20 Easy Christian Worship Songs For Beginners

Many worship songs are very easy to learn on guitar for beginners. This is because chord progressions are usually simple, and you can easily improvise when you want to.

Christian worship songs are among the most lovely and heartfelt pieces of music that you can learn on the guitar. Usually, songs like these are easy to play on the guitar, making them a good choice for beginner guitarists.

1. Amazing Grace – Judy Collins

“Amazing Grace” is perhaps the most recognizable Christian hymn ever written. As a beginner, you can easily learn the song in a few hours as you only use 3 chords: G, C, and D.

This is perfect since they are among the first guitar chords you are going to learn anyway when you take lessons. While few people can sing the vocals as well as Judy Collins, the guitar part is fairly simple!

2. 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman

Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin wrote the song and released it for Redman’s album in 2011. This makes it a rather new worship song but one that was very successful, with 16 top 1 rankings on the weekly US Christian Songs list.

2 Grammy Awards later, and the song became a staple among worship tracks. “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” was inspired by Psalm 103 and was based on “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”—a nineteenth-century hymn by Henry Francis Lyte.

Playing the song on guitar involves just 4 chords. The progression is C, G, D, Em. You can practice for around 2-3 hours, and you will be able to master it even if you are a beginner.

3. Come, Now Is the Time To Worship – Brian Doerksen

Brian Doerksen had a career filled with success and profound loss. “Come, Now Is the Time To Worship” was written in 1998 and was organized around a very simple four-chord progression. The fifth chord only appears during the chorus. It is this simplicity that made the song one of the most iconic worship songs of the later part of the 1990s. The original live 1998 recording featured vocals from Wendy Whitehead.

As a beginner guitar player, the 4 chords are simple, and the progression is very easy to learn. Master this, then practice the addition of the fifth chord, and you are done.

4. You Are My King (Amazing Love) – Hillsong Worship

“You Are My King” is the most popular song from the Amazing Love album, which is a part of the Hillsong Worship Series. These albums include several worship songs curated by Hillsong Church. Amazing Love was released in 2002.

If you want to play “You Are My King” on guitar, you only have to go through a simple chord progression. The tutorial video above features the actual version of the song, with strumming, but if it is too complicated for you, there are several simplified versions available you can start with.

5. Everlasting God – Lincoln Brewster

“Everlasting God” was originally written by Brenton Brown and was featured on his debut solo album. But it is Lincoln Brewster’s version that became more popular and that you can easily play on the guitar as a beginner. An acoustic or an electric guitar can be used.

The worship song features the chords that you expect in such a track: G, C, Em, and D. These four are all you need to master “Everlasting God,” which makes it a very simple beginner-level practice song.

You do not have to switch chords fast when you play the chorus. The only fast switch appears in the last 2 lines of the verse sections, but even then the transition is not difficult to master for beginners.

6. Shout to the North – Delirious?

Delirious? was a contemporary English Christian band that enjoyed some success. “Shout to the North” first appeared on the 1995 album titled Cutting Edge 3 and Fore. It is not as popular as other worship songs by the band, but it is perfect for guitar beginners.

The chords you need to use are G, C, D, Em, and Dsus. As you can see, you only have to learn an extra suspended chord, so it is recommended to learn “Shout to the North” later down the road as a beginner, maybe as a second or third song.

7. Cornerstone – Hillsong Worship

“Cornerstone” is a very popular classic worship hymn. Hillsong Live updated it, and the new version is very easy to be picked up by guitar beginners. The song was included on the album with the same name, which marked the group’s 21st album.

When you are new to Christian music playing or even to playing songs in general, you can try this song because it is very easy to master. Its chord progression will be familiar for new students—C, F, Am, G. After mastering the progression, strumming patterns can be incorporated.

8. Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus – George Duffield Jr.

George Duffield Jr.’s “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” was written in 1858. It was based on words said on the deathbed of Dudley Atkins Tyng, who was a close friend of his. The actual hymn was the work of George James Webb, with a lesser-used version being composed by Adam Geibel.

If you decide to learn how to play this worship song, all you need to learn is the succession of A, D, and E. Optionally, you can include Esus.

9. The Heart of Worship – Matt Redman

“The Heart of Worship” was released in 1999 in the US and 1998 in the UK. It was composed by English Christian singer-songwriter, author, and worship leader Matt Redman, who released a total of 16 albums.

The hymn is a perfect beginner guitar song to learn because it only uses 4 simple chords played in different successions.

To play the verse, you play D, A, G, and repeat. To play the chorus, you play Em, D, A, and repeat. You just have to make a switch between 3 chords and after you master them, you can experiment with other more complex versions.

10. Build My Life – Housefires

“Build My Life” is a contemporary worship song by Atlanta-based American band Housefires. It was included in their Housefires III album, which was released in 2016.

The reason why this song is on the list is that the most difficult part is the chorus and its progression is C, AM, G, and Em. For the verses, all you have to do is alternate between two chords—G and C.

You can do this at your own pace and easily master the succession in a couple of hours. Advanced strumming is not needed but you can eventually include it if so desired.

11. Trading My Sorrows – Darrell Evans

“Trading My Sorrows” by Darrell Evans was released in 1998. The song is a worship ballad that has been popular in churches around the world. The song has been covered by many different artists.

As usual, the chords (G, C, Em, and D) are simple and easy to learn. Every beginner guitar player knows them. The strumming pattern is also very easy to play and will only take you a few tries before you get it down.

12. Holy Spirit – Bryan and Katie Torwalt

“Holy Spirit” by Bryan and Katie Torwalt was released in 2011. This is another popular worship song that has been performed by many artists.

The song is based on the scripture from Acts 2:1-4 where the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and gave them the ability to speak in other tongues. The song is very easy to learn and play with just 4 simple chords.

13. God of Wonders – Third Day

Another addition to the list is “God of Wonders” by Third Day. The song was released in 2004. The song quickly became popular in churches and worship services around the world.

The chord progression is Em, C, G, D. This is a simplistic song that can be easily learned by beginners. Although the tabs have more complex techniques, you should first start with the basic progression and slowly implement the harder parts.

14. Reckless Love – Cory Asbury

“Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury is a great song that was released in 2017. The song has been a huge hit with Christian radio stations and has even been played on some secular radio stations. The song is very catchy and has a great message.

It has a steady chord progression with Em, D, C, G with little changes throughout, except in the chorus where an added G chord is implemented, other than that it should be fairly easy to learn.

15. Open the Eyes of My Heart – Paul Baloche

This is another easy worship song. “Open the Eyes of My Heart” by Paul Baloche was released in 2001 and has become a staple in many worship services. The song is easy to play on the guitar, making it a good choice for beginner guitarists.

The chord progression goes G, D, C, Em. This should be pretty straightforward from start to finish as the tempo is also pretty mellow.

16. How Great is Our God – Chris Tomlin

“How Great is Our God” by Chris Tomlin was released in 2004. The song reached number one on the Christian Songs chart and stayed there for seven weeks. It also reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The guitar in this song is your basic G, Em, C, D progression and is pretty easy to play. Beginners can learn this song fairly quickly.

17. How Deep The Father’s Love for Us – Stuart Townend

“How Deep The Father’s Love for Us” by Stuart Townend is yet another great Christian worship song that is easy to learn. The song was released in 1990 and quickly became a favorite among worship leaders and churches.

The chords are D, G, A, Bm and they are all fairly easy to play. The only difficult part about the song is the time signature which is 3/4. Once you get used to it, it’s a straight shot from there.

18. Here I Am to Worship – Tim Hughes

“Here I Am to Worship” by Tim Hughes was released in 2001 and has been one of the most popular worship songs out there. With only 3 chords, this song is perfect for beginner guitarists to learn and master.

The chords are C, G, and F, which include a strumming pattern that is fairly easy to comprehend and get down. Watch the tutorial and within an hour, you’ll have this one in your pocket.

19. Rock of Ages – Augustus Toplady

“Rock of Ages” by Augustus Toplady is an old Christian hymn that has been around since the 18th century. It is a simple yet beautiful song that is very easy to play on the guitar.

With only 3 chords (G, C, and D/F#), the song can be played by beginners and experienced guitar players alike. Once you get the strumming pattern down, the song is really easy to play.

20. Lord I Lift Your Name On High – Rick Founds

The last song on the list is “Lord I Lift Your Name On High” by Rick Founds which was released in 1989 and was performed by Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster, Mercy Me, as well as others.

The chords progression of the song is G, C, D, and Em. With a simple double strum technique, any beginner will have an easy night with this one. You can also add in a bit of taste and mix it up with the strumming to get more of a kick out of it.

Summary

Christian worship songs are some of the most beautiful and heartfelt songs that you can learn on the guitar. With only a few basic chords, you can be playing some of your favorite worship songs in no time. From old hymns to contemporary worship songs, there is something for everyone when it comes to Christian music.

This list of 20 easy Christian worship songs on guitar is the perfect place to start if you are a beginner guitarist. With easy-to-follow tutorials and simple chord progressions, you will be playing your favorite worship songs in no time. So grab your guitar and get started today!