We’ve heard some wonderful new worship music in 2018. Although there were many fresh voices making debuts throughout the year, most of the popular new worship songs from 2018 came from established artists whose names go hand in hand with the worship movement. Each of the entries on our list of popular new worship songs has experienced success on the charts and in radio airplay and have been largely accepted by churches nationwide. We love the old hymns as much as anyone else, but it’s always nice to see Christian music becoming more expansive. Here are some of the popular new worship songs of 2018.
One of the year’s biggest hit songs by far was “Reckless Love” from Cory Asbury. Before this song, Asbury mostly worked as a worship leader and collaborated with groups like Bethel. Now his music is known by millions of believers around the world. “Reckless Love” took home two awards at the 2018 K-LOVE Fan Awards for Breakout Single and Worship Song of the Year. Asbury’s hit look at just how awesome the love of God is from a human perspective. Though God is always in control, from our viewpoint his love is so confusingly wonderful.
Building off of that “Reckless Love” God has for us, we can often forget just how important we are in God’s eyes. He sent His Son Jesus down to die for us, so how could we ever allow ourselves to doubt our own value? “Who You Say I Am” is the latest from Hillsong Worship. Appearing on the 2018 album “There Is More,” the song enamored believers from the get go. We dare you not to get excited when belting out the words “I am chosen / Not forsaken / I am who You say I am / You are for me / Not against me / I am who You say i am.”
Chris Tomlin’s name has been found next to many of the biggest worship songs of the last 15 years, from “Good Good Father” to “Indescribable.” The first single from his latest album, “Holy Roar,” is picking up where the others left off. “Resurrection Power” is a ballad detailing the new life which Christians experience upon coming into contact with Christ. Like many other Tomlin songs, “Resurrection Power” is an infectious track that is really pleasant to the ears. The singer followed up with “Nobody Loves Me Like You” later in the year.
With so many different iterations of Hillsong these days, you just knew there would be more popular new worship songs from 2018. “Not Today” is the third track released from Hillsong UNITED’s 2017 album “Wonder,” following behind the title song and “So Will I (100 Billion X).” This new worship jam instructs listeners to keep Satan at bay by declaring the name of Jesus and trusting in His promises. “Not Today” is one of the oddballs on our list because even though it came out last year, it’s hitting peak airplay on the radio in the last quarter of 2018.
Although he mixes in more radio-friendly songs in his albums, Phil Wickham has a long career in worship music. “Living Hope,” the singer’s most recent album, backs this up with a title track that is nothing but worship. The song is a celebration of what Christ did for us on the cross, tracing from our position pre-Calvary to an all-out explosion of joy following the resurrection. “Living Hope” is definitely one of the year’s most popular new worship songs.
One of the most exciting additions to the worship genre in the last 10 years has been Elevation Worship. Just in the last few years the band has released several successful worship albums with “There Is a Cloud” and “Here As In Heaven.” The group’s newest album, “Hallelujah Here Below” has continued that success with a number of great new songs. “Echo” (featuring Tauren Wells) is a fun track full of joy, but speaking on popular new worship songs, we’d pick “Here Again” as our favorite from the album. This song really builds into a beautiful expression of worship, asking God to meet with us so that we can feel His power.
Worship songs performed in a stadium are wonderful, but sometimes it’s nice to strip things down to a simple message with a chorus of proclamation. In the first single off his self-titled debut album, Pat Barrett hits a real winner with “The Way (New Horizon).” No matter what we are going through in life, it doesn’t change who God is. His status of being omnipotent, holy, and loving, is not dependent on how our day goes. That’s a truth about worship we can all get behind.
Along with Bethel Music, Elevation Worship, Hillsong, and others, Vertical Worship has increasingly pumped out exciting new worship material for the Christian masses. In 2018 Vertical Worship came out with “Bright Faith Bold Future,” the biggest hit on which was “Yes I Will.” The song is a reminder to choose God each and every day, renewing your faith through every trial and victory. What a great call to worship!
If you find the real world to be stifling and constantly trying to control you, it might be time to remember the freedom you have in Christ. Jesus Culture’s latest worship song, sung by Kim Walker-Smith, wants you to know that true freedom can be found in the name of Jesus. The track is an uplifting, upbeat time of praise full of Biblical truth that will turn your whole day around. “Freedom” can be found on Jesus Culture’s 2018 release, “Living With a Fire.”
That does it for the popular new worship songs of 2018. We are so glad to have new music from these artists and so many others. Their work helps us to better worship throughout the week and keep things fresh music-wise with a steady flow of material. The K-LOVE Fan Awards is an event all about celebrating these Christian musicians and the fans who enjoy their music. Find out how you can enjoy the ultimate fan experience by clicking on the link below.
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