Phil Wickham tops the list when I think of worship leaders and songwriters crafting songs of worship and prayer for the Church with musical excellence and a pure heart of worship. I remember the first time I saw him live in concert early in his career at a theater in New York City. He was one of the opening artists at a Christian festival show that night. It was just him, his guitar, and a spotlight on that stage. There was no band, no fancy lights or production. And he led the whole room, filled with a couple thousand people, in one of the most intimate, powerful, and sincere worship times I've ever experienced. I've learned a lot from him as a worship leader and have sung his songs in my church groups and personal times with God for years. I know countless others could say the same.
Phil released his self-titled debut album in 2006. If you include studio worship, live singalong, acoustic, and Christmas albums, he has released over 15 records, including his latest project, I Believe. If you want to get familiar with Phil Wickham's music, here are some essential songs to get you started.
"House of the Lord"
I chose "House of the Lord" as it's one of my favorite songs by Phil. You've undoubtedly heard this song on your local Christian radio station or sung it at your church. The midtempo praise tune was born from Phil's conversation with his pastor during the COVID-19 pandemic. He wanted to write a song about the joy of gathering in God's house with fellow believers, a pleasure we all missed so much during a time when we could not gather in person. This song is fun; it focuses on God's character and reminds us why we worship Him.
Standout Lyric:We worship the God who was/We worship the God who is/We worship the God who evermore will be/He opened the prison doors/He parted the raging sea/My God, He holds the victory/ There's joy in the house of the Lord/There's joy in the house of the Lord today/And we won't be quiet/We shout out Your praise
"I Believe"
The title track of Phil's 2023 album, I Believe, feels like a modern take on one of the creeds of the Christian faith combined with a hymn. Proclaiming the central doctrinal truths we believe as Christians is powerful, but this song is unique because it declares the faith from a heart posture of worship and combines the best of both worlds.
Standout Lyric: I believe there is one salvation/One doorway that leads to life/One redemption, one confession/I believe in the name of Jesus Christ/I believe in the crucifixion/By His blood, I have been set free/I believe in the resurrection/Hallelujah, His life is death's defeat
"Cannons"
"Cannons" is one of Phil's first songs to gain popularity early in his music career, and it's still much-loved today. Inspired by God's creation, the song is about His holiness, majesty, and honor through the beauty of the never-ending song of praise that rises to Him from His people. It reminds me of Psalm 19, which talks about how creation testifies to the glory of God without speaking words.
Standout Lyric: Beautiful and free/The song of galaxies/Reaching far beyond the Milky Way/Let's join in with the sound/Come on, let's sing it out/As the music of the universe plays/Singing, You are holy, great and mighty
"You're Beautiful"
This is another of Phil's early songs that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so. In a song stories video, Phil explained that he was inspired to write the song after hearing a sermon on the vastness of God's love for us and chose to respond in worship.
Standout Lyric:I see Your face in every sunrise/The colors of the morning are inside your eyes/The world awakens in the light of the day/I look up to the sky and say you're beautiful
"Battle Belongs"
Released on his 2021 album, Hymn of Heaven, "Battle Belongs" has seen massive success on Christian radio and become an anthem in the Church. The lyrics remind us that we fight the battles of life "on our knees" through prayer and that, ultimately, the battle belongs to God, not to us. This song helps us embrace humble dependence on God and confidently trust in the victories He will win for us. "Battle Belongs" is also the inspiration behind Phil's devotional book about prayer, On Our Knees: 40 Days To Living Boldly In Prayer.
Standout Lyric:So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees/With my hands lifted high/Oh God, the battle belongs to You/And every fear I lay at Your feet/I'll sing through the night/Oh God, the battle belongs to You
"Anthem"
I had to include "Anthem" because it's my favorite Phil Wickham song to introduce to people. Over the years, "Anthem" has meant so much to me and my faith community, as we've sung this song to God many times. My most treasured moments in my walk with Jesus are the simple, hidden moments of singing my love and prayers to Him alone in my room, often using the songs of Christian artists like Phil Wickham to give me language.
"Anthem" reminds me of those special moments and has facilitated those moments in my time alone with God. I love the message that Jesus is the anthem of our hearts and the anchor of our souls, and we love nothing more than Him. The bridge, especially, lists some attributes of Jesus as many reasons to love Him.
Standout Lyric: Faithful to the end/God You are always good/Where do I begin/There's so many reasons to love You/Your promise never breaks/Your beauty never fades/What else can I say/There's so many reasons to love You
"Hymn of Heaven"
Phil describes "Hymn of Heaven" as "hope for the future and a prayer for now." The song was inspired by an idea from co-songwriter and fellow worship leader Brian Johnson of Bethel Music. The song is about angels and believers worshiping God around His throne in heaven and longing to be a part of that.
Standout Lyric: So let it be today we shout the hymn of Heaven/With angels and the saints, we raise a mighty roar/Glory to our God who gave us life beyond the grave/Holy, holy is the Lord
"This Is Amazing Grace"
"This Is Amazing Grace" is about God's amazing love and grace. It's become a staple song in the Church to remind us of the cross and the gospel's impact on our lives and to help us worship God for those things. Phil sings about how God forgives sinners, makes orphans sons and daughters in His family, brings our chaos into order, rules the nations, and more. I love this song because it tangibly states how the gospel and what Jesus did for us on the cross are worked out and experienced in transforming our lives. And you can't help but overflow with praise and gratitude when you think about that.
Standout Lyric: You laid down Your life/That I would be set free/Oh, Jesus, I sing for/All that You've done for me/Worthy is the Lamb who was slain/Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
"The Jesus Way"
This is another single from Phil's album, I Believe. This song is about choosing to live in the way of Jesus. It's a different approach thematically to a congregational worship song, but it's so refreshing, and I love it because it captures the theme of worshiping Jesus with your life, not just your songs. In John 14, Jesus said those who love Him would obey His commandments. In the lyrics, Phil doesn't shy away from acknowledging the more challenging commands of Jesus that we're called to follow. He sings about forgiving those who hurt us, defending the helpless, praising God through persecution, and more.
The realities of dying to self to follow Christ and His ways and the call to take up our cross daily are prominent in the song. Equally notable is the sacrificial love and surrendered devotion to Jesus that only He can produce in our hearts. Jesus is worthy of this kind of response that, as His disciples, we would allow Him to make us more like Him and live the way He calls us to.
Standout Lyric: If you strike me, I will embrace you/And if you chain me, I'll sing His praise/And if you kill me, my home is heaven/For I choose the Jesus way
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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