Casting Crowns is one of the most known and beloved bands in Christian music (and my personal favorite Christian group). They have two decades of faithfulness in ministry and success in their music career, garnering accolades from the GRAMMY Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and GMA Dove Awards. In addition to touring, each member remains actively involved in worship and youth ministry at their local churches.
Lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall has often described the band's songs as discipleship set to music. They're birthed from personal experiences and from sermons Mark is teaching the students of his youth group. When it comes to the depth of lyrics and rich stories behind the songs, nobody does it better than Casting Crowns. Here are a few of the band's most impactful songs.
"Who Am I"
"Who Am I" was released on Casting Crowns' self-titled debut album in 2003, and the band still makes space to perform it at their live shows. It's a powerful moment of worship every time for both the band and the audience. The ballad is about resting in our identity in God, knowing we are loved and cared for by Him because of His goodness, not because we've earned it. And the lyrics capture the worship that overflows from a thankful heart being awakened to those truths.
Standout Lyric:Not because of who I am/But because of what You've done/Not because of what I've done/But because of who You are
"Only Jesus"
This song was inspired by a sermon series Mark Hall taught the youth at his church about the heroes of the faith in the Bible. In a behind-the-song video, Mark shares that he doesn't think any of the biblical heroes woke up in the morning seeking to be a hero. They simply loved God so much that they followed Him and just did the very next thing He said. "Only Jesus" is an anthem declaring that instead of following the cultural pull to make much of ourselves and build our kingdoms we will follow Jesus and pour our lives out to make much of Him.
Standout Lyric: And I, I don't want to leave a legacy/I don't care if they remember me/Only Jesus/And I, I've only got one life to live/I'll let every second point to Him/Only Jesus
"Oh My Soul"
In an interview with TBN, Mark explains that "Oh My Soul" began in a moment he spent alone with God at the keyboard in his office after receiving a cancer diagnosis. As Mark wrestled with his own emotions, he was reminded of how David prayed in the psalms and particularly the way he spoke to his own soul in Psalm 42:11. David talked to God honestly about his emotions, but he also proclaimed the truth. Even in the toughest trials, this song will turn your attention to who God is and encourage your soul to hope in Him.
Standout lyric: Oh, my soul/You are not alone/There's a place where fear has to face the God you know/One more day, He will make a way/Let Him show you how, you can lay this down/'Cause you're not alone
"Just Be Held"
The opening lines of "Just Be Held" capture an emotion we've all probably felt at one time or another: "Hold it all together/Everybody needs you strong/But life hits you out of nowhere/And barely leaves you holding on." There are some powerful truths in the words of this song reminding us that we can surrender to Him and let Him carry us through the hard times instead of relying on our own strength. The creative decision to craft this song as a message of encouragement from God to the listener makes the lyrics hit home even more.
Standout Lyric: So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away/You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held/Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place/I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held/Just be held, just be held
"Lifesong"
In a season of tiredness and busyness in life, Mark realized, while worshiping at a Third Day concert with the youth group he pastors, that he was going through the motions and his worship wasn't coming from the heart. God convicted him with the Bible verse in Matthew 15:8 (NIV): "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." The lyrics stemmed from his prayer in response to that.
"Lifesong" reminds us that worship is more than a song. We're called to worship God with our entire lives. I appreciate Mark's vulnerability in writing these lyrics and that "Lifesong" is both a convicting challenge to us as believers and a prayer we can sing to God in worship and surrender.
Standout Lyric:Empty hands held high/Such small sacrifice/Now joined with my life/I sing in vain tonight/May the words I say/And the things I do/Make my lifesong sing/Bring a smile to You
"Praise You In This Storm"
"Praise You In This Storm" is easily one of Casting Crowns' most recognizable songs and breakout hits from their early career. It's my favorite musical arrangement from the band. Sonically and vocally, the song is equal parts tender and fierce and the lyrics are emotive all at the same time, just like an actual storm would feel.
The lyrics face the reality that life isn't easy all the time just because we follow Jesus. The lyrics also wrestle with what worship looks like while we walk through the storms of life. This song continues to carry so many people through tough times and leads them into worship in their trials.
Standout Lyric: But as the thunder rolls/I barely hear Your whisper through the rain/"I'm with you"/And as Your mercy falls/I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives/And takes away
"Scars In Heaven"
The lead single from the band's latest album Healer, "Scars In Heaven," is the kind of emotional ballad that Casting Crowns does so well. It's both a vulnerable prayer and a song of praise through pain that will touch the deepest places of your heart. Mark Hall wrote this song with fellow contemporary artist Matthew West as he witnessed his own mother taking care of her parents as they passed away. The song expresses what it's like to grieve the loss of a loved one and, at the same time, be encouraged knowing that our loved ones who have trusted in Jesus are in His arms for eternity, healed, and whole.
Standout lyric: 'Cause there's a wound here in my heart where something's missing/And they tell me that it's gonna heal with time/But I know you're in a place where all your wounds have been erased/And knowing yours are healed is healing mine
"Does Anybody Hear Her"
Casting Crowns is known for writing songs that challenge the Church to love the lost and the broken well. This song from their sophomore album, Lifesong, has been a fan favorite and was successful on radio as well, and it's understandable why. Using the illustration of a girl far from God, making mistakes, and looking for love in the wrong places, "Does Anybody Hear Her" calls believers to open their eyes to see the hurting and those far from Christ. It reminds us not to stand at a distance, rejecting them and judging them for their sins and mistakes, but to instead lovingly lead them to Jesus.
Standout Lyric:If judgment looms under every steeple/With lofty glances from lofty people/Who can't see past her scarlet letter/And we've never even met her
"Voice of Truth"
Personally, this is my favorite Casting Crowns song and the one I relate to the most. We all know what it's like to feel we're not good enough to be whom God has called us to be and do what God has called us to do. When sharing his personal testimony and introducing this song at live shows, Mark shares how God helped him work through the same feelings of inadequacy and insecurity as he stepped into his ministry calling to music and pastoring. The voice of the enemy may lie to us but this song reminds us to cling to the truth of who God is and what He says about us.
Standout Lyric:But the voice of truth tells me a different story/The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"/And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"/Out of all the voices calling out to me/I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
NRT contributor Jasmin Patterson is a lifelong fan of Christian music who is passionate about helping others connect with Christ. She lives in Kansas City where she serves in college ministry and runs a blog to help seekers and believers discover and live biblical Christianity.
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