As a content creator for payoffsong.com and a seasoned worship leader, I’ve engaged in countless discussions about worship music over the years at conferences, workshops, and within my church. A recurring question always surfaces: “What truly makes a good worship song?”.
Interestingly, I’ve never addressed this topic in writing until now. Perhaps I’ve been hesitant to wade into online debates, but I believe it’s time to share some insights. Firstly, the sheer volume of worship songs available today, while fantastic, can be overwhelming. Secondly, I often observe worship leaders selecting songs based on superficial reasons. A catchy tune or vocal appeal isn’t enough. Effective worship music requires more than personal preference. We need clear criteria to navigate the vast selection and pinpoint songs that genuinely serve our congregations in worship.
Please note, these are my personal opinions, offered humbly. I acknowledge that my perspective may be incomplete or fallible. However, my experience suggests these guidelines have been helpful for many, particularly worship leaders striving to offer their best to the Lord. I hope they will be beneficial for you too.
A diverse group of people joyfully singing together during a church worship service, illustrating the communal aspect of selecting the best worship songs.
UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORSHIP SONGS
Before diving into criteria, it’s crucial to understand the four primary types of worship songs. Each type serves a distinct purpose and function within a worship service. Recognizing these differences is important because using the wrong type of song at the wrong moment can actually hinder worship instead of enhancing it. It’s more nuanced than simply alternating between fast and slow tempos.
GATHERING SONGS: These songs are typically used to begin a worship service. Lyrically, they unite people around a shared theme, emotion, and spiritual focus. They remind us of our collective identity as God’s people, assembled to glorify Him. Gathering songs often emphasize “we” and “us.” (Example: “Hands to the Heavens”/Jobe, Ingram, Brown, Brown.)
DECLARATIVE SONGS: These songs worship God by proclaiming who He is and what He has done. They highlight His glory and His saving acts. The dominant pronouns in declarative songs are “He” or “His.” (Example: “Jesus Messiah”/Tomlin, Carson, Reeves, Cash.)
ASCRIPTIVE SONGS: These songs directly address God, ascribing glory, honor, and character to Him. They are primarily “You” songs. (Example: “What a Beautiful Name”/Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood.)
RESPONSIVE SONGS: Typically more personal, these songs are a response to God’s truth, grace, or presence. Responsive songs are characterized by the pronoun “I.” I often place these songs towards the end of worship sets, believing they offer an opportunity for personal reflection and response after a period of encountering God. (Example: “Holy Water”/Bergthold, Cash, and more Cash.)
Many songs blend these functions. For instance, “Great Are You Lord”/Ingram, Jordan, Leonard starts as an ascriptive song in the verse but transitions into a responsive song in the chorus. Songs like these foster a worship dialogue of Revelation and Response, guiding worshippers on a spiritual journey. While exceptions exist, understanding these song types helps in curating a purposeful corporate worship experience.
FOUR KEY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING WORSHIP SONGS
In my experience, four criteria are vital when choosing congregational worship songs (in no particular order): Content, Artistry, Focus (or Theme), and User-Friendliness. The Best Worship Songs effectively integrate all these elements.
CONTENT: It’s paramount that worship songs are Biblically sound. Congregations learn theology as much through sung lyrics as through sermons. Surprisingly, some popular worship songs contain theological inconsistencies that make me hesitant to use them. Beyond biblical grounding, lyrics must also resonate with real life. We live in a complex world, and worship should stem from authentic experience. Superficial or unrelatable lyrics are insufficient. We need content that people can connect with, internalize, personalize, and sing genuinely. Worship songs should be both relatable to our human experience and truthful about God’s nature. Content-rich worship songs encourage thoughtful engagement.
ARTISTRY: Given that this platform, payoffsong.com, explores faith and the arts, artistry is a natural criterion. Songs are creative expressions and should exhibit craftsmanship. They should communicate truth uniquely, avoiding clichés (like rhyming “love” with “above”) or empty phrases (like overuse of “just” as filler). While the Psalms are timeless, songwriters should strive for fresh, poetic language that revitalizes God’s truth in song. This applies equally to the music. Creative arrangements, grooves, melodies, and chord progressions (moving beyond basic I-IV-V progressions) are essential. Lyrics and music should harmonize to maximize emotional impact. Above all, an artistically crafted song evokes emotion—joy, hope, awe—and in doing so, draws us closer to God.
A close-up shot of a musician’s hands playing a guitar during worship, emphasizing the artistry involved in creating and performing worship music.
FOCUS: Occasionally, songwriters attempt to cram the entire Bible into a single song, resulting in a loss of clarity. Effective worship songs maintain a singular thematic focus and a complementary musical style. Whether expressing lament, joy, or exploring a specific Scripture, a good worship song unites a congregation around a universally relatable idea. Disjointed or overly complex songwriting can confuse worshippers. Remember, worship is a dialogue between us and God. Focused worship songs guide congregations in unified expression within that dialogue.
USER-FRIENDLY: We must remember that most congregants lack formal musical training, and some have vocal limitations. Good worship songs consider these factors. They should be in a singable range for most people. They should adhere to conventional song structures (verse, chorus, bridge) for easy navigation. And they should be melodically appealing, with a memorable hook that invites repeated singing. In essence, user-friendly worship songs encourage participation.
NEXT STEPS FOR WORSHIP SONG SELECTION
Throughout my ministry, I’ve experienced countless worship songs, both impactful and less so. Over time, these songs have shaped my congregation, both individually and collectively. Song selection is undeniably important. But how can we refine our selection process to consistently choose the best worship songs?
Host a Worship Song Listening Party: In my church, we organize Listening Parties where individuals bring song suggestions for congregational worship. We listen together and evaluate them using these criteria. This collaborative approach has unearthed excellent songs and fostered a sense of ownership among the congregation.
Seek Theological Review of Lyrics: Involve your pastor or a theologically astute individual to review song lyrics. While lyrics are poetic, theological scrutiny is vital to ensure doctrinal accuracy and prevent misinterpretations. This ensures the songs align with your church’s beliefs and teachings.
Objectively Re-evaluate Your Current Song List: As worship leaders, we develop favorite songs. However, most songs have a lifespan. Regularly evaluate and refine your song list. Don’t hesitate to temporarily retire even beloved songs. Objective criteria can aid this process. Sometimes, allowing a favorite song a period of rest can be beneficial.
Do you use other criteria for selecting worship songs? Are you a worship songwriter? What strategies do you employ to ensure excellent worship music? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Explore further: Top 10 Blog Posts About Worship.
[Banner photo by Javy Luzania on Unsplash.]
