It’s been a few years since we last examined the most popular worship songs making their way into churches. Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) updates its top 100 list regularly, giving us a pulse on what music is trending in Christian worship. While initially, year after year, the top songs remained largely unchanged, the landscape has shifted enough recently to warrant a fresh look at what’s being sung in congregations today.
Why is this review important? As believers, we are called to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This principle extends to the songs we sing in worship. The theological content of our music should be as sound and biblically accurate as the sermons we hear. While enjoying these songs personally is one thing, their suitability for corporate worship within the church is another matter entirely.
Below, we’ll delve into the top 10 most popular praise songs according to CCLI. For each song, we’ll identify the writers, highlight both commendable and questionable lyrics, and ultimately assess whether it’s appropriate for congregational worship. Each song title also links to a video for those who wish to listen.
1) “Who You Say I Am” written by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan
This song, crafted by the same writers behind “Mighty to Save,” currently holds the top spot as the most popular modern praise song globally. The official video for “Who You Say I Am” has garnered nearly 100 million views on YouTube. Released in June 2018 as the lead single from Hillsong Church’s 26th live album, There Is More, the song is penned by Hillsong worship pastors Fielding and Morgan.
Good Lyrics: Many lyrics in “Who You Say I Am” resonate positively. Lines such as “Who am I that the highest King would welcome me?” and “While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me” are biblically sound. The affirmations “I am chosen, not forsaken. I am who you say I am. You are for me, not against me. I am who you say I am,” alongside “In my Father’s house, there’s a place for me; I’m a child of God,” speak to core Christian truths. Like typical Hillsong songs, repetition is a prominent feature in the lyrical structure.
Questionable Lyrics: While the lyrics themselves might seem innocuous in isolation, the context of Hillsong Church raises concerns. The phrase “I am who you say I am” becomes ambiguous when considering Hillsong’s theological leanings. Does it reflect the biblical truth that only followers of Christ are children of God, or does it imply a universalist view where everyone is inherently a child of God?
This ambiguity mirrors the practices of figures like Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church, who encourages his congregation to recite affirmations such as “I am what it says I am, I have what it says I have, I can do what it says I can do,” while holding up their Bibles. While such statements can be interpreted biblically, within the context of prosperity gospel teachings often associated with figures like Osteen and Hillsong, the interpretation becomes skewed and potentially heretical. Defining terms within Hillsong’s theology often reveals departures from sound biblical doctrine.
Should the song be sung in your church? No, it’s advisable to refrain from using “Who You Say I Am” in corporate worship. While personal enjoyment of the song is a matter of individual conscience, its origin within Hillsong Church is a significant concern. As Dr. Albert Mohler has pointed out, Hillsong embodies a “prosperity movement for millennials.” Beyond theological issues, Hillsong has also faced credible accusations of covering up instances of pedophilia. The church of Christ should maintain no fellowship with organizations that compromise biblical truth and fail to protect the vulnerable.
2) “What a Beautiful Name” written by Ben Fielding and Brooke Ligertwood
Performed by Brooke Ligertwood, “What a Beautiful Name” is another immensely popular song from Hillsong, nearing half a billion views on YouTube. Released in 2017 on Hillsong’s 25th live album, Let There Be Light, it earned the Dove Award for Song of the Year in 2017.
Good Lyrics: Celebrating the beauty of Jesus’ name is undeniably a worthy theme. The bridge of the song powerfully declares, “Death could not hold you, the veil tore before you, you silence the boast of sin and grave. The heavens are roaring, the praise of your glory, for you are raised to life again.” These lyrics capture the triumph of Christ over death and sin, central tenets of the Christian faith.
Questionable Lyrics: The line “You didn’t want heaven without us; So Jesus, you brought heaven down” is theologically perplexing. It suggests that heaven was somehow incomplete or undesirable to God without humanity. This notion diminishes the self-sufficiency of God and seems to imply that God’s eternal joy was contingent on our presence. Heaven’s perfection stems solely from God’s presence (John 17:5). To suggest God needed us for heaven to be complete is a misrepresentation of God’s nature and the nature of heaven itself. While interpretations may vary, there’s no clear biblical basis for the idea that “God didn’t want heaven without us.”
Should the song be sung in your church? Again, the answer is no. “What a Beautiful Name,” despite its positive elements, originates from Hillsong Church. The concerns raised regarding Hillsong’s theology and associations apply equally to this song. Hillsong’s dominance in popular worship music is evident, holding the top two spots on the CCLI list. Many of the subsequent songs on the list are linked to Bethel Church, another ministry with significant theological concerns.
3) “Reckless Love” written by Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, and Ran Jackson
“Reckless Love,” performed by Cory Asbury, quickly rose to prominence after its release two years ago, topping worship charts and winning the Dove Award for Song of the Year in 2018. It is considered a signature song for Bethel Church in Redding, CA.
Good Lyrics: The opening verse of “Reckless Love” begins with beautiful imagery of God’s proactive love: “Before I spoke a word, you were singing over me; you have been so, so good to me. Before I took a breath, you breathed your life in me; you have been so, so kind to me.” This aligns with the biblical truth of God’s electing love predating our existence (Romans 8:29, Psalm 139:16).
Questionable Lyrics: The chorus introduces a problematic concept: “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.” The term “reckless” to describe God’s love is deeply troubling. “Reckless” implies a lack of forethought or concern for consequences, directly contradicting the preceding verses that emphasize God’s intentional goodness and kindness. Can divine love, by definition, be “reckless?” It introduces a notion of impulsivity and lack of control that is incompatible with the biblical portrayal of God’s character.
Should the song be sung in your church? Absolutely not. While some churches have attempted to modify the lyrics to “relentless love,” the fundamental issue remains its association with Bethel Church. It is crucial to understand that Bethel Church is not merely another denomination with minor doctrinal differences. Bethel promotes a false gospel, embracing prosperity theology and other heretical teachings. Their practices include manipulative emotionalism and fabricated spiritual experiences, such as the staged “glory clouds” and “angel feathers.” Bethel’s promotion of fake miracles, healings, and prophecies further underscores its deviation from biblical Christianity. Their music serves as a tool to draw people into this theologically unsound and spiritually dangerous environment. Churches must completely disassociate from Bethel and its deceptive practices.
4) “This Is Amazing Grace” written by Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, and Phil Wickham
“This Is Amazing Grace” is another Bethel-affiliated song on this list, having been the number one song when this critique was initially written three years prior. First appearing on Phil Wickham’s album The Ascension in August 2013, it topped Christian music charts in 2014. Co-writer Jeremy Riddle has served as a worship leader at Bethel for nearly a decade.
Good Lyrics: The opening lines of “This Is Amazing Grace” are powerful and theologically sound: “Who breaks the power of sin and darkness, whose love is mighty and so much stronger, the King of Glory, the King above all kings.” These words correctly exalt God’s sovereignty and power over sin and darkness.
Questionable Lyrics: The chorus includes the line, “That You would take my place, that you would bear my cross.” While likely intended to convey Jesus’ substitutionary atonement, the phrase “bear my cross” is not biblically accurate. Scripture states that Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross (Isaiah 53:12, 1 Peter 2:24), not our cross. This distinction is important because Jesus also calls His followers to take up their cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). While we are freed from sin through Christ’s sacrifice on His cross (Galatians 6:14), the concept of bearing “my cross” in the atonement context is a misrepresentation of biblical teaching.
The second verse contains the line, “Who brings our chaos back into order.” This lyric is ambiguous and potentially misleading. While God is a God of order, the Bible also acknowledges that He creates calamity (Isaiah 45:7) and allows suffering in the world (Matthew 5:45). The expectation that following God will automatically bring order to all aspects of life can set individuals up for disappointment and a misunderstanding of the Christian life, which includes trials and suffering (Romans 5:3, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 8:21-23).
Should the song be sung in your church? No. For a comprehensive and well-documented analysis of the dangers of Bethel Church, the book Defining Deception by Costi Hinn and Anthony Wood is highly recommended. It provides in-depth research and evidence exposing the problematic theology and practices of Bethel Church in Redding, CA.
5) “Great Are You Lord” written by David Leonard, Jason Ingram, and Leslie Jordan
“Great Are You Lord” was written and recorded in 2013 by the now-disbanded band All Sons and Daughters, consisting of David Leonard and Leslie Jordan.
Good Lyrics: The line “It’s your breath in our lungs so we pour out our praise” is a beautiful expression of gratitude for God’s gift of life. As beings created in God’s image and sustained by His breath, our praise is a fitting response. All Sons and Daughters are known for their repetitive two-phrase choruses, making lines like “It’s your breath in our lungs so we pour out our praise” a central and memorable part of the song.
Questionable Lyrics: None identified.
Should the song be sung in your church? This is a more nuanced decision. While the lyrics themselves are not overtly problematic, All Sons and Daughters operated within circles associated with Hillsong and Bethel. They emerged from charismatic, seeker-sensitive church environments known for emotionalism. The band dissolved after Leslie Jordan and her husband left the church where All Sons and Daughters was formed, citing theological disagreements. Whether this theological shift influenced their departure from the band and the church is a matter of speculation, but their association with the broader charismatic movement raises caution. Ultimately, the decision to use “Great Are You Lord” requires discernment and awareness of its origins.
6) “Build My Life” written by Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Kaple, Matt Redman, and Pat Barrett
“Build My Life” boasts a large number of writers. While versions exist by Michael W. Smith and Chris Tomlin, it’s primarily attributed to Pat Barrett, formerly the lead singer of Housefires, a praise and worship band based in Atlanta.
Good Lyrics: The lyrics of “Build My Life” are consistently strong and biblically focused. The opening verse declares, “Worthy of every song we could ever sing; worthy of all the praise we could ever bring; worthy of every breath we could ever breathe. We live for you.” The chorus, “Holy, there is no one like you; there is none beside you; open up my eyes in wonder,” is a powerful expression of God’s holiness and uniqueness. The only minor critique is the repetition of the first verse as the second verse, which feels somewhat redundant given the number of songwriters involved.
Questionable Lyrics: None identified.
Should the song be sung in your church? Again, discernment is needed. Like All Sons and Daughters, Housefires operates within the same charismatic movement as Hillsong and Bethel. Pat Barrett himself has collaborated with Bethel Music’s Cory Asbury, and Bethel has released their own recordings of “Build My Life.” While the lyrics are commendable, the association with Housefires and Bethel-linked artists warrants caution. Using “Build My Life” in personal worship is different from incorporating it into congregational worship, where the source and associations of the music carry greater weight.
7) “Living Hope” written by Brian Johnson and Phil Wickham
“Living Hope” is the title track from Phil Wickham’s recent album. Released in March 2018, its promotion was timed to coincide with Easter.
Good Lyrics: The chorus of “Living Hope” is a powerful declaration of resurrection hope: “Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free. Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me. You have broken every chain, there’s salvation in your name. Jesus Christ, my living hope.” These lyrics celebrate the core message of Easter and the Christian faith.
Questionable Lyrics: The first verse, however, is less coherent and somewhat bland: “How great the chasm that lay between us. How high the mountain I could not climb. In desperation, I turned to heaven; and spoke Your name into the night. Then through the darkness, your loving-kindness tore through the shadows of my soul. The work is finished, the end is written. Jesus Christ, my living hope.” The lines lack a clear progression of thought and rhyme, making the verse feel disjointed and less impactful compared to the powerful chorus.
Should the song be sung in your church? No. Despite being primarily Phil Wickham’s song, “Living Hope” is another Bethel Church release, appearing on their albums Victory and Living Hope. Co-writer Brian Johnson is a pastor at Bethel Church and the son of senior pastor Bill Johnson. This Bethel connection makes its use in corporate worship problematic due to the theological concerns associated with Bethel.
8) “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” written by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman
“10,000 Reasons,” the title track from Matt Redman’s 2011 album, has remained a consistently popular worship song. Often referred to as “Bless The Lord, O My Soul” due to its prominent chorus, the title “10,000 Reasons” is drawn from the second verse.
Good Lyrics: The chorus is undeniably catchy and theologically rich: “Bless the Lord O my soul, O my soul, Worship His holy name. Sing like never before, O my soul, I’ll worship Your holy name.” The song encourages consistent praise to God in all circumstances, a recurring theme in Matt Redman’s songwriting and a biblically sound principle.
Questionable Lyrics: None identified.
Should the song be sung in your church? Yes, “10,000 Reasons” is generally acceptable for corporate worship. Matt Redman has written numerous commendable worship songs, including the popular “Blessed Be Your Name.” While Redman’s associations sometimes raise concerns regarding discernment, “10,000 Reasons” itself is lyrically solid and theologically sound, making it a suitable choice for congregational singing.
9) “The Lion and the Lamb” written by Brenton Brown, Brian Johnson, and Leeland Mooring
“The Lion and the Lamb” is another song distributed by Bethel Music, though performed by the band Leeland. Co-writer Brian Johnson, again, is the son of Bethel Church’s leaders, Bill and Beni Johnson.
Good Lyrics: The lyrics of “The Lion and the Lamb” are generally acceptable: “Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah. He’s roaring with power and fighting our battles, and every knee will bow before You.” The song uses powerful imagery of both the Lion and the Lamb to depict different aspects of God’s character. Like many modern praise songs, it features a single verse and chorus repeated throughout.
Questionable Lyrics: None identified.
Should this song be sung in your church? No, due to its Bethel Church association. Despite the lyrics being generally acceptable, the connection to Bethel and Brian Johnson necessitates caution. Given the serious theological concerns surrounding Bethel, it’s prudent to avoid using “The Lion and the Lamb” in corporate worship.
10) “Good Good Father” written by Anthony Brown and Pat Barrett
“Good Good Father,” originating from the Atlanta-based praise band Housefires, gained widespread popularity through Chris Tomlin’s 2015 release. Surprisingly, this is the only Chris Tomlin song on this top 10 list, and it’s not even originally his song.
Good lyrics: Isolated lines from “Good Good Father” express positive attributes of God. Affirmations like “God is a good, good Father,” “He is perfect in all His ways,” and “We are loved by Him” are individually true. However, when considered within the context of the entire song, significant theological concerns arise.
Questionable lyrics: The song’s opening is particularly problematic: “I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think you’re like, but I’ve heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night. And you tell me that you’re pleased, and that I’m never alone.” This opening suggests that subjective, emotional experiences (“tender whispers…in the dead of night”) are a more reliable source of knowing God’s love than the “thousand stories” – implicitly referencing Scripture. This approach diminishes the authority of God’s Word as the primary means of knowing Him.
While the songwriter might not intend to dismiss Scripture entirely, the lyrics prioritize subjective feelings over objective truth revealed in the Bible. It elevates personal “whispers” above the “stories” of God’s character and actions recorded in Scripture. Furthermore, relying on subjective “whispers” as a primary source of truth about God is inherently dangerous and aligns with the warning in Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” and Proverbs 28:26: “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool.” The song’s focus shifts from God and His revealed Word to self and subjective emotional experiences.
Should the song be sung in your church? No. “Good Good Father,” despite its appealing melody and popular sentiment, suffers from poor theology. It prioritizes subjective experience over Scripture and promotes a self-centered approach to knowing God, making it unsuitable for corporate worship.
