This past year has featured an extensive amount of new worship albums and songs, the most vertical releases in recent memory. I have had the privilege to worship along with more than 50 new worship albums this year, and this has been another memorable year to "sing to the Lord a new song" (Psalm 96:1) with amazing offerings by all of these artists. 

 

As a believer, one of my daily devotionals is to spend time worshiping my Lord and Savior Jesus by singing Him worship songs in adoration of His majesty and love. These are my top 10 worship albums of 2017, along with 10 honorable mentions. I'd love to know your favorite worship albums and which worship songs have resonated in your hearts this past year. God bless!

 

 

All Is Not Lost is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith. There are no filler tracks, and this is easily one of my top "gourmet" albums of the year. If you want to experience a soul-stirring, stunning and worshipful album, look no further than The Brilliance. My favorite songs are "Gravity of Love," "Night Has Passed," "Turning Over Tables," "Hear The Prayers," "Will We Ever Rise," "Who is Jesus" and "See The Love," which has quickly become one of my all-time favorite songs. These songs will certainly connect with listeners and showcase the multi-talented band's trademark balance of vocal tenderness, lyrical intensity, beautiful and stirring musical arrangements and, above all, songs with a sense of hope and inspiration. All Is Not Lost is all about finding peace by living out the words of the songs, convicting me to cry out "I want to see the love" in my fellow brothers and sisters.

 

 

Starlight is best described as a stellar worship offering with an empowering theme of the Lord's Kingship reigning in our hearts in song after song. The standout songs each feature an engaging and emotive musical style while phrasing biblical truth in a creative, corporate and also personal way, making it one of my top worship albums of the year. Every song completely focuses me as a listener on joining in praise with the reminder "You're never gonna let me down," which is in essence the thesis statement of this album. 

 

 

The theme of trusting God completely weaves through all the songs on After All These Years, an album best described as a worship experience with an ethereal tone. These moving and reverent recordings are all prayers and personal confessions of submission to God. I've been impressed by the consistent quality and fresh worshipful songs that come from Bethel Music, and this album from Brian and Jenn Johnson is no exception. After All These Years is about proclaiming the majesty of God and crying out in awe and wonder for His Presence, and it's a must-have for your praise and worship collection.

 

 

From "Break Every Chain" to "It is Well" and "I Will Follow You," Kristene DiMarco has consistently impressed me with her mature faith and sincere desire to serve Jesus. Her name means "be steadfast for Christ," and this album beautifully captures that sentiment. In the bridge of "Take Courage," Kristene DiMarco proclaims "You who hold the stars, who call them each by name, will surely keep Your promise to me, that I will rise in Your victory." The theme of Jesus being found in the waiting and reigning as the King of our hearts weaves its way through many of these compelling songs on Where His Light Was. 

 

 

Since I first heard their song "Give Me Faith," Elevation Worship has consistently blessed me as a worshiper with their anthems for the church like "Unstoppable God," "Open Up Our Eyes," "O Come to the Altar" and "Resurrecting." Their latest album There is a Cloud is about proclaiming the majesty of God and crying out for His Presence throughout this incredible worship experience. The Lord calls us to have joy in Him regardless of our circumstances, which these songs celebrate. The standout songs, "There is a Cloud," "Do it Again," "Yours (Glory and Praise)" and "Uncontainable Love," are great songs to pray along with these anointed worship leaders to express allegiance to Him. 

 

 

If you like Kari Jobe's previous offerings, then you are in for a treat with stellar worship offering The Garden. All of these songs invite you to express your own desire for God's presence. I love how expressive these songs get, such as in "The Garden," "Let Your Glory Fall," "Heal Our Land," "Miracles" and "The Cause of Christ." The Garden is about proclaiming the sovereignty of God and crying out for His presence throughout this incredible worship experience, which stirs my heart, mind and soul to bow before Jesus, our Savior. Kari's powerful and gorgeous vocals keep me hanging on every word she sings.

 

 

Kerrie Roberts is a uniquely gifted singer/songwriter with a big voice that is memorable and dynamic yet intimate. Kerrie Roberts has once again captivated me with her worshipful songs and created one of the top worship albums I've ever heard. Her vocals are so strong and pure. Musically and lyrically, Boundless is brilliant. This album brings me closer to God and provides offerings of praise and worship rooted in His love.

 

 

For many years now, ever since the first album We Cry Out, the ministry of Jesus Culture and Kim Walker-Smith has been a way to put Scripture into the minds, hearts and mouths of believers everywhere in a fresh and creative way. The first time I heard Kim Walker-Smith speak about God's presence in her powerful recording of "How He Loves," I was ushered into a place of reverence and awe of God, and I realized just how special it is to be one of God's children. On My Side is loaded with that type of adoration, leading listeners into God's presence with the standout songs "Brave Surrender," "Throne Room," "You Define Me" and "Fresh Outpouring."

 

 

The songs on Abide With Me all have biblically-based lyrics that poignantly capture life's simple yet vital messages. Sara Groves's vocals will soothe your soul, and the vertical lyrics will direct your attention and focus on Jesus. There are several personal songs that melt my heart, especially "Abide With Me" and "Lead On Oh King Eternal." There are also several worshipful arrangements of classic hymns primed for addition to your Sunday morning setlist. I especially recommend "Fairest Lord Jesus," "Praise to the Lord," "Tis So Sweet" and one of my top worship songs of all-time, "He's Always Been Faithful." Abide With Me is a must-have for your praise and worship collection, a moving and prayerful listening experience which reflects how we are bound together as believers in faith.

 

 

This album from Josh Baldwin is another stellar representation of the worship ministry of Bethel Music, including several congregational-friendly and accessible songs you'll want to start singing at your church: "Get Your Hopes Up," "Endlessly," "You Deserve it All," "Fountains," "Abraham" and one of my top songs of the year, "The War is Over." The engaging musical arrangements are among the many attractions to savor about this soothing and sincere vertically-focused album. The War is Over is sonically and lyrically refreshing. God is exalted and the depth of His love is celebrated in every single song, creating truly soul-nourishing worship.

 

11. Southville: Freedom's Tree 

12. Jeremy Riddle: More

13. Hillsong United: Wonder

14. Matt Redman: Glory Song

15. Jesus Culture: Love Has a Name 

16. Stu G: Beatitudes

17. Passion: Worthy of Your Name

18. Christ for the Nations: Melody of Love

19. Alisa Turner: Alisa Turner EP

20. Daniel Bashta: My Resurrection