This article will continue last week's dive into the best worship melodies of the year. I hope these songs inspire you to find more favorites from the featured artists as they lead us deeper into worship. This will be the last article of the year for the Worship Reflective. I hope everyone has a beautiful new year, and we will return in 2024.
"Praise The Lord" by Micah Tyler
"I've tasted, and I've seen
You've been so good to me
Got a melody inside my heart, oh
Here's a sweet, sweet sound."
Contemporary artist Micah Tyler presents the truth digestibly and can do this without filtering it. Such transparency is something I admire deeply, as preachers and musicians alike can sometimes get sucked into the people-pleasing pit. Micah does not even venture near this fault and shares his view of the Lord without fear. Real-life experiences have affirmed Micah's love for the Heavenly Father. He sings, "A million mercies surround me/I can feel them now." No doubt about it, Micah believes deeply in a living testimony. Not only has God worked in his life in the past, but He also continues to transform his perspective even now. That openness to change by the Lord is a characteristic we can all learn from. Let's praise the Lord in unison today.
"Runnin'" by Elevation Worship
"Your love is better than life
I can't even wrap my mind around it
One day here in Your house
Better than a thousand elsewhere. Your love
Keeps on runnin'."
I approached this song intending to emphasize the significance of bridging the gap between ourselves and God, acknowledging the distance we sometimes create. For some reason, we tend to avoid showing vulnerability and put on a tough exterior. But if God can already see through that facade, there is no reason to hide from His grace. Going back to my point, while we mentioned our figurative escape, the melody of the praise band Elevation Worship highlighted God's love for His children with much more enthusiasm.
As musician Brandon Lake so accurately says, "Surely, Your goodness and mercy will follow me/Every time I turn around." I appreciated him making Jesus the center of attention in this tune, and it's clear that Brandon also puts Him first in his personal life offstage. We cannot expect to neglect our relationship with Jesus in private moments and then publicly proclaim His name with success. Brandon does precisely the opposite of this negative possibility, and his apparent devotion allowed me to connect to this song even deeper. Turn back to the Lord; He has never stopped running after you and is ready for you to return.
"Live Out Loud" by Meredith Andrews
"My identity redeemed
My tomorrow is secure
I refuse to see through
Anything but faith."
The phrase the contemporary artist Meredith Andrews employs here, "I refuse to see through anything but faith," speaks of how impactful our perspective is on our circumstances. Of course, optimism cannot combat darkness by itself, but having a positive outlook allows for an unclouded trust in Jesus. This leads to a stronger belief that He will come through as He always does.
This song builds as it transitions into the bridge, and I cherished Meredith's prophecy mixed into this melody with the lyrics: "This is where dry bones get back up again/This is where dead dreams come to life again/This is where faith can change reality." Meredith has an incredible grasp of the Lord's power, and her dedication to sharing this with others is inspiringly unique. I pray that this anthem will resonate with you, no matter what you're going through. A perspective of faith is always applicable, and our God will always protect and provide; why not live out loud about those truths?
"Scandal of Grace (I'd Be Lost)" by Hillsong UNITED
"Death, where is your sting?
Your power is as dead as my sin
The cross has taught me to live
And mercy, my heart now to sing."
The melody's chorus strikes a familiar chord within me each time I hear it. I grew up singing these words in church but didn't stop considering what they meant until I listened to the famous worship band Hillsong UNITED sing them.
When worship leader Matt Crocker, the lead vocalist in this song, sings, "The cross has taught me to live," I was taken aback. Those few words hold immense meaning and urge listeners to reconsider their pursuits in life. Are we just surviving because we were placed on this Earth? Or are we recognizing the Lord's sacrifice for us and walking by it by serving Him? I'll first acknowledge my constant misdirection and confusion about the future. However, worship leader Taya Gaukrodger comes in during the bridge with, "It's all because of you, Jesus," and says He is "forever the hope in my heart." It was a literal articulation of an affirmation I often repeat. No matter the tangible path God takes me down, my heart remains devoted to Him as my only desire. "I'd be lost without you, Jesus," the team sings out. Let's remember to act on this faith, not just during the next few days, but for all our lives. His sacrifice on the cross has given us purpose, a monumental reason to praise Him.
"Oh, What A Friend" by 7 Hills Worship
"And oh, what a friend I have in Jesus
And oh, what a friend I found in Him
And oh, what a privilege to know He's always next to me."
Through several strenuous years of public school and the depths of social media, I have discovered many types of friends that exist. There are flaky friends and fake friends, friends who want to be more than friends, and friends you need to remember why you're friends with in the first place. But God. Oh, but God. He embodies none of those negative personalities. He ditches all stereotypes in favor of purely adoring His children.
The praise band 7 Hills Worship communicates that He is the friend who will never walk away and also the friend who loves at all times. Even better, He is never scared by our hidden extents that reek of darkness because He is the fragrance of the light—intoxicating with His passion and beauty all around. I pray that He will reveal this tenderness to you and that when you are in the most desperate need of a friend, you will look around and discover Him beside you, right where He promises He will be.
Selena Schulz is NRT’s youngest staff contributor. She loves God, music, reading, and writing.
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