We are spoiled—spoiled by having so many talented Christian artists creating so many excellent songs. With 2023 now halfway in the books, I decided to make up a list of my favorites from the year so far. Hopefully there’s something here you’ll want to add to your own playlists…
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He Calls Me Friend by CityAlight
As it happens, I am heading to Australia today to spend some time with CityAlight and their church. They have just released a couple of new tracks from their upcoming EP and both are wonderful. The first, “He Calls Me Friend,” rejoices in our friendship with Jesus.
I have a friend, a faithful friend / And Jesus is His name / I have a friend, a Saviour friend / And Jesus is His name / He will not leave, / He stands by me / My Shepherd He remains.
My God is All I Need / My God is So Big by CityAlight
The second new track is “My God Is All I Need” which is a song of comfort.
He is my strength when I cannot go on / Peace when all my power is gone / Hope, although the night is long and deep / He is my song for He has rescued me / Joy now He has set me free Praise! / Praise to my Father be / My God is all I need.
All My Boast Is in Jesus by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Keith & Kristyn Getty
Getty Music has also released a couple of new tracks, both of them from the partnership of Matt Boswell & Matt Papa.
All my boast is in Jesus / All my hope is His love / And I will glory forever / In what the cross has done.
Our God Will Go Before Us by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Keith & Kristyn Getty
And then there is this song of comfort and encouragement which we introduced at Grace Fellowship Church last Sunday.
Our God will go before us / And guide us by his presence / What confidence this promise is / We will never walk alone.
When We Pray [Acoustic] by Citizens
I don’t usually prefer acoustic versions of songs more than standard ones, but in this case I am glad to make an exception.
For the mothers and the fathers on their knees / For the sons and daughters trapped in slavery / For the anxious heart that’s fighting for some peace / In Jesus name, you are free / In Jesus name, amen / In Jesus name, amen / In Jesus name, there’s nothing He can’t / When we pray in Jesus name.
Find Your People by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
I suppose there may be little that’s distinctly Christian about the lyrics to this one, but I like it as a celebration of the best kind of friendships.
In a world of strangers, you don’t know who to trust / All you see is danger, trying to find what you lost / You can’t go it alone, everybody needs help / You got to find your people then you’ll find yourself.
New Creation [Live From Red Rocks] by Mac Powell
Mac Powell is best known as the former lead singer of Third Day. This song appeared on his last album, though this live version is new. I appreciate it as a celebration of God’s salvation.
You brought me blessings out of a tragedy / You turned my old song into a symphony / And with Your Spirit living inside of me / I’m a new creation.
Make Your Own Mistakes by Wilder Woods
Wilder Woods is the stage name for Bear Rinehart, the lead singer of the band Needtobreathe. This song from his solo project is a call for the coming generation to avoid making the mistakes of the previous one.
‘Cause I don’t want you to follow me down those / Same crooked roads to the same old places / I just want you to / Go your own way / You don’t have to chase down the same dreams I did / A heart like yours is hard to break / So go and make your own mistakes.
Running Home by Cochren & Co.
This is another salvation story.
It wasn’t where I thought we’d meet / Outside of a dorm room on Franklin Street / With tears in my eyes in the driver’s seat / That’s just the place God came for me.
I’ll Fly Away [Live] by the Gray Havens
The Gray Havens have been releasing a series of covers. My favorite so far is this live version of “I’ll Fly Away.”