Sometimes, great upbeat worship songs are needed to get the congregation back into a higher energy level. These songs will inspire people to raise their hands and voices, sing at the top of their lungs, or even dance. Whether using recorded music or a church ensemble, these are the 27 best upbeat worship songs.
1. Battles – The Afters
The last song written for The Afters’ album Live On Forever, “Battles” is a reminder that God is fighting for us, and that we are always near to Him, in the shallow and the deep of life’s struggles. He’ll hold your hands and is right there for you.
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2. 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman
In an adaptation of Psalm 103, Matt Redman—like the Psalmist, David—exhorts the listener to “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” Songwriter Redman calls this song a reminder to his listeners to bless the Lord and trust in His eternal faithfulness and love.
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3. How Great Thou Art – Paul Baloche
This upbeat cover of Carl Boberg’s classic hymn O Store Gud promises to bring the energy level of any congregation to a peak. It was inspired by the struggles and triumphs of Russian emigres in 19th Century Sweden. Paul Baloche’s beautiful rendition includes some fantastic instrumentation and his wonderful voice in praise.
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4. That’s All – Sister Rosetta Tharpe
The Godmother of Rock and Roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe recorded fearless popular music deeply inflected by her Christian spirituality. “That’s All” is a classic reminding us that no matter our education, we are naïve in the ways of the Lord and “Y’all got to have religion.”
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5. House of the Lord – Phil Wickham
This song by CCM hitmaker Phil Wickham is an exploration of happiness through God. Appropriately, its worshipful focus on things above rather than present circumstances is a proper message in dire times.
6. What a Beautiful Name – Hillsong Worship
Evoking the tenderness of God’s love and the sweetness of His presence. This song reminds us that He loved us through death and resurrection. It exhorts those who have never known the love of God and brings them to His knee.
7. Live Like You’re Loved – Hawk Nelson
From Hawk Nelson’s seventh studio album, this song brings the Canadian band’s polished chops to this song’s upbeat message. A favorite of the CMA charts, this single is especially popular for churches whose ensemble is on vacation, or who don’t have one.
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8. How Great Is Your Love – Phil Wickham
Another popular hymn setting by superstar Phil Wickham, this song is a symbol of a love so powerful it is beyond guilt or shame. Joyous, loud, and filled with strength, it reminds us of the bridegroom who chased after his beloved at any cost.
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9. I Surrender – Hillsong Worship
With a simple melody and a wonderful meaning, this song is about the awesome worship of surrendering yourself to God completely. Total humility before Him is the ultimate goal of worship, and it represents the lifetime choice of being one with Jesus.
10. Goodness of God – Jenn Johnson
Peaking at #15 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, it became a quick favorite after its release in 2019 on the album Victory. A great piece that takes on the loyalty and kindness of God, written during Jenn Johnson’s adoption of her fourth child.
11. Fresh Wind – Hillsong Worship
A song to remind listeners that they are loved by God and that every believer needs a fresh wind and the spirit of the Lord.
12. Canticle of the Sun – Marty Haugen
American liturgist Marty Haugen of GIA Publications composed this setting for the ELCA church in 1991, and it’s been a hymnal staple for three decades. With an easy, bright melody, this song is a popular one for congregations of all denominations.
13. This Is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham
The lead single from Phil Wickham’s fifth studio album, The Ascension, this critically acclaimed song is perfect for a lead-in or lead-out. Peaking at #24 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, it has some mainstream appeal as well.
14. God So Loved – We The Kingdom
A powerful song about the endless love of God, based on John 3:16, among other verses. Fans of the genre express their love, and it has been well-received in a critical sense, garnering praise and a nomination for the GMA Dove Awards for 2021.
15. New Name Written Down In Glory – Charity Gayle Featuring David Gentiles
![Charity Gayle - New Name Written Down In Glory (feat. David Gentiles) [Live]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/P7GP7aUg3Nk/0.jpg)
A testimony to the transformation available through Jesus. For anyone who needs a song for the transformative power of the Gospel, this is the right one for the moment. It brings generations together and glorifies God because of our names being written down in the Book of Life.
16. My Testimony – Elevation Worship
Encouraging listeners to embrace a more spirit-filled life in uncertain times, this song testifies to God’s sacrifice and good works for the listener, through the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. From the album Graves Into Gardens, it reminds us that any time is a good time to pray to the Lord.
17. The Father’s House – Cory Asbury
Written in the midst of a long and grinding tour, Cory Asbury’s song reflects on a moment of healing and restoration in which he realized he needed to offer his heart to God and He would alleviate his suffering.
18. Your Love Never Fails – Jesus Culture
A song of praise to the Savior and a reminder of God’s eternal faithfulness. Setting Psalm 30:5, this song’s simple message is that He always loves us. Our thankfulness for Him is the unfailing message of this amazing song.
19. Good Good Father – Chris Tomlin
This popular hymn is a sweet song of worship. Changing the script in a modern world where Christianity is more often known for its hypocrisies than for God’s love, this tune reintroduces the listener to the love of God and helps unlearn damaging things the listener has been told about the Father.
20. Reckless Love – Cory Asbury
With a chorus focusing on God’s creation and live-giving nature and his redemption, Cory Asbury’s song has become increasingly popular since its 2017 release. He wrote that in creating “Reckless Love,” he looked to describe a way that God loves without regard for His own welfare.
21. Good Grace – Hillsong UNITED
Rooted in the simple meaning of the Gospel, vocalist Taya Smith-Gaukrodger says the song comes from a belief that God can save anyone, because of His own goodness. The timeless message drives the tune with a simple call-and-response melody.
22. Hosanna – Hillsong Worship
“Hosanna” is one of the oldest worship settings in the Christian religion. Dating back to the early days of the church, it’s been composed and re-composed countless times in countless ways, reminding the worshiper of the call of the people to Jesus in his triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
23. All Hail King Jesus – Jeremy Riddle
“All Hail King Jesus,” by Jeremy Riddle, focuses on the praise of Christ’s death and resurrection. He says that telling the story of Jesus was the focus of this song and that it ended up being the story of the Gospel.
24. Jesus At The Center – Israel & New Breed
Reminding us that the most important relationship is with the Creator, this song exhorts the listener to put Jesus at the center and to bow and confess Him as Lord. Preaching strength, alleviation, and redemption in the name of Jesus, this tune does have a somewhat repetitive bridge that can be removed or cut short.
25. Break Every Chain – Tasha Cobbs
This song calls on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to bring His Kingdom where every form of slavery is abolished. Tasha Cobbs confesses Christ in words that harken back to the spirituals of the early 19th Century. A prayer for the chains of sin, vice, and division to be broken, this beautiful tune is a lovely reflection on God.
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26. Forever – Kari Jobe
Kari Jobe wrote this song with Brian Johnson, creating a unique collaboration on the classic theme of blessing the Name of God, lifting Jesus’ Name on high to light the way.
27. Honey In The Rock – Brooke Ligertwood And Brandon Lake
Brooke Ligertwood’s “Honey In The Rock” is acknowledged as one of the best woman-led worship songs in the genre today.
As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
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