Top 10 Christian Songs of 2009

Although some of these Top 10 Christian Song selections match the Christian billboard chart-toppers for 2009, these are my own ten favorites, paired with some specific Bible verses that may match the lyrics.

1. TobyMac - Lose My Soul (with Kirk Franklin and Mandisa). "I don't wanna gain the whole world and lose my soul..." - in a fantastic soft rock/rap beat, each performer sings a verse about their situation with fame and fortune and how it could affect their life. TobyMac sings he wants to be a good father, not like a kid at a circus. Franklin sings "the first thing to prosper should be inside" (Christ) not outside. Mandisa sings of the possibilities of being desensitized by what the world offers. The song seems to be based on Luke 9:25: "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?" (NKJV). See a video and all the lyrics here.

2 and 3. Mandisa - My Deliverer and He is With You. Mandisa's latest songs have a running theme of finding hope in the Lord from whatever you're going through, and what Jesus did for us by dying. "My Deliverer" (bright, contemporary up-tempo) says "he rescued me from everything holding me captive," like the things she speaks of in the TobyMac song. "He is With You" (a softer pop feel) speaks out to others about many of life's problems. Both songs (sample them here) are from Mandisa's latest album, Freedom, along with another good song, Not Guilty in soft rhythm.

4. TobyMac - City on our Knees. This song is currently rated Number One on several charts - catch it here (along with photos of his fabulous face...but I digress). The soft and mellow lyrics, "A city with one king...a city on our knees," seems to be related to the New Jerusalem, established after Christ's return, in which "...every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord" (Isaiah 45:22-24, Romans 14:10-12).

5. Casting Crowns - Until the Whole World Hears. A very strong rock beat that is new this year to Casting Crowns in several songs. Their words in this song, "Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night until the whole world hears," remind me of Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." See Casting Crowns sing this in concert here.

6. Johnny Diaz - More Beautiful You. Diaz, a relative newcomer in the Christian music scene, sings this song to improve the image young girls have of themselves, the way God made them. Starting with a hypothetical girl of fourteen with a poor self-image of her looks, and then singing of an older girl searching for a man to love her, he also addresses depression and turning back from wrong direction. "There can never be a more beautiful you" reminds me of a tribute to God in Psalm 139:14: "...I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made". Soft rock. See video here.

7. Chris Tomlin - I Will Rise. Move over, Michael W. Smith. Chris Tomlin is fast becoming the premier writer/singer of worshipful songs. "There's a peace I've come to know, an anchor for my soul...Jesus has overcome... and "I will rise when he calls my name." This is a beautiful soft contemporary song. Hear it here with lyrics on screen.

8. Third Day - Born Again."Feels like I'm born again, feels like I'm living for the very first time" - not the man he wanted to be until Jesus came along. There are many verses this could match, including 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The song also features the beautiful voice of Lacey Mosley. I found a great video version here with nature's beauty.

9. Casting Crowns - Praise You in this Storm. "Praise a God who gives and takes away" the song says - finding joy in the Lord in all situations. The last verse is a direct quote from Psalm 121:1-2: "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." Soft Contemporary. See video and access lyrics here.

10. Third Day - Cry Out to Jesus (re-made for 2009 album Live Revelations). All the troubles of life-addiction, weariness of burdens, marital problems-can be taken to Jesus. This could match Isaiah 40:31: "...Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary...walk and not faint." See it here.

Bible verses have been taken from either the New King James Version (NKJV) or New International Version (NIV) of the Bible.
-NKJV: Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
-NIV: Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Sources for videos and lyrics:
Joy FM Radio;
Blessed Family Top Christian Songs;
www.sing365.com;
www.christianlyricsonline.com/;
http://www.songlyrics.com/mandisa/www.jesusrockz.net/2009.