Listening is a sacred practice of life and ministry. It’s about tuning our hearts to hear God’s voice through the Spirit, both personally and in gathered worship. True listening leads to discernment, conviction, encouragement, and obedience. The heart of listening lies not in the message, but in communion with the speaker. We listen to Jesus, the Word made flesh; to God’s written and preached word; to creation’s praise, revealing God’s beauty and power; and to one another with humility and grace. In all this, listening becomes an act of worship, formation, and love.
[You can find all these songs on the Spotify playlist “Listening” from the Calvin University Chapel.]
Top Ten "Listening" Songs
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Song Title |
Artists |
Notes |
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Kate Bluett, Paul Zach |
This song helps us to listen for God’s sustaining, still small voice in every season of life.
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Wendell Kimbrough |
Voicing the words of God, this simple and beautiful song encourages us to practice the posture of listening by slowing down and being still.
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Sandra McCracken |
A posture of listening seeks God’s teaching, understanding, and direction according to God’s commandments and leads to flourishing.
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Bob Kauflin, Matthew Carpenter |
This song petitions the Holy Spirit to help us behold and adore the person of Jesus Christ.
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Caroline Cobb Smith |
This song expresses a deep love for the Word because of what it speaks about God and his ways.
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Ben Shive, Bryan Fowler, Jordan Kauflin, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty |
This song provides a gentle invitation to listen to the word, learn the sound of God’s voice, and lean on the promises of God.
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Adam Daniel Westlake, Britton Hardcastle, Carrie Elizabeth Hardcastle, George Douglas Koehl, Laela Beth Dasher, Mac Hayes, Max Dasher, Robbie Seay |
Based on the words of Psalm 19, this song celebrates hearing God in the word and listening to the voice of creation testifying to the glory of God.
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Bryan Christopher Fowler, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa |
This song celebrates the word preached in public worship and the privilege of hearing God speak.
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Ben Shive, David Zimmer, Nathan Stiff |
Based on Psalm 119, this song celebrates the word of life that teaches us to trust in God’s promises and strengthens us for daily life.
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Wen Reagan |
This song invites a posture of listening by waiting in silence and stillness in the presence of the Lord. |
Honorable Mention
(Didn’t Make the Top Ten But Worth Noting)
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Song Title |
Artists |
Notes |
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Caroline Cobb Smith |
Based on Psalm 1, this song voices the desire to delight in God’s word, being rooted, nourished, and sustained like a tree planted by the river.
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Ian Lewis, James Ferguson, Jaywan Maxwell |
This song reminds us to place trust in the word and example of Jesus Christ who leads us day by day in hope and faith. |
Topical List of Contemporary Songs—Series
This is part of a series that focuses on a particular theme providing a list of recent exemplary contemporary songs for congregational singing not currently found among the CCLI’s top 100.
Other topics in this series include the following:
