familiarity
- The emotional and redemptive-historical flow of a worship service
- Special considerations for sacraments, transitions, and unique services
Chapters
- 00:00 – Introduction and Context
- 01:15 – Why Song Selection Matters in Reformed Worship
- 02:45 – Letting the Sermon Text Guide the Service
- 05:23 – Matching Music with Liturgical Placement
- 07:16 – Knowing Your Congregation and Musicians
- 09:18 – The Role of Records and Repetition
- 13:28 – Attention to Tune, Tempo, and Emotional Tone
- 17:45 – Maintaining a Redemptive-Historical Flow of Worship
- 21:05 – Strategic Placement: The Post-Sermon Hymn
- 23:14 – Special Elements and Transitions
- 28:36 – Conclusion: Cohesive Worship for the Glory of God