It begins with Mool Mantra and then follow 38 paudis (stanzas) and completed with a final Salok by Guru Angad at the end of this composition.

[3][4] According to Christopher Shackle, it is designed for "individual meditative recitation" and as the first item of daily devotional prayer for the devout.

The Sanskrit word japa is derived from the root jap-, meaning "to utter in a low voice, repeat internally, mutter".

[10][11] With good karmas in past life and his grace is the gate to mukti (liberation); in him is everything, states verse 4.

God is the primal one, the pure light, without beginning, without end, the never changing constant, states Hymn 31.

[1] Jaap Sahib is structured as a stotra that are commonly found in 1st millennium CE Hindu literature.

The Japu Sahib includes a mention of God as wielder of weapons, consistent with the martial spirit of Dasam Granth.