When we get discouraged or life gets overwhelming, listening to worship music can be a powerful way to shift our focus from our circumstances to our Savior. Let’s take a look at some of the top worship songs of 2022 and discuss the reasons why these songs resonate with believers and unbelievers alike.
#1: You Say – Lauren Daigle
“You Say” is a song about value, which is probably why it resonates with audiences from every walk of life. In fact, according to SongFacts.com, “You Say” was the first song ever to reach #1 on both the Christian and Adult Contemporary airplay tallies.
Laren Daigle says, “‘You Say’ was written at a time when I felt like things were getting away from me and, honestly, I was feeling overwhelmed. This song became my anchor and my rock and it gave me truth. I hope it does the same for anyone that hears it.”
“The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identityOoh oh
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
– “yOU say” by lauren daigle
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe, (I) oh I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
Oh, I believe”
#2: Battle Belongs – Phil Wickham
This song is based on 2 Chronicles 20, where the Lord said to the people (through Jahaziel):
“‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
Phil Wickham wrote and released “Battle Belongs” at the beginning of 2020, not knowing that the song would become so relevant to so many as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It provided much encouragement and hope during these dark times.
#3: Rise Up (Lazarus) – CAIN & Zach Williams
Logan tells the amazing story behind the song “Rise Up (Lazarus)”:
“We are in the writer’s room. A guy, Ethan Hulse, begins to sing a chorus, and the three of us just become silent. Because months prior, Taylor had recorded a voice memo on her phone singing, not only those exact words, but that exact melody.”
“My story is one of secret. As I felt myself feeling separated from God, in cycles of destructive behavior and sin, the last thing I wanted to do was rise up. The last thing on earth that I wanted to do was to stand up and do what was right. When I feel defeated, it’s easy for me to recluse and it’s easy for me to become comfortable in that place. But I know that I know that I know that the voice of Jesus is always going to call me to rise up.”
“There’s no more feeling alive than when you finally decide ‘I’m gonna take the power that’s given to me by the blood that was shed on the cross and I’m gonna stand on top of this thing that has held me down.’ “
#4: God So Loved – We The Kingdom
It’s not difficult to see why “God So Loved” became a Christian Top 20 hit. The lyrics remind us of who God is and what He has done through His Son through Jesus. The gospel is a timeless message, and this is what makes “God So Loved” a classic.
“See His open arms
– “God so loved” by We the kingdom
The power of Hell
Forever defeated
Now it is well I’m walking in freedom
For God so loved
God so loved the world”
#5: Graves Into Gardens – Elevation Worship
The story behind “Graves Into Gardens”:
“Many of our songs come from sermons that Pastor Steven preaches. The title track, in particular, launched from a message of his called ‘The Mystery of Potential.’ He was in that 2 Kings passage which details that after the prophet Elisha died, his story didn’t end there. Two Israelites were near his gravesite about to bury another man. When they saw a band of enemy raiders coming, they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. As soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet (2 Kings 13:20-21).
Elisha still had a resurrection miracle left in his bones, and God is still in the business of bringing dead things back to life. If we’ll trust God even with the seemingly dead areas of our lives, if we’ll believe in the power of God, if we’ll declare resurrection power over everything we sow, nothing will be wasted.”