10 Songs Churches Gravitated Toward During COVID-19

By Aaron Earls

Despite—or maybe because of—the global pandemic, churches continued to sing.

Even though they were scattered across their cities and communities, congregations still sang hymns and worship songs from their homes.

FaithLife found certain songs grew in popularity among the churches using their service. Here are the 10 most popular worship songs during COVID-19 that saw a significant jump in usage.

1. It Is Well With My Soul

It should come as no surprise that the classic hymn, written during a time of personal crisis, continues to encourage Christians to find comfort in Christ.

Despite its enduring status, it grew even more popular, with a 68% jump in usage from February to the months of the coronavirus.

Among the songs that grew in popularity during the pandemic, it was sung by churches the most often.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

2. Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Another classic hymn became even more special to churches in recent months. Use of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” grew 64%.

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me.

3. No Longer Slaves

The 2015 worship song grew in usage by 23% during the pandemic.

You unravel me
With a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance
From my enemies
‘Til all my fears are gone

I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God

4. Raise a Hallelujah

Released in 2019, “Raise a Hallelujah” brought comfort to churches and grew by 15%.

I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!

5. See a Victory

Another 2019 song that grew in 2020, “See a Victory” jumped 30%.

The weapon may be formed, but it won’t prosper
When the darkness falls, it won’t prevail
‘Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph
My God will never fail
Oh, my God will never fail

I’m gonna see a victory
I’m gonna see a victory
For the battle belongs to You, Lord
I’m gonna see a victory
I’m gonna see a victory
For the battle belongs to You, Lord

6. Solid Rock (My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less)

Many churches have been turning to old truths contained in timeless hymns like this one, which grew in usage by 49%.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name

On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

7. You Never Let Go

Matt Redmon’s 2006 worship song saw a 102% jump in popularity during the pandemic.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

8. Yes I Will

The 2018 song from Vertical Worship grew in popularity by 21%.

I count on one thing
The same God that never fails
Will not fail me now
You won’t fail me now
In the waiting
The same God who’s never late
Is working all things out
You’re working all things out<

Yes I will, lift You high in the lowest valley
Yes I will, bless Your name
Oh, yes I will, sing for joy when my heart is heavy
All my days, oh yes I will

9. Cornerstone

Hillsong’s 2012 song builds on the classic hymn already on the list, “Solid Rock,” and grew 11% in popularity.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus’ name

Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love
Through the storm
He is Lord
Lord of all

10. He Will Hold Me Fast

The modern hymn released by Keith and Kristyn Getty in 2016 saw a 46% jump in usage in recent months.

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life’s fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.

FaithLife also released graphics detailing which words were found most frequently in the 33 total songs that saw a significant jump in usage during the pandemic.

The first one shows which words were used most in all the songs.

According to their analysis:

The word “will” was most popular, showing up 183 times total (25 times in God will make a way, 22 times in Everlasting God and 18 times in He will hold me fast). It conveys hope and trust in what God will do.
Names of God (God (108), Lord (71), Jesus (47), Christ (29)) are next in popularity.
The 4th most prevalent word is “victory,” counted 53 times. This comes primarily from the two songs Psalm 23 (27 times) and See a Victory (20 times).