How to Write a Praise Song: The Spiritual Art of Songwriting for God’s Glory
As we are getting ready for Praise Night 25, I thought to share with you some of what my songwriting process looks like and what my Man of God, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been teaching us.
When it comes to songwriting, especially praise songs, it’s more than just rhymes and melodies. Writing a praise song is deeply spiritual—it’s about translating your encounter with God into words and sounds that others can sing along to. At its core, a praise song is not about performance; it’s about presence.
What is Praise?
Let’s first look at the scriptures.
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15 ESV
Praise is perfectly described in Hebrews 13:15. Praise is a sacrifice. It is words (fruit of our lips) that confess/declare (acknowledge) His Name. So a praise song is not about the tempo. Whether it is fast or slow, the lyrics are what qualify a praise song.
So, how do you write a praise song that will please God?
1. Start with Worship, Not Writing
Before pen touches paper, posture your heart in worship. Spend time in prayer, singing, or meditating on scripture. Praise songs flow best from a place of intimacy with God, not pressure to create.
2. Use Scripture as Foundation
The Bible is filled with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. When you weave scripture into your lyrics, you’re aligning your song with eternal truth. For example, Psalm 150 is a ready-made chorus of praise.
3. Keep it Simple and Singable
Praise songs are meant for congregational use. That means keeping your language simple, your melodies repeatable, and your message clear. A song doesn’t need complicated lyrics to carry divine weight.
4. Write From Experience
Personal encounters with God often birth the most powerful praise songs. What did God bring you through? What are you grateful for? Turn your testimony into lyrics that others can echo in their own walk.
5. Invite the Holy Spirit
More than technique, the secret ingredient is the Holy Spirit. As you write, pause and ask for inspiration. Many songwriters testify that the best lines come in moments of prayer or surrender.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, writing a praise song is less about crafting something “perfect” and more about creating something authentic. When your heart is aligned with heaven, your words will carry weight on earth.
Have you ever written a praise song before? Share your process or even a line of your lyrics in the comments—I’d love to hear how God inspires your songwriting journey!
Next in the songwriting series…
Important considerations for songwriting.
-Translation/interpretation (how the song can be easily interpreted/translated into another language)
-Language/understanding (that you are saying what you mean to say and it is widely recognized to mean so in the English language)
SEO Keywords:
how to write a praise song, songwriting for worship, Christian songwriting tips, spiritual songwriting, writing gospel music, how to write worship lyrics, praise and worship songs, faith-based songwriting, songwriting and spirituality, songwriting inspiration
