Best Worship Songs of 2018: A Half Yearly Review

With the first half of 2018 behind us, let's take a moment to reflect on some of the best worship songs that have been released this year.  This year, we have no shortage of new worship albums by the movers and shakers of the genres. So, here goes:

10. Cory Asbury "Garments" from "Reckless Love"

The name Cory Asbury may be synonymous with "Reckless Love," but he's far from a one hit wonder.  Out of the same album is "Garments." The use of contrast in the verses between how God sees us and how we often view ourselves is spiritually liberating. This song presents a great teaching moment for the church to see the "before" and "after" of what Jesus does to us. 

9. Worship Central "Stir a Passion" from "Stir a Passion"

Give "Stir a Passion" a spin and within a couple of listens you will find yourself  humming. And this is one of the rare instances where we actually hear the congregation singing louder than the worship leader; a testament to the power of the song's accessibility.

8. LIFE Worship "Freedom at the Cross" from "Speak to the Storm"

You can never run out of songs if you sing about the Cross.  "Freedom" is not only sublime in its melody but it has such a holy atmosphere that it keeps drawing us in to worship.

7. Hillsong Young and Free "First Love" from "III"

"First Love," a top-notched worship ballad, is a sincere prayer to God to effect his call on friends who have wandered away from the faith. There are indeed many songs out there about evangelism but few are as sincere and earnest as this.

6. Phil Wickham "Living Hope"

Wickhham's "Living hope" narrows the gap between hymns and modern worship choruses.  In the tradition of the Gettys, this is a well-crafted new hymn with each verse developing upon the story of salvation culminating in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Definitely for those who like more theological meat and narratives to their worship songs.

5. Passion Worship "More Like Jesus" from "Whole Heart"

While many worship songs deal with being blessed by God, Stanfill's "More Like Jesus" speaks of self-surrender that is made even more poignant by setting at its precedence Christ's own sacrifice. 

4. Hillsong Worship "Remembrance" from "There is More"

Few songs deal with the doctrine of perseverance. "Remembrance," a pensive ballad coming from the Australian mega church team, gives articulation to how we can persevere through the trials of life by keeping the Cross of Jesus central.  While many songs rightly focus on the Cross, this song deals with how the Cross moves with us through life.

3. Passion "God You're So Good" from "Whole Heart"

How is God good?  The cross of Jesus is the greatest illustration of love. "God You're So Good" not only brings this illustration to life, in the final verse, it even shows how God is still good in sufferings. Coherent, catchy and with a ring of familiarity (the chorus utilizes the children's chorus "God is so Good") this is a must-sing.   

2. Lincoln Brewster "While I Wait" from "God of the Impossible"

Waiting is never a pleasant word to our unregenerate ears.  Yet, it's a word that God often uses to muscle up our faith.  Lincoln Brewster's "While I Wait" is both sympathetic to those who are waiting as well as it helps not to loose our focus on God. Moreover, "While I Wait" is choke full of heart-hitting lines with the favourite being: "I live by faith and not by sight/Sometimes miracle takes time."

1. Here Be Lions "God Would You Forgive Us" from "Only a Holy God" 

Leading the charge is the extra-superb ballad "God Would You Forgive Us." Decrying the spiritual degradation of the western church by detailing a laundry list of sins from idolatry to racism to empathy, this song is an soul-opener of how much we need to repent and seek the Lord in humility.  Instead of those usual self-focused worship songs, this song actually has something to say and it has a message that really needs to be heard. 

 

 

Tags : hillsong worship passion lincoln brewster Phil Wickham hillsong young and free here be lions LIFE worship cory asbury Best Worship Songs of 2018: A Half Yearly Review Worship Central Integrity Music bethel music Worship Music