Hymns are a great way to learn how to sing regardless of your religious practises.
If you’re Christian and regularly attend masses and ceremonies like marriages, baptisms, or funerals, you’ll have lots of opportunities to sing these songs with lots of people, so you can recognise your singing progress frequently.
Since hymns are designed to be sung by anyone, it means most of them are very easy to sing and aren't under any kind of copyright license so you can print the music and sing it anywhere, any time without worry.
But hymns aren’t the only way to practise singing and stick to Christian songs! Christian pop is a huge genre of music and allows you to sing something a little more modern while still praising the Lord at the same time!
Read on to find out which hymns and modern Christian songs are great for singing practise!
Traditional Hymns to Practise Singing
Traditional hymns make fantastic songs to sing whenever the Spirit moves you; that’s part of why they often make such great Christmas tunes!
You can find tonnes of videos of different people singing these hymns in all different styles because they are so popular and practised widely.
Oh Happy Day
Oh Happy Day is a gospel arrangement of a hymn written in 1755 by clergyman Philip Doddridge. The song was created in 1967 by The Edwin Hawkins Singers who had success in the United States and around the world selling over 7 million copies, and it even made it to spot #20 in the New Zealand radio charts in ‘68-’69.
Several artists have covered this song since it was written:
- The Edwin Hawkins Singers
- Quincy Jones
- Joan Baez
- Aretha Franklin
- Etta James
- Judy Collins
The song talks about Jesus washing away the sins of Man and how believers can now be happy. It’s a way to praise the Lord and is very popular across the entire English-speaking world. It’s hard not to get drawn into its joyful melody.
Shine, Jesus, Shine (Lord, the Light of Your Love)
Upbeat and exciting, this traditional hymn was written in 1987 by Graham Kendrick and is meant to help inspire enthusiasm in church-goers (especially children). It seems to get the job done because it was voted the 10th favourite hymn of the UK in 2005 according to the BBC's Songs of Praise programme.
You can practise a simple singing style, go for some complicated vocals, or even work on your head and chest voice with opportunities to get loud in this song!
Lord, the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth You now bring us
Shout to the Lord (My Jesus, My Savior)
Written by Darlene Zschech of Brisbane, Australia in 1993, this hymnal song is more modern but echoes traditional psalms like Psalm 47:1 and Psalm 92:4.
The tune is moving and reminiscent of the ‘90s - in a good way! It feels like a power ballad and urges the singer to let loose, singing out loud to their heart’s content.
It’s also a great source of encouragement for aspiring singers and songwriters to know that they, too, can create an embraced traditional-style worship song if they want!
Abide with Me
This hymn was written in 1847 by Henry Francis Lyte to Eventide by William Henry Monk. The hymn is a request for help from God during our trials and tribulations and is regularly used by various Christian denominations during mass and is also often used as a funeral song.
On a cheerier note, it's also traditionally sung 15 minutes before the FA Cup Final kick-off and the kick-off at every Rugby League Challenge Cup Final since the late 20s.
It's a powerful and emotional hymn that every budding singer should look into singing. There is even a beautiful modern rock version performed by Matt Maher that can help you practise singing since it’s one voice rather than a whole choir.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me
Māori Hymns for Singing Practise
Since Christianity was spread to the native people of New Zealand and embraced over the past 200-ish years, there have been many hymns and Christian songs written in Māori. Here are just a few of the best ones to practise your singing with!
Ka Waiata Ki a Maria
Slow and pronounced, this Māori Catholic hymn allows you to practice sustained notes and a healthy amount of vibrato. First written and performed by New Zealand composer Richard Puanaki and his singing group in 1988, it praises Mary as the mother of Jesus and the world.
Te Karakia O Te Atua
This beautiful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer in Māori gives you a way to sing praise in this incredible language. It can also be a perfect song to sing daily as part of your prayers.
Wairua Tapu
Composed by Dr. Swee Hong Lim in 2004, this beautiful song can also be paired with kapa haka for a truly exceptional group singing experience.
Christian Pop and Christian Rock for Singing Practise
Finding beautiful worship songs that don’t sound like your average day at church is easy with the rise of mainstream Christian music! There are many bands who only write and record Christian songs, and there are some who sing about multiple topics.
No matter what sound you like, there is likely a Christian song in that genre waiting for you to learn it!
What a Beautiful Name
What a Beautiful Name is a 2017 song from the Australian praise and worship group Hillsong Worship. This beautiful song and its positive message won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.
It’s a modern-style song that holds the traditional hymnal sound close by, making it perfect for learning to sing something simple, beautiful, and moving.
True Love
This song by Equippers Revolution is upbeat and has a sound similar to the pop-punk genre that permeated the 00’s and early 10’s. Its message is timeless and full of gratitude, finding true love in God rather than worldly things.
It's got the perfect sound for casual singing out loud, perhaps on a car trip with the windows down!
Faithful, righteous
God, I'm glad that I found You
No more searching
I'm so glad that I've found
True love, I feel true love
This is true love, I find true love in You
Holy Spirit Come
This Christian rock song by Grace Vineyard Music, of the Grace Vineyard Church based in Christchurch, starts out slow and minimal before building up into a beautiful and moving sound. The lyrics are easy and the melody is simple, making it a perfect song for practising sustained notes and vocal control.
Fill our tongues with prophecies
Come with visions and with dreams
Give us hunger for the greater things
Signs and wonders be released
Let your miracles be seen
Living God it’s you we need
Shadowfeet
Wellington native Brooke Fraser’s clear and powerful voice is a great singing style to emulate to practise your vibrato and other vocal techniques. This Christian pop folk song is really enjoyable to listen to for fun!
Fraser is an extremely accomplished singer, having been a member of the aforementioned Hillsong Worship singing group and writing and performing What a Beautiful Name in the performance that won the Grammy. Shadowfeet is about finding your footing with God even when everything else is uncertain.
When the world has fallen out from under meI'll be found in you, still standingwhen the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their kneeswhen time and space are throughI'll be found in you
Worth Fighting For
This R&B pop song from CASS (Cassandra Kanda) sounds like it came straight off of TikTok, making it timely and trendy. Practise modern vocal styles while proclaiming your faith with this light and bouncy bop.
Despite sounding like other Gen Z songs, Worth Fighting For is about the Zimbabwe-born singer recognising that life is a challenge worth living with the grace of God. Her story of overcoming hardship and finding God is truly inspiring!
You were there since the beginning
Let me see what You see in me
Let me be who You want me to be
Cause I know through it all
You see a life worth fighting for, Cause
I know through it all
You see a life worth fighting for
Children’s Worship Songs to Practise Singing
You don’t need to be a child to enjoy and sing children’s worship songs. They are typically simple and fun and have much room for embellishments if you want to sing with improvisations!
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
A simple and pleasing melody perfect for warming up your voice or practising simple vocal techniques, this song is easy to learn and fun to sing.
My God Loves Me
With both Māori and English lyrics, this version of the simple kid’s song is easy and nice to sing for kids and adults alike.
Peace Like a River
Orignally from the Cedermont Kids’ Sunday School Songs album, this simple and catchy song is fun to sing and also acts as positive affirmations for your day!
Learning to sing through Christian songs is easy and fun!
Looking for a tutor who can help you hit those high notes and sing praises with all you’ve got? Find a professional singing teacher here on Superprof who can help!
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