Some of you may be asking what songs helped me rewrite my brain to embrace gospel principles and fall in love with Jesus all the while I was suffering with depression that tormented my spirit terribly. So, I figured I’ve come this far, I might as well list them for you. ***This list is in no way an endorsement for any artist (their theology, their lifestyle, etc.). Simply, these are the songs that I listened to over and over again during my 12 years of depression. God used these songs to speak to me. That is all.
I’ve included these to get you started on your own depression playlist. Remember, your songs must resonate with you! If they make you feel ashamed or defeated, they do not belong on your list. Your songs should give your suffering a voice or remind you of a truth. They might be prayers that can’t be spoken in any other way than to be heard in a song. They might be truths about God of which you need to be reminded but can’t authentically affirm with your mouth right now. Listening to them lets their truths flow freely through your thoughts without any effort on your part.
You will discover your own songs that you will allow inside your depression with you—songs that don’t beat you down but lift up your Savior—songs that you will permit to speak to you in your depression because they don’t coerce performance to a standard you feel unable to attain to. Embrace their biblical truths and most of all, embrace Jesus! Preview these online or on YouTube, then consider buying the ones that you want to add to your own music playlist.
Please see my YouTube playlists for each chapter where you can follow along with your book. The YouTube channel for the book is found at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClY2-VfQ23UNr0d61fUuqZA/playlists.
| Artist | Songs |
| 4Him | As Long as My Heart Knows It’s You |
| 33Miles | Arms That Hold the Universe, Hold Me Up, Worth the Wait |
| Aaron Shust | Breathe In Me, Come To Me, Can’t Hide From Your Love, Create Again, Deliver Me, I Will Wait, Just As I Am, Never Been A Greater Love, The One, Rest In The Arms, Satisfy, Stars Will Fall, Stillness (Speak To Me), Take Over, To God Alone, Watch Over Me, When Everything Is Beautiful |
| Abbas Family | Show Me the Way |
| The Afters | Lift Me Up, Light Up the Sky |
| All Sons & Daughters | Almighty God, Brokenness Aside, For Your Glory & My Good, God with Us, Great Are You Lord, King of Glory (You Restore Me), My God My King, Oh How I Need You, Oh Our Lord |
| Amy Shreve | Be Still My Soul |
| Ana Laura | Abide in Me, Because You Loved Me, Completely, Don’t Run Away, Giver of Life, If You Ever Fall, No More, Safe in You, Sometimes I Fall, Water |
| Andrew Peterson | Always Good, Be Kind to Yourself, The Dark Before the Dawn, His Heart Beats, In the Night, Is He Worthy? My One Safe Place, The Power of a Great Affection, The Rain Keeps Falling, Rest Easy, The Voice of Jesus |
| Andy Gullahorn | Not Too Late |
| Anthem Lights | Can’t Get Over You |
| Australia Worships | Jesus What A Beautiful Name, I Honour You |
| Avalon | Hide My Soul |
| Barlow Girl | Never Alone |
| Bebo Norman | Borrow Mine, I Hope You Jesus, I Will Lift My Eyes, Pull Me Out |
| Bethel Music | Ever Be (feat. Kalle Heiligenthal), It Is Well (feat. Kristene DiMarco) |
| Big Daddy Weave | Audience of One, My Story, Redeemed |
| Brandon Heath | It’s Alright, The Light in Me, Wait and See, When You Look at Me |
| Brian Doerksen | Lead Us Lord (Dream Again) |
| Building 429 | Fear No More |
| By The Tree | Wait (with ‘Tis So Sweet) |
| Casting Crowns | Already There, Always Enough, At Your Feet, East to West, God of All My Days, If We’ve Ever Needed You, Jesus Hold Me Now, Lovin’ My Jesus, Just Be Held, Mercy, Praise You in This Storm, The Well |
| Chonda Pierce | In the Presence of Jehovah, Mercy Saw Me, My Soul Will Wait, Silent and Still |
| Chris Rice | Good News, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Home Tonight, I Need A Hero, Missin’ You, Pardon My Dust, Sam’s Song, Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) |
| Chris Tomlin | All The Way My Savior Leads Me, Almighty, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone), Boundary Lines, Countless Wonders, Crown Him (Majesty), Fear Now, I Lift My Hands, I Will Rise, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Son of God, Let Your Mercy Rain, Nobody Loves Me Like You, The Roar, Shepherd Boy, Sovereign, White Flag, Whom Shall I Fear, Your Grace is Enough |
| Christine Wyrtzen | Abba Father, Angel Song, Carry Me, The Dove, Day By Day Medley, Doves and Butterflies, The Fire, Hiding In His Arms, I Love Need and Praise You, I Surrender All, My Father, Never Been Out of His Care, Protected By The Blood |
| Christy Nockels | Already All I Need, Be Loved, Choose, Healing Is in Your Hands, In Your Hands, A Mighty Fortress, Song of the Beautiful, Waiting Here for You, You Are Able |
| Corey Emerson | Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus |
| Daniel Kirkley | Crying Out to You |
| David Crowder Band | SMS (Shine) |
| David M Edwards, Regi Stone | I Will Worship You Until |
| David Gokey | Hope in Front of Me |
| David Robertson | Someone Who Cares |
| Don Moen | All To You/ I Surrender, Break Through, Grace is Enough, Great Is Your Mercy, Have Your Way, He Never Sleeps, Heal Me O Lord, Here We Are (Lifting Holy Hands), Hiding Place, I Am the God That Healeth Thee, I Will Sing, Jesus You Are My Healer, Rescue, Still/ Be Still and Know, We Wait, You Said |
| Elevation Worship | Blessed Assurance, First and Only, For A Moment, Gone, Great Things (Worth It All), Hold on To Me, I Love You Lord, Jesus I Come, O Come to The Altar, Resurrecting, Your Promises |
| Evie Tournquist | Be Still, Hold On, Jesus Was There All the Time, Just Because I Asked, Praise the Lord, Unfailing Love, You Have Everything in Your Hands |
| Fernando Ortega | More Love to Thee |
| Finding Favour | Cast My Cares, Refuge |
| For King & Country | Crave, God Only Knows, Shoulders |
| Francesca Battistelli | Angel By Your Side, Beautiful – Beautiful, Choose To Love, Find Rest, Forever Love, Free To Be Me, Good To Know, The Hands of God, He Knows My Name, Holy Spirit, If We’re Honest, I’m Letting Go, Keeping Me Guessing (feat. All Sons and Daughters), Keeping Score, Lead Me to The Cross, Motion of Mercy, My Paper Heart, Run to Jesus, So Long, Time In Between, Tonight, Write Your Story. |
| Gaither Vocal Band | I’ll Pray for You, Jesus Loves Me, Sow Mercy |
| Ginny Owens | All I Want to Do, I Am Yours, I Will Praise You, If You Want Me To, In This Darkness, This Road |
| Greatworshipsongs.com | Because of His Tender Mercies |
| Guy Penrod | I Need You More |
| Gwen Smith | Through the Veil |
| The Haven Quartet | He Giveth More Grace |
| Hillsong | All My Hope, Carry Me, I Give You My Heart, I Live To Know You, I Surrender, I Will Never Be The Same, I Will Run To You, Jesus Lover of My Soul, One Hope, The Only Name, So You Would Come, Still, Through It All-I’ll Sing To You, To You, and from Hillsong London: Centre of My Life |
| Hillsong United | Even When It Hurts (Praise Song), Here Now (Madness), Oceans (Where Feet My Fall), Prince of Peace, Touch the Sky, When I Lost My Heart to You |
| Hillsong Worship | Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace), Calvary, Glorious Ruins, Grace to Grace, In God We Trust, Love on the Line, Thank You Jesus, This I Believe-The Creed, Who You Say I Am |
| Hosanna Music | Only by Grace (feat. Graham Kendrick) |
| I Am They | Even Me, Here’s My Heart Lord, King of Love, Over & Over Again, Scars |
| Ian White, Worship Together | You Are Merciful to Me |
| Jason Breland | Evermore |
| Jaci Velasquez | Flower in The Rain, Lay It Down, On My Knees, Sweet Surrender |
| Jadon Lavik | What If |
| Jason Gray | Better Way To Live, Blessed Be, Come to Me Again, The Cut, The End of Me, Even This Will Be Made Beautiful, Everything I Own, Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue, Fade With Our Voices, Fear Is Easy-Love Is Hard, Fight for You, For the First Time Again, Glow In The Dark, The Golden Boy and the Prodigal, Good To Be Alive, Grace, Hard Times, Help Me-Thank You, Hold Me Back, Holding The Key, Honesty, I Am New, I Will Find A Way, If You Want To Love Someone, I’m Not Going Down, Into the Mystery, Jesus Use Me I’m Yours, Jesus We Are Grateful, Learning to Be Found, Love Will Have The Final Word, More Like Falling In Love, More Yours, Move, No Thief Like Fear, Not Right Now, Nothing Is Wasted, The Other Side, Remind Who I Am, Remind Me You’re Here, Sing Through Me, Some Day (The Butterfly), The Sound of Our Breathing, Sparrows, Stolen, This Far, Through, A Way To See In The Dark, Weak, Where We Go From Here, Without Running Away, The Wound is Where The Light Gets In, You Are Mercy |
| Jeremy Camp | Empty Me, I Will Trust You, Letting Go |
| John Waller | Cling to The Call, Faith Is Living, Man of the Valley, While I’m Waiting |
| Jonathon Wiggins, Song Discovery | You Are (You Are My One and Only) |
| Josh Bates | Never Give Up on Me, Walking Through the Fires |
| Kari Jobe | Be Still, Beautiful, Everyone Needs A Little, Find You On My Knees, Healer, Here, I Am Not Alone, I’m Singing, Joyfully, Love Came Down, My Beloved, No Sweeter Name, Revelation Song, Run To You (I Need You), Singing Over Me, Steady My Heart, Sweep Me Away, What Love Is This, You Are For Me |
| Kate Harris | Didn’t I Walk on The Water? |
| Kathryn Scott | Grace Has Called My Name, Love Rescue Me |
| Kathryn Scott, Worship Together | Hungry (Falling on My Knees) |
| Kathy Triccoli | My Life Is in Your Hands |
| The Katinas | Thank You |
| Keith & Kristyn Getty | Compassion Hymn, He Will Hold Me Fast, Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer, Still My Soul Be Still, What Grace Is Mine, When Trials Come |
| Kim Hill | I Surrender All, It Is Well with My Soul |
| Lakeview Christian Center | How Can I Not Sing? (Globalworshipnow.com) |
| Laura Story | Blessings, Grace, Make Something Beautiful, Perfect Peace, Remember |
| Lauren Daigle | Remember, You Say |
| Leeland | Carried at the Table |
| Lisa Glasgow | O Lord Your Tenderness |
| Maranatha Singers, The | Grace Alone, I Stand in Awe (So Amazed), I Wait for You, Shallow Waters, Still Waters, |
| Maranatha! Worship Band, Rick Founds | Jesus Draw Me Close |
| Mark Roach | You Are (You Are Holy, You Are Faithful) |
| Mark Schultz | Remember Me |
| Matt Hammitt | Holding You, Let Go, Let It Bring You Praise, This is Grace, Trust, You Are My Treasure |
| Matt Maher | Lord I Need You |
| Matt Redman | Breathing the Breath, Facedown, Gracefully Broken (with Tasha Cobbs Leanard), I Need You Now, I Will Offer Up My Life, One Day (When We All Get To Heaven) |
| Matthew West | All the Broken Pieces, The God Who Stays, Only Grace, Strong Enough, Truth Be Told, You Are Everything |
| MercyMe | Beautiful, Best News Ever, Bring the Rain, Dear Younger Me, Even If, Finish What He Started, Flawless, Greater, Here with Me, Hold Fast, The Hurt & the Healer, Welcome to the New, Wishful Thinking, Word of God Speak |
| Meredith Andrews | Not for a Moment (After All) |
| Merrit Island Worship Band | I Stand in Awe (You Are Beautiful Beyond Description) |
| Michael Card | Come Lift Up Your Sorrows, The Hidden Face of God, I Will Not Walk, The Silence of God, To a Broken God, Walk with Me Lord |
| Michael Olson | Fear and Faith |
| Michael Gungor | Rescue |
| Michael W. Smith | Be Lifted High, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Draw Me Close, Grace, Never Been Unloved, The Stand |
| Mikeschair | Someone Worth Dying For |
| Monk & Neagle | More Than That |
| Music for The Soul (These songs can be previewed and purchased on their website as well as other online music retailers.) | Beautiful Jesus (feat. Sara Beth Geoghegan), Binder of the Broken (feat. Clarence Church & Lisa Bevill), Carry Me (feat. Scott Krippayne), Crooked Road (feat. Chris Teague), Every Single Tear (feat. Scott Krippayne), In the Image of God (feat. Mandie Pinto), Making Peace with Imperfection (testimony by Constance Rhodes), Precious Lord Take My Hand (feat. Scott Krippayne), Tell Me What You See (feat. Sara Beth Geoghegan). ***Find most of these songs at musicforthesoul.org. |
| Natalie Grant | Clean, Enough, Held, King of the World, More Than Anything |
| Nichole Nordeman | Beautiful Day, Dear Me, Healed, Hold On, Lean, Love You More, Name, No Longer, No More Chains, Not to Us (feat. Plumb), The Unmaking |
| Passion | Come as You Are (feat. David Crowder), Draw Near (feat. Kristian Stanfield), Lord I Need You (feat. Chris Tomlin), I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) (feat. Chris Tomlin), Grace Flows Down (feat. Christy Nockels), Knowing You: All I Once Held Dear (feat. Charlie Hall), Your Grace Is Enough (feat. Passion Worship Band) |
| Paul Ramey | Alright |
| Phillips, Craig & Dean | Mercy Came Running, A Place Called Grace, Pour My Love on You, Table of Grace, When God Ran, When Grace Walked In, Your Grace Still Amazes Me |
| Plumb | Need You Now (How Many Times) |
| Pocket Full of Rocks | Come as You Are, Ever Close to You, Falling |
| Rend Collective | Rescuer (Good News) |
| Rich Mullins | Bound to Come Some Trouble, Hold Me Jesus, Hope to Carry On, If I Stand |
| Rita Springer | O God of Mine |
| Robin Mark, Hosanna! Music | Lord Have Mercy |
| Rush of Fools | Grace Found Me |
| Ryan Stevenson | No Matter What (feat. Bart Millard) |
| Sanctus Real | Bend Not Break, Nothing Between, Picture of Grace, Pray, Promises, Ride It Out, The Way the World Turns, These Things Take Time, You Are God |
| Sara Groves | Jesus You’re Beautiful, Your Reality |
| Scott Brenner | In Silence I Wait |
| Scott Krippayne | Breath of Grace, God Can Use A Broken Heart |
| Scott Wesley Brown | Grace Alone |
| Selah | All My Tears: Be Washed Away (with Kim Hill), Be Still, Gentle Healer (with Amy Perry), He’ll Hold You, I Look to You, I Turn to You, Shelter Me, ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus, Wonderful Merciful Savior |
| Shane & Shane | Be Near, Beauty for Ashes, Faith to Believe, Grace Is Sufficient, Your Love, His Mercy Is More, Though You Slay Me, Your Love |
| Shannon Wexelberg(now known as Shannon Adducci) | Be Still, Boundless, Change Me, Cling, Different Kind of a Miracle, Exalted Alone, Faithful God, Here In The Shadow, He’s That Close, Hope In God, I Have a Song, In The Waiting, Jehovah Shalom, Join the Song, Like a River, My Delight, Nothing Can Separate Me, Pour Your Spirit Out, Psalm 23, Quiet Places, Right Where I Am, Story of My Life, Take Heart, Take My Life, Tis So Sweet to Trust, Who You Say You Are, You Carry Me. ***Find her music at shannonadduccimusic.com as well as other music retailers. Some samples of her songs can be found at https://soundcloud.com/shannonadducci/sets/song-samples and in YouTube by searching for Shannon Wexelberg. |
| Shawn McDonald | Closer |
| Shoreline Community Church | You’ve Won My Affection |
| Sidewalk Prophets | You Love Me Anyway |
| Sovereign Grace Music | All That I Need, Before the Throne, A Debtor to Mercy, Every Day, Healing In Your Wings, Hide Away in the Love of Jesus, I Come Running, I Have a Shelter, In the Valley, It Was Your Grace, The Look, Mercies Anew, Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus, So I Will Trust You |
| Steve Green | In Brokenness You Shine |
| Steve Siler | Broken to Bless, Listening, In Christ, I’ve Got This, Not Too Far from Here, Nothing Is in Vain, Shame Died, Wounded Angel, You Are Not Alone |
| Steven Curtis Chapman | Beautiful Scars, Beauty Will Rise, His Strength is Perfect, Miracle of the Moment, Wait |
| Caleb Chapman | We Will Wait |
| Switchfoot | Restless |
| Ten Shekel Shirt, Worship Together | Meet with Me |
| Tenth Avenue North | Afraid, Beloved, By Your Side, Closer, Control (Somehow You Want Me), Fighting for You, Grace, Hold My Heart, House of Mirrors, I Have This Hope, I Need You-I Love You, Let It Go, Lift Us Up to Fall, Love Is Here, No One Can Steal Our Joy, One Thing, The Spark, Sparrow (Under Heaven’s Eyes), Strangers Here, The Struggle, Times, What You Want, Worn, You Are More |
| Third Day | Cry Out to Jesus, Your Love Oh Lord |
| Travis Cottrell | I Bow Down, I Worship You, My Passion, Surrender |
| Vertical Church Band | Do What You Want To |
| Vineyard UK | I Lift My Eyes Up, I Surrender All |
| Yolanda Adams and Crystal Lewis | This Too Shall Pass |
Discovering God's Grace in Depression 