I often talk with pastors and church volunteers who would like to improve their church music but don’t know where to start. I always tell them that reforming church music begins with congregational music. Incorporating a healthy balance of old and new psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is vital for the life of the church.
I will post similar lists at a later time that include lists of old and new songs, but for now, I’d like to give you ten newly written hymns for your church’s congregational worship. Let me offer you some rationale on why I chose these ten hymns.
All of these congregation songs are
- Widely used. If you are familiar with the modern hymn-writing movement, then you are likely already familiar with these songs. Many of these songs are being used across the broader evangelical world, and many of them are already on CCLI’s top 100 list.
- Readily-available. All of these songs can be obtained through CCLI, and you can transpose them into the singable keys that I have recommended below with CCLI’s SongSelect tool.
- Singable. If you use the keys that I recommend below, the range of these songs should be comfortable for most singers in your congregation.
- Theologically sound. I realize that the soundness of theology will vary based on our traditions, but for most evangelical churches, I believe these songs will teach and admonish your congregation and allow the Word of Christ to dwell richly with your church.
- Actual hymns. For this list, I am sticking with a narrow definition of hymn: a Christian congregational song of praise with metrical poetry that is arranged as stanzas.
So, here is my list in no particular order…
Ten Newly Written Hymns for your Congregational Singing!
“In Christ Alone”
Recommended key for congregational singing: Eb
Keith Getty and Stuart Townend © 2001 Thankyou Music
“In Christ Alone” is one of the most widely sung modern hymns. If your church is not yet singing it, make it a priority to incorporate it before any other song on this list. This hymn offers a beautiful narrative of Christ’s life while reminding us of our hope in His gospel.
“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”
Recommended key for congregational singing: D
Stuart Townend © 1995 Thankyou Music
Like “In Christ Alone,” this song has stood the test of time; in 2025, it will be three decades old. “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us” offers a less common time signature (5/4) and very singable harmony, which makes it musically interesting without being overly complex or distracting.
“Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me”
Recommended key for congregational singing: D
Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson 2018 CityAlight Music; Farren Love And War Publishing; Integrity’s Alleluia! Music
“Yet Not I” offers an exposition of Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” for the Christian life from the beginning of salvation (“What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer”) to the end “when the race is complete.”
“Speak O Lord”
Recommended key for congregational singing: C
Keith Getty, Stuart Townend © 2005 Thankyou Music
“Speak O Lord” is not as widely used as some of the other hymns on this list, but it is a great song to use before the sermon. This prayer in song form employs Biblical imagery that asks the Lord to do a variety of things as the church prepares for preaching—speak, teach, test, and shape.
“Come People of the Risen King”
Recommended key for congregational singing: C
Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend © 2007 Thankyou Music
This is an exciting song that calls Christians to praise Christ, the Risen King. It is moderately fast, and for this reason, it works well as a musical call to worship. This song contains what I would call a refrain (e.g., the last line of “Hark the Herald Angels”), not a chorus, so I count it as a hymn!
“Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery”
Recommended key for congregational singing: D
Matt Boswell | Matt Papa | Michael Bleecker © 2012 Getty Music Hymns and Songs; Getty Music Publishing; Love Your Enemies Publishing; Bleecker Publishing; McKinney Music, Inc.
Although this song has a limited vocal range (less than an octave) for the melody line, it is a powerful account of the mystery of the gospel that Paul speaks about in Ephesians 6:18-20. Because of this limited range (D to Bb), this song is perfect for senior adult or children’s choirs.
“Before the Throne of God Above”
Recommended key for congregational singing: D
Charitie Lees Bancroft | Vikki Cook © 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship
“Before the Throne” is a mid-1800s hymn text that has been set to a new tune. Because this newly composed setting has helped this old text regain new interest, I have included it in my list. The text assists the singer in understanding the doctrine of Christ’s intercessory ministry.
“O Great God”
Recommended key for congregational singing: C
Bob Kauflin © 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise
“O Great God” helps the singer come to grips with who God is and who we are as humans in the presence of the Great God—”O great God of highest heaven occupy my lowly heart.” It is an appropriate song to use before or after the sermon or during a time of confession of sin.
“Behold the Lamb (Communion Hymn)”
Recommended key for congregational singing: C
Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend © 2007 Thankyou Music
For obvious reasons, this song is a joy to use when the Lord’s Supper is served to your membership. “Behold the Lamb” ties together the theme of the blood and body of the Lamb with the unified body of Christ.
“O Church Arise”
Recommended key for congregational singing: D
Keith Getty | Stuart Townend © 2005 Thankyou Music
“O Church Arise” is a call for Christians to engage in spiritual warfare. Although it employs the imagery of war and battle, this song is careful to remind us that “Our call to war” is to “love the captive soul” while raging “against the captor [Satan].” At our church, we like to use it as a song of dismissal for the benediction.
BONUS songs for congregational worship!
These songs did not make the list because they don’t match my definition of a hymn, but they are solid songs that you should consider also incorporating into your congregational music.
“His Mercy Is More”
Recommended key for congregational singing: F
Matt Boswell and Matt Papa © 2016 Getty Music Hymns and Songs; Getty Music Publishing; Love Your Enemies Publishing; Messenger Hymns
Unlike other songs on this list, “His Mercy Is More” can be used with a variety of tempos—try it slow or moderately fast. It is a joyful reminder of how our sin is cast as far as the East is from the West. We use it often within our service after the confession of sin.
“Behold Our God”
Recommended key for congregational singing: C
Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, Ryan Baird, and Stephen Altrogge © 2011 Sovereign Grace Praise; Sovereign Grace Worship
“Behold, Our God” is arguably actually a song, not a hymn (it has a chorus and a bridge), but its rich Scriptural imagery and simple meter earn it a spot on this list. It offers Christians a glimpse of the Sovereign God’s attributes and mighty deeds and pairs nicely with a reading from Isaiah 6:1-8.
“Christ Our Hope in Life and Death”
Recommended key for congregational singing: F
Jordan Kauflin | Keith Getty | Matt Boswell | Matt Papa | Matthew Merker © 2020 Getty Music Hymns and Songs; Getty Music Publishing; Jordan Kauflin Music; Love Your Enemies Publishing; Matthew Merker Music; Messenger Hymns
This song begins with Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism: “What is our only comfort in life and death?” It is a wonderful song about the hope that the Christian has because of life in Christ.
