As the United States joins other countries in implimenting “shelter in place” requirements to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), many may find themselves lonely, discouraged, anxious, and fearful.
The good news is that the Bible not only provides many verses to help address these feelings, but it also encourages us through song:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16, emphasis added).”
In every season and in every emotion (including loneliness, discouragement, anxiety, and fear), we are encouraged to hear and sing the truth of God so that the word of Christ may dwell in us richly.
Here are some songs of encouragement that I have curated to remind us of what is true, good, and beautiful in this trying time. Though the below list is not an exhaustive and may not meet everyone’s personal tastes in musical styles and genre, the hope is that it may be an encouraging reminder of God’s faithfulness and steadfast love.
1. “Nothing to Fear” by The Porter’s Gate and Audrey Assad
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
And the depths of the river shall not overwhelm
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned
I am the Lord, I am the Lord
And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear
There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear
For I am with you always
Buy “Nothing to Fear” for $0.99 via Amazon Music
2. “Lift Your Eyes Up” by Mona Reeves
There is a power stronger than evil
Wider than sorrow
There is a mountain over the shadows
Where the sun is shining downLift your eyes up, children of Zion
Lift your eyes up, children of Zion
Hold on, hold on
Your help comes from the Lord
Buy “Life Your Eyes Up” for $0.99 via Amazon Music
3. “Eternal Weight of Glory” by Wendell Kimbrough
Now the days and hours and moments
Of our suff’ring seem so long;
And the toilsome wait and wond’ring
Threaten silence to our song.
Now our pain is real and pressing
Where our faith is thin and weak,
But our hope is set on Jesus;
And we cling to him, our strength.
Buy “Eternal Weight of Glory” for $0.99 via Amazon Music.
4. “My World Needs You” by Kirk Franklin, Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tamela Mann
Storms may come but when we call your name
All things change
Kingdoms fall,
One thing forever reigns is your name
The anchor that holds me in my pain stays the same
Oh how sweet to know that your great name
Will never change
Buy “My World Needs You” for $1.29 via Amazon Music.
5. “Rescuer (Good News)” by Rend Collective
He is beauty for the blind man
Riches for the poor
He is friendship for the one the world ignores
He is pasture for the weary
Rest for those who strive
For the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life
Yes the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life
Buy “Rescuer” for $1.29 via Amazon Music.
6. “Akekho Ofana No Jesu (There’s No One Like Jesus)” – Traditional Zulu Worship Song
Akekho ofana No Jesu (There’s no one like Jesus)
Akekho ofana Naye (There’s no one like Him)
Akekho ofana No Jesu (There’s no one like Jesus)
Akekho ofana Naye (There’s no one like Him)
Buy “Akekho Ofana No Jesu” for $1.29 via Amazon Music.
You can listen to the songs listed above and others on a Spotify playlist I’ve created.
