Christian music has had its highs and lows. We’ve endured lyrics such as “sloppy wet kiss” and celebrated lyrics such as “that saved a wretch like me.” There are many excellent songs of worship that stir the heart and soul.
At one point, classical composers wrote music for the church. Composers, such as Handel, Mozart, and Bach actually wrote sacred music. Martin Luther’s favorite composer was Johann Walter.
Modern musicians are supremely talented. However, many of them are theologically deficient. Often lyrics are shoved into a song simply because they rhyme or fit like greeting card prose.
Most would not pass the spiritual song committee scrutiny of David, Korah, or Asaph. Should every song be rejected at the whim of an old crank like me? No! However, we could do a better job of ensuring what is belted from our churches is honorable, sacred, and Biblical.
Here are some of my favorites that I believe would pass the David, Korah, and Asaph committee.
Enjoy!
Songs of Worship by Stuart Townend
In my most humble and personal opinion, In Christ Alone should go down in history as one of the greatest hymns of all time. It should share space along with some of the heavy hitters such as How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, and Blessed Assurance.
The song is no longer new as it was written in 2001. However, many churches have never played the song for some odd reason. If your church has avoided this song please consider learning it and using it in your worship service.
A kerfuffle originated a few years ago about In Christ Alone. The Presbyterian Church USA had requested a permanent change to one of the lines in the song that was summarily denied. The change was requested so that it could be included in their hymnal.
Apparently, someone in the PCUSA had seen a Baptist hymnal with the change. What change was requested? They wanted the lyrics, “the wrath of God was satisfied” to “the love of God was magnified.”
Denied!
I guess the PCUSA will not be singing this song. If only we could get a ruling on the ghastly lyrics “Sloppy wet kiss.”
My preferred version of In Christ Alone is from Passion.
Another great song by Stuart Townend is How Deep the Father’s Love For Us.
This verse is brutal!
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
Stuart Townend
Songs of Worship by POA
I was in desperate need of a musical jolt when I first stumbled across the music ministry of the Pentecostals of Alexandria. Most everyone has heard the song Way Maker which is one of their first songs that went viral (28,443,637 views as I am writing).
I found their approach to music quite refreshing — especially their manner of dress. Far too many worship bands are created similar to Disney boy bands and girl groups.
The “Cool” factor is required. You know, strategically placed hats, shredded jeans, designer glasses, half-shaven faces, and only Instagram-quality models in the crowd. It’s a strict marketing ploy and God is oddly missing.
Then along comes POA. Men wearing suits and ties and women wearing skirts. No pretense or staged non-sense. Simply worshiping God in spirit and in truth.
Bravo!
My favorite from POA is The Throne Room Song featuring Charity Gayle. King of Glory is also another favorite!
Songs of Worship by Third-Day
Third-Day is one of those bands that continually churned out quality music without steering far from their musical roots.
Fun fact: I met the band prior to their explosion on the music scene. At the time, I was a youth pastor at a church in Kalamazoo, MI, and Third Day was playing at a very small youth conference we were attending.
Super nice guys who love tacos.
Third-Day has several songs that could be played during a worship setting. Off of the top of my head, I think of Consuming Fire, Your Love Oh Lord, King of Glory, Trust In Jesus, and Love Song.
However, the hymn, These Thousand Hills, or their remake of the Rich Mullins song Creed would be most welcome.
Many churches are moving away from credal confessions. Some churches are fully against them and would never even consider them. I can’t say that playing Creed is a middle-of-the-road compromise or even a sneaky way to get spinach into the kid’s sauce but it couldn’t hurt!
Psalm 23
Shane and Shane have written dozens of worship songs directly from the Psalms. If you’ve not heard any of their music you’re definitely missing out on something special.
They have specific songs on the more popular Psalms such as Psalm 23 and Psalm 51 and Psalm 91 but they also go into others as well.
My favorite of the Psalm songs is Psalm 46 (Lord of Hosts).
Chris Tomlin
Over the years, Passion Music has given us some fantastic tunes. All of their music is worship service appropriate. Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Matt Maher, and many others have contributed to this fantastic music.
I have a few favorites that I would like to share.
I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) is quite possibly my favorite.
One day I was in prayer and listening to a YouTube playlist and I Stand Amazed began to play. I was immediately taken back (in my mind) to a small country church with a hymnal in my hand. I hadn’t thought of that song in decades and yet the words poured forth immediately.
Chris Tomlin is the lead vocalist in this version for Passion Music.
Lacey Sturm
Lacey Sturm was the lead vocalist for the rock group Flyleaf for many years. Although they were not a “Christian” band their lyrics were poignant and biblical without being directly on the nose.
I would put Fully Alive, All Around Me, Call You Out, Cassie, Again, and Beautiful Bride up against any Christian band for lyrical quality.
After leaving Flyleaf, Lacey Sturm began a solo career. Her solo music has maintained the same intensity and she probably has a bit more freedom to write directly about Biblical ideas.
Her song Rot is about sexual exploitation and trafficking. The video is powerful!
Her rendition of Mercy Tree is excellent as well.
My favorite, however, is The Reason. I have a brother who is a worship leader and we often share new music with one another. When I shared this song with him he immediately knew that it was tailor-made for Celebrate Recovery.
Here’s an article I wrote about God’s mercy that matches this song.
Matt Redman
Matt Redman does not slip under the radar — not even close. His songs 10,000 Reasons, The Heart of Worship, and Blessed Be Your Name were sung countless times by churches of all types.
Matt has written eight books and has released sixteen full albums and as far as I know, is still creating new music.
There is one song that I feel flew under the radar and it happens to be my favorite song of his.
Call To Worship.
We come to Your mountain
The hill of the Lord we would ascend
And journey into Your holy place
To feast in Your presence
And bring our devotions to You, God
We come as a Kingdom of Your priests
We’re climbing up the mountain of the Lord
Towards Your holy place
And every step is praise
Encountering the glory of Your name
Your throne of holiness
The wonders of Your grace
Call to Worship
Fun fact: Matt and I share the same birthday.
Victory in Jesus
This is another song that brings back fond childhood memories. I am fearful that many of our youngsters will not grow up with songs that have transcended trends and the ebbs of flows of church life.
Most of the songs written over the past few decades will not survive. Some will but not too many.
This might just be the most heart-warming thing you have seen in a very long time.
Classic Hymns
Come Thou Fount is quite possibly my favorite classic hymn. I absolutely love the version done by David Crowder Band. Or is he simply knowns as Crowder now?
Anytime you can throw in the word Ebenezer and not lose your swag you get full points!
Jesus Paid It All by Passion is another that should be a staple in many churches.
I recommend reintroducing hymns into your worship service. The seasoned citizens will appreciate it and exposing a new generation to songs from antiquity will bring a new depth of worship.
Perhaps you could “call up” your worship team to make a new arrangement of a classic hymn. I’ve recently heard a mash-up of Amazing Grace that is powerful!
Can your church worship team work on something like that? Or maybe have musicians work on writing Psalm, songs. We really need to return to theological roots in our music!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!!