Music is basically an element of the universe. It's the drumbeat of the human soul, allowing us to express our culture, emotion, and thoughts, naturally leading to
I, personally, listen to music for a number of different reasons and the genre of music I decide to listen to each day is largely dependent on my mood. This same selection process occurs even when I'm deciding on specific songs to listen to. I'm sure most of you can relate.
As found in my Pandora music history, Christian music – more specifically Bethel Music Radio -- embraces my eardrums several times, for several hours of the week. With over 4,000 tracks and tens of thousands of minutes of music listening under my belt, let me share my top picks of my go-to Christian Praise and Worship Jams as of late in no particular order.
1."Oh Beautiful" by Skylar and Kim Walker Smith
This song is such a beautiful masterpiece and with its inspiring songwriting and powerful vocals, this track gets me thinking about the glory of God anytime I'm feeling blue as it reminds me of the beauty and splendor of God's grace and elegance. It's folky beat and country vibes also make this a jam for a rainy day while cozying up with a novel or a summer morning, rolling with the windows down and the volume up.
2. "Glorious" by BJ Putnam
Get those old time revival feet stompin'! And if for some reason you're having a bit of trouble, this track is sure to get you moving. This song is definitely a traditional gospel song with more impressive vocal, choir backup, and rock influences. I listen to this song on days when I just wanna shout! The song basically gives God praise, calling Him "glorious" and asking Jesus to "shine for all the world to see". Don't mind my use of mainstream vocabulary here, but this song gets me hype.
3. "No Longer Slaves" by Jonathan David & Melissa Helser
The first time I heard this song I stopped what I was doing, sat back, and allowed myself to be immersed in the beauty of it. It's the vocals that create the evident hunger and passion for God and what He has done for His children. Indeed, we are no longer slaves to fear because His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). The track ends with an electrifying vocal by David, once again evoking a bulging passion for Jesus in his heart and the heart of listeners.
4. "Dry Bones" by Lauren Daigle
Lauren Daigle is a truly talented singer/songwriter, blessed with a captivating voice. "Dry Bones" is a song I go to when I feel inspired to share the Gospel with others or when I think about how God has brought me to life. Inspired by Ezekiel 3:7, this song highlights the power of the very Word and Breath of God. His Word alone spoke and continues to speak to dry bones, giving seemingly hopeless situations and people the opportunity to flourish and live again in His grace.
5. "For the Cross" by Bethel, Brian, and Jenn Johnson
More invigorating vocals can be found on this engagingly powerful rock-based track. Sometimes I just need to sit back and remember the basis of my faith: the gift of Jesus. This song reminds me to be particularly thankful not only for family, food, and other things we share at the Thanksgiving table but more specifically for the nearly incomprehensible significance of Jesus coming to die for us on the cross. It really helps me put the whole phenomenon into perspective.
These songs are true pieces of art that do just what inspirational music should: provoke thought while engaging the mind, heart, and soul. There's a gospel song out there for any mood or situation I find myself in, and this list is just a glimpse of the captivating splendor that is well-done Christian music.
