This playlist is the top 100 Psalm Songs released in 2023 based on the most plays on Spotify per since the day of release (not the most plays). Top Psalm Songs of 2023 playlist
What has happened in the world of Psalm songs this year
Red Rock Worship released an EP with two songs inspired by Psalms. There were strong tracks from artists who had not released Psalms before. These included Phil Wickham's epic Psalm 23 feat. Tiffany Hudson, Caleb Gordon reflections on Psalm 139 (hip hop/trap/drill), Christy Nockels' Psalm 2 (contemporary folk), Hannah Barr's indie pop song Psalm 23 - Fear and Ri-An's earworm Safe (Psalm 91).
2023 has seen five Extended releases devoted to Psalm composition. Aaron Shust, Brian Sauvé, Caroline Cobb, Wendell Kimborough & Zac Fitzsimmons all put out major works of 8-10 Psalm songs ("Thief to King" also released a grunty 3 song EP "Come Behold the Wonderous Works").
Back in 2005 on his first album Aaron Shust released a rockin' Psalm 117 but 2023 is the first time he has released a whole album of Psalm material "Heaven + Earth". His Psalm 23 is one of the highlights of 2023 where he joyfully collabs with Joshua Aaron.
Brian Sauvé has been making great Psalm music regularly (21 Psalm songs on 5 releases between 2020-21). "Even Dragons Shall Him Praise" is genuine folk music. Brian finds ways to articulate the language of the Psalms in strong folk forms. I personally like the intense thump of Psalm 144 (A Fortress is My Lord). Brian has now released 31 Psalm songs. To connect with Brian his Patreon link is here.
Caroline Cobb's 2023 album is relaxed and homely and fits how I imagine Texas oldtime church music (in all the best senses). Caroline has had a passion for scripture and Psalms song for many years. (In 2015 she released a Psalm with Cardiphonia Music and again in 2019, she collaborated with Shane Barnard in 2017). In this major work "Psalms: The Poetry of Prayer" Caroline brought together other talented Psalm's artists; Jess Ray (who wrote the 2007 Psalm 19), the prolific Psalm composer Wendell Kimborough & the smooth Paul Demer (Who also is featured as a solo artist on this list with his Psalm 8). (There were rumours that Poor Bishop Hooper might appear on this album but we will have to wait to see if this collaboration eventuates in the future).
It was a fun to be part of Caroline's Patreon team while this album was released. Her Patrons enjoyed meet-ups and discussing each song as it dropped .
Project of Love is producing one scriptural song a week. The last 16 weeks have seen Psalm songs released.
Wendell Kimborough's 2023 "You Belong" is bright and refreshing with a laid-back feel. When listening to Wendell one gets the feeling that the artist is at peace with himself, his songs and his God. This rubs off on me whenever I listen to him. The title song is full of hope and Curtis Mayfield-esque "People Get Ready" guitar parts. Sing Sing Sing is a blues-guitar player's, gospel toe-tapper. Wendell Kimbrough has released 28 Psalms. We look forward to more.
Cardiphonia Music continues the project's committment to bringing forward original Psalms Music, released a whopping 31 songs on 3 albums in 2023 Joy to the World (Psalms 90-106), Stewarding Praise (Psalm 107-112) and Stewarding Praise 2 (Psalm 107-112). Cardipnonia collaborates with many artists through out their project. Gloria Fanchiang and Douglas Chu's Lift Up Our Heads (Psalm 110) with a rocking "Evernesence" type feel has made the biggest impact out of the three albums.
Other albums of significance:
Zac Fitsimmon's continues his extensive working of the Psalms in song Word for Word : Volume 2 .
Newcomer Morgan Byrd released two albums of cracking Psalm tunes based on book I and book II of the Psalms.
Brityah
Lets not forget the veterans Sons of Korah from Australia (singing Psalms since 1996) who released their dark, third portion of Psalm 88. And just when we thought heavy hitters Shane and Shane (1.5 mill listeners a month) were taking time away from releasing Psalms songs, they released two Psalms at the end of September with their Kingdom Kids project Worship in the Word vol 3. (live) with big listens in the first week of release.
As always let us know if we missed Psalm songs from 2023 in our list or write any other comments at the bottom of the page.
The Top list of 100 Psalm songs released in 2023- Week ending Oct 15 2023...
1: Red Rocks Worship - Good Plans
2: Phil Wickham - Psalm 23: Feat. Tiffany Hudson
3: Ocean & Michael Davis - Psalm 91 [German]
4: Kingdom Kids, Shane & Shane - Don't Forget (Psalm 103) - live
5: Red Rocks Worship - Ascend
6: Kingdom Kids, Shane & Shane - Your Name (Psalm 40) - live
7: Caleb Gordon - Psalms 139
8: Mavado - Psalm 21
9: Christy Nockels - As For Me (Psalm 2)
10: Aaron Shust, Joshua Aaron - My Shepherd (Psalm 23)
11: Anna Golden - Psalm 91 (I Will Say) - live
12: Verses, Aaron Strumpel - Psalm 34
13: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 149 (He Adorns The Humble With Salvation)
14: Caroline Cobb - Like A Tree (Psalm 1)
15: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 144 (A Fortress Is My Lord)
16: Maria Coman - Psalmul 135
17: Caroline Cobb - No Place Better (Psalm 84)
18: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 16 (In Thy Presence Is Fulness Of Joy)
19: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 117 (His Merciful Kindness)
20: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 148 (Ye Dragons, Sing His Praise)
21: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 93 (O’er The Roaring Seas)
22: Project of Love - Psalm 143 - The Sound of Your Loving Voice
23: Walter Michael - Psalm 42
24: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 3 (10,000 Foes) [band version]
25: Caroline Cobb, Wendell Kimbrough - Good To Give Thanks (Psalm 92)
26: Project of Love - Psalm 121 - He Guards You Always
27: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 91 (Thy Feet On Dragons)
28: Harpa Dei - Gregorian Psalm 90/91
29: Paul Zach, iamson, Jessica Fox - Create In Me (Psalm 51)
30: Aaron Shust - Forsaken (Psalm 22)
31: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 120–121:1 (O Lord, Deliver Me)
32: Caroline Cobb - Better Than Life (Psalm 63)
33: Brian Sauvé - Psalm 72 (His Great Dominion Shall Extend)
34: Wendell Kimbrough - You Belong (Psalm 87)
35: Verses, Caroline Cobb - Psalm 103:8-10
36: BritYah - We Sing and Praise O Elohim, Tehillim (Psalms) 100
37: Hannah Barr - Fear (Psalm 23)
38: Kingsway Worship, David Henry - Psalm 34
39: Caroline Cobb - Have Mercy (Psalm 51)
40: Project of Love - Psalm 139 - Is There Any Place I Can Go
41: Caroline Cobb, Paul Demer - My Refuge, My Fortress (Psalm 91)
42: Aaron Shust - Be Gracious (Psalm 51)
43: Caroline Cobb, Jess Ray - Like A Child With Its Mother (Psalm 131)
44: The Porter’s Gate, Paul Zach, Jon Guerra - Bless the Lord (Bringing in the Harvest)
45: Aaron Shust - Majestic (Psalm 8)
46: Caroline Cobb - Shepherd, Walk Beside Me (Psalm 23)
47: Project of Love - Psalm 31 - Blessed God
48: Healing Prayer, Chris David - Psalm 103, 1-3
49: BritYah - Heart Search, Tehillim (Psalms) 139
50: Ri-An - Safe (Psalm 91)
51: Mercy Culture Worship - I Found A Love + Bless The Lord (Psalm 103:2) - Live
52: Healing Prayer, Chris David - Psalm 96, 9-10
53: Aaron Shust - Shadow of Shaddai (Psalm 91)
54: Verses, Aryn Michelle - Psalm 34:17-18
55: REVERE, Steph Wong - Psalm 24
56: Project of Love - Psalm 5 - Cry For Help
57: Aaron Shust - Even In My Old Age (Psalm 71)
58: Verses, Phil Maucieri - Psalm 23:3-4
59: Project of Love - Psalm 1 - Always in Blossom
60: Aaron Shust - Steadfast Love (Psalm 103)
61: Wendell Kimbrough - I Will Not Hold Back (Psalm 40)
62: Aaron Shust, Yaren Churniak - My Help (Psalm 121)
63: Ordinary Time - Guide Me - (Psalm 25)
64: Victory Boyd - Psalm 91
65: Tom Mottershead - Under His Wings (Psalm 91)
66: Will Gray, Sarah Téibo - Psalm 15
67: BritYah - Hear My Cry, Tehillim (Psalms) 61
68: Aaron Shust - Hold me Fast (Psalm 139)
69: Caroline Cobb - I Love Your Word (Psalm 119)
70: Caroline Cobb - Don't Hide Your Face (Psalm 102)
71: BritYah - A Pure Heart, Tehillim (Psalms) 119
72: Healing Prayer, Chris David - Psalm 95, 1-3
73: Aaron Shust - Hallelujah (Psalm 150)
74: Wendell Kimbrough - I Will Lift Up the Cup of Salvation (Psalm 116)
75: Wendell Kimbrough - Sing Sing Sing (Psalm 96)
76: Sons of Korah - Psalm 119 (nun)
77: Sons of Korah - Psalm 88c
78: Verses, Joel Limpic - Psalm 34:1-3* [acoustic]
79: Keith & Kristyn Getty - Psalm 24 - live
80: Healing Grace Worship - Shepherd Song (Psalm 23)*
81: Mason Harms - In Between Us (Psalm 73:25)
82: Wendell Kimbrough - The Lord's Become Our Salvation (Psalm 118)
83: Verses, Adam Anglin - Psalm 62:5-7
84: Savanofsky - Psalm 1
85: Mason Harms - So I Can Breathe (Psalm 131)
86: Tom Mottershead - Psalm 133 (Unity)
87: Thief to King - Come Behold (Psalm 46)
88: Wendell Kimbrough - We Are Waiting (Psalm 33)
89: Wendell Kimbrough - Those Who Fear the Lord (Psalm 112)
90: Wendell Kimbrough - We Rejoice (Psalm 65)
91: Paul Demer - Psalm 8
92: Thief to King - We Rejoice in Our Lord (Psalm 33)
93: Ashton Crook - You Are My Light (Psalm 27)
94: Project of Love - Psalm 9 - Be Kind to Me God
95: Tom Mottershead - Create In Me A Clean Heart (Psalm 51)
96: Victor Borba, Tony DiBlasi, Alexander Osorio-Borba - Psalm 145: A Song of Praise
97: BigGucciDame - Psalm 51
98: Civilized Creature, Brianna Grace, John Bartholomew - Psalm 147
99: Hisplan - Psalm 51
100: Wendell Kimbrough - Bring God's Children Home (Psalm 68)
This list is compiled by taking the average daily listens on Spotify from the date of release to the date of the list.