I've enjoyed listening and worshiping along with my favorite modernized hymns in compiling a fresh list. Also drawing from Shane & Shane's album, Hymns Live, and The Worship Initiative's Vol. 25, Vol. 26, Vol. 27, Vol. 28, Vol. 29, Vol. 30, and Keith and Kristyn Getty's album, Sing! Global, this list is comprised of ten more of my favorite modern hymns, encompassing both reinvented classics and some recently written hymns for the church.
I didn't grow up as a Christian or listening to hymns in my youth. I wasn't saved until after college in my twenties. As a result, I have an emotional connection to the truth of hymns. The truth of the words cut very close to my heart. I did live my life clinging to something other than Jesus. I did have idols in my life other than Jesus. I can sing these songs with abandon partly because I have regrets that I lived any of my life without knowing these truths. These songs are all a great way to sing Scripture and worship Jesus in Spirit and in Truth. This is a list of my top ten favorite modern versions of classic faith songs that stir my soul and cause my heart to reflect in awe and wonder on the majesty and grace of our loving Savior Jesus. The contemporized arrangements, new choruses, and sometimes complete reworkings help these deep and meaningful songs shine.
Enjoy, and God bless!
"His Mercy is More" by Shane & Shane.
You'll want to sing along, "What riches of kindness He lavished on us/His blood was the payment, His life was the cost/We stood 'neath a debt we could never afford/Our sins, they are many, His mercy is more."
"O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" by Audrey Assad feat. Fernando Ortega
Beautiful rendition of this hymn of the faith: "O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!/Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!/Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love/Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!"
"By the Grace of God" by The Worship Initiative
Beautiful song that declares, "His love is like the mighty ocean/His love for me will never stop/Oh His arms are strong enough to carry me/Through it all by the grace of God."
"Psalm 90 (You Satisfy My Soul)" by Shane & Shane
Reflect and sing out to Him: "The wrath of God poured out for sin/On Jesus crucified Consider Him our hiding place/Our shelter is alive/Because He lived and died for us/When the sun comes up satisfy us/Before the day has passed us by/Before our hearts forget all Your goodness/Satisfy us with Your love."
"God You're So Good" by The Worship Initiative
This song celebrates the truth written in The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, which depicts Aslan (God) as described in the book and movie: "He's not safe, but He's good." Yes, He's very good. The message of this song challenges listeners to think about our own doubts and how Jesus calls us to rely on Him and the power of His resurrection to remember that He has overcome death and fear. I'm challenged to remember to count my blessings and sing Him this song, "I am blessed, I am called, I am healed, I am whole/I am saved in Jesus' name, Highly favored, anointed/Filled with Your power/For the glory of Jesus' name."
"O Church Arise" by Keith & Kristyn Getty
You'll want to rise and join in with the church and sing the refrain: "Arise, shine for your light has come/Arise, shine for the Risen Son/Lift your eyes, we are His radiant bride/Arise, o church arise!"
"A Thousand Hallelujahs" by The Worship Initiative
His grace takes away anxiety, guilt, and shame. Know that being His is enough. I love the lyrics, "With a thousand hallelujahs/We magnify Your name/You alone deserve the glory/The honor and the praise/Lord Jesus this song is forever Yours/A thousand hallelujahs and a thousand more." The foretaste of that blessed truth causes me to sing along loudly, "Who else would die for our redemption?/Whose resurrection means I'll rise?/There isn't time enough to sing of all You've done/But I have eternity to try."
"Christ Our Hope in Life and Death" by Keith & Kristyn Getty
Stand in awe of Christ and proclaim the truth: "There we will rise to meet the Lord/Then sin and death will be destroyed/And we will feast in endless joy/When Christ is ours forevermore."
"The Greatness of Our God" by The Worship Initiative
"Greatness Of Our God" is a ballad recognizing our fragile existence in view of God's incomprehensible greatness. "Greatness of Our God" is a great way to pray along and remember that God will never leave or forsake you. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Jesus. Sing along: "No sky contains, no doubt restrains/All You are/The greatness of our God/I spend my life to know/And I'm far from close to all You are/The greatness of our God."
"He Will Hold Me Fast" by Keith & Kristyn Getty
I am comforted by the biblical promise in the lyrics: "For my life He bled and died/Christ will hold me fast/Justice has been satisfied/He will hold me fast/Raised with Him to endless life/He will hold me fast/Till our faith is turned to sight/When He comes at last."
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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