Writing Songs for Worship
Let me start by saying that I’m not sure I know what I’m talking about when it comes to songwriting. The more I write, the more I’m convinced I don’t know how to write. And yet, something keeps me coming back to the table (or the guitar), eager to start a new song.
There’s the joy of finding the spark of a fresh idea, the challenge of putting all the pieces together, the refining of each line until you’re sure (or at least think you are) it’s just right, and the shared experience of looking to God’s Word with fellow writers as you labor together that makes the process so rewarding.
So, disclaimers aside about how you can always improve, always grow in the craft, always learn something new, here are a few thoughts to consider when writing songs for worship.
Write Your Prayers
Our songs are prayers. Prayers of confession, repentance, praise, and thanksgiving. They are prayers of adoration and exaltation. Each one has a purpose. Each one has a focus.
When beginning a new song, try to create a space that is free from distractions and encourages prayerful focus. This can be as simple as finding an isolated place, singing through some of your favorite worship songs, reading scripture, and praying to the Lord.
Several songs I’ve written immediately followed a time of worship with our church. I’ve found that my heart is tuned and ready to respond when I begin to write from a place of worship. My prayers flow freely and my words face less obstacles and distractions.
As is the case with the prayers you bring to the Father regularly, write from a place of honesty and brokenness, joy and gladness. Pray His Word, finding Your anchor in the unchanging truth we’ve been given.
Let your song be a prayer set to melody.
Center On One Idea
Moving more towards the practicalities of writing, try to focus on one central idea. What is the one thing on which you want the song to focus? It can become easy to try to say too much about too many things, so exercise self-discipline in keeping yourself laser-focused on ONE THING.
Let your chorus find its foundation in that one thing, let your verses journey toward that one thing, and let your bridge respond to that one thing.
You don’t have to cover every doctrine or eloquently unpack the entirety of the gospel. While there are many great songs that have successfully covered a lot of ground (ex: In Christ Alone), don’t feel burdened to say everything there is to say and don’t let yourself chase every side street within your song. Stay dialed in on your one thing.
Write about His grace, patience, steadfast love, abundant mercies, or sovereignty.
This is often difficult to do, but your song will be better for it and your congregation will walk away with a singular truth in mind.
Seek Feedback
Receiving feedback on your song, good and bad, is one of the best tools you have in getting your song across the finish line. It’s hard to not hold on to each idea you come up with, but viewing your ideas as precious can greatly limit your song’s potential. Allow others to speak into the song by seeking out good feedback.
Turn to trusted friends and believers. Invite feedback from fellow musicians and songwriters. Their insight can help point out blindspots in your song, missed opportunities, confusing lines, and other issues that can hinder its effectiveness.
If you are a worship leader, allow the room you lead to guide the refinement of your new song. How does each line land in the room? Is one section engaging people, while another seems to disconnect them?
Sometimes, singing a song in your office or bedroom flows better than when presented to a room of dozens or hundreds of voices. Lines become more jumbled. Syllable count and phrasing can become difficult when sung by a congregation. These issues can be identified more effectively when leading the song with your people, so bring it to them with open hands and a willing spirit to change and refine.
Keep Your People In Mind
When writing a song for worship, never lose sight of the people God has placed in front of you. Write with them in mind. What are they walking through? What issues are they facing? What has God been showing your church in His Word? What truths does your congregation need to be reminded of today?
Are people in your congregation suffering from illnesses? Write and sing about God’s provision and healing. Are marriages struggling? Write and sing about God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Are people facing seasons of uncertainty and chaos? Write and sing about God as our Rock and Salvation.
Personalizing a song, or writing a song with a specific person or persons in mind, can help you shape the lyrics in a way that can minister not just to a few, but to many. If you saw a brother or sister experiencing grief or loss, you’d offer them words of comfort and assurance. Your songwriting can be approached in the same way.
There are a thousand other tips and words of advice that could be given with regards to songwriting (key selection, vocal ranges, symmetrical writing, and so on and so on), but I’ve found that these few tips can help steer you in a positive direction.
Songwriting is filled with creativity and struggle. It has ups and downs. It brings joy and frustration. I heard it said that when we write songs, we’re just building a boat. We can spend all the time we want in perfecting our boat, but ultimately it is God who puts wind in the sails. Never lose sight of the One you’re writing about. Our songs are for Him and so that He may receive glory from His Church.
Author: David Leonard is the worship pastor at Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Ridgeland, MS. Songs he has written and performed are available on iTunes and Spotify by searching for Colonial Heights Worship.
