How to Write a Worship Song: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Would you like to write songs for worship? Perhaps you would like to write songs that your church can sing, or maybe you would prefer to write simply for your own personal times of worship. Whether or not you play an instrument or sing, you can write a worship song! Here are a few tips to get you started:
Step #1: Write from a place of worship.
Worship is our highest calling. In Jeremiah 32:39, God says, “I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship Me forever.” God accepts only pure, undefiled worship. If you are writing partially to worship the Lord, partially to impress your congregation, and partially to write a hit song, then your motives are not pure because you are seeking the praise of people.
Rather than trying to brainstorm ideas, lyrics, and melodies, simply be with Jesus and allow Him to give you song ideas. In His time, He will. He accepts only worship that comes from Him and is offered to Him.
Step #2: Begin organizing your ideas.
When the Holy Spirit begins downloading ideas to you, begin to organize them. Ask yourself: does this idea belong as part of a verse (i.e. is it telling a story or reflecting on a topic)? Is it part of the chorus (is it memorable and the main idea of the song)? Or is it part of a bridge (is it transitional material that takes us back to the final chorus)?
As you continue receiving ideas and organizing them, you may end up moving the ideas around in the song, and that is totally okay! Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you work out the structure of your song.
Step #3: Write the first draft of your lyrics.
Finish writing the first draft of your lyrics. Work out the rhyme scheme, if you choose to use rhyme. Ensure that your song has a hook (a memorable phrase that is typically the title of the song and often appears in the chorus). Make sure that the thoughts in your lyrics flow from one to the other.
Step #4: Compose your melody and chords.
Figure out the melody of your song, and work out the chords on your instrument. Choose a key that you are comfortable playing. (For beginners on piano or guitar, this will usually be C, G, or D.)
In each key, there are 6 main chords. For example, the 6 chords in the key of C are C, Dm, Em, F, G, and Am. (You can download a free chart listing all of the chords in each key here.) Experiment with each of those chords until you find what fits best for each line/measure of your song.
Step #5: Rewrite and edit.
Just like any creative work, the first draft of your song is often a bit rough. Now is the time to rewrite (look at the song big-picture) and edit (polish the details).
Look through the lyrics:
Do the ideas make sense?
Do the verses lead into the chorus?
Does the bridge (if included) lead back into the final chorus?
Is the chorus memorable?
Does the song include a hook?
Do the lyrics rhyme, at least in part? (I recommend using rhyme as much as possible in order to unify the song.)
Is each word the best it can be?
Then check the melody and chords:
Does the melody sing well? (Asking other people to listen and sing your melody may be helpful.)
Does each chord sound good with the melody? (Recording the song and listening to it, or asking others to listen to it, is a great idea!)
Step #6: Dedicate the song to the Lord.
Congratulations on writing a song! When you have finished the writing and editing process, there is a sense of accomplishment. However, realize that the song came from the Lord (because you wrote it from a place of worship) and thus is to be given back to Him.
Allow Him to determine what to do with it and if/when He would like you to sing the song for others. The most special things in our lives are shared with the fewest people, and there is something beautiful about having a song just between you and Jesus. However, if He asks you to share it with others, He will bless that decision as well!
Worship Songwriting Course
If you would like to learn more about how to write songs unto Jesus from a heart of worship, check out my Worship Songwriting course. Topics include inspiration, brainstorming, song form, writing lyrics, composing a melody, finding chords, rewriting, songs of the Bible, partnering with God to write songs, and writing from a place of worship.
Want to learn more?
If you would like to learn how to play worship piano like a pro, check out my Worship Essentials courses. This unique approach combines a simple, easy-to-follow method of learning the piano along with teachings on the heart of worship - and it has proven successful for people of all ages and levels.
Or, if you would prefer one-on-one instruction, consider online lessons. Lessons incorporate the same content of the Worship Essentials courses but have the added bonus of one-on-one coaching and instruction.
Happy worshipping!