"King Me", by John Voelz

King Me, originally penned by John Voelz (JVo) as a teaching atlas (study guide) for a sermon series has been released in book form. JVo is the worship leader/pastor at Westwinds Community Church and is a great candidate for writing a book of this sort. He is more than a worship pastor. He’s a musician who has a heart after God and a musician’s approach to the excitement and terror found within the Psalms.


While the kings of rock and pop have come and gone, the one and only King endures forever! This title not a quick overview of all the Psalms, but is specifically focused on the “Kingly” Psalms (47, 93-100). And those Psalms boast of the King of Kings and His glory, splendor, majesty, judgment, authority, rule, etc.

JVo wrote King Me with a good mixture of intellect and humor. We all know that sometimes intelligent people can be boorish, and funny people can be flighty. But John is neither. He uses his wit, musical experience, and intelligence to make some good points while inspiring readers to ask probing questions about these Kingly Psalms:

“Was this written/sung in a minor or major key?”
“Does it matter?”
“What words contained in the Psalm might make you to believe this was a joyous or a somber song?”
“How ought the Psalm move you?”
“Is there a rhythm or repeated theme that is trying to express something specific?”

For too long, music in the church has been a source of great contention:
loud, or quiet?
Choirs, or bands?
Fast, or slow?
Drums?
Guitars?
Amps?

But one thing John makes absolutely clear, as do the Psalms: music should move you! It should make you cry, praise, dance, shout, sing! If Psalms are music, and music is poetry, and poetry should be read and experienced differently from other genres, then the Psalms ought to stir you.

“King Me has” a helpful appendix that helps readers navigate our way through all types of Psalms and their structure.

"King Me” is also interactive: get your smartphone and link to video clips and websites via the QR codes. If you’re not sure what those are, here’s a chance to find out.

The only real flaw I could find in King Me is the lack of proofreading before it was published. While spelling and punctuation errors and spacing issues (I call them “ticks”) don’t really detract the reader from the intended points in “King Me”, those same ticks can still be distracting. I think the book would have greater value if the ticks were edited, for it proves the author and publisher care about the work being published.

That aside, the book is well worth the time and money. It’s a quick, easy read, and a good study tool. You can order direct for a signed copy via JVo's blog or from Amazon.com.