Contemporary Hymns for Good Friday

If you are working with an intergenerational congregation, here are a few ‘middle-of-the-road’ contemporary hymn suggestions for Good Friday worship. Many of them are updated musical settings of traditional hymn texts.

Gareth Robinson, John Hartley, Chris Eaton, Jesus, the name high over all

A setting of Charle’s Wesley’s 18^th century hymn text.  The song is Kingsway’s Free Song of the Week this week—you can download a free mp3 and a PDF of the full music score.  If you miss the free version you can still access the text and purchase the music on the Kingsway site. 

Zac Hicks, Bread of the World in Mercy Broken

An updated setting of Reginald Heber’s 1827 hymn text, with additional pre-chorus/chorus by Hicks (as heard on his album The Glad Sound). Free chord chart, lead sheet and tutorial video are available on his website. You can also listen to the song on YouTube.

Fernando Ortega and Rich Nibbe, Sing to Jesus  CCLI Song #3469389 
Original text and tune by Ortega and Nibbe.  You can find the lyrics and lead sheet on the CCLI website. A full piano score is available for purchase from MusicNotes.  Two free versions of the guitar chords are available at UltimateGuitar.com Version 1; Version 2.  You can listen to the song on YouTube. 

Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, Gethsemane Hymn (To see the King of heaven fall) CCLI Song #5567746 
An original text and tune by Getty and Townend.  Lyrics, guitar tabs and lead sheet are all available on the CCLI website. You can purchase a piano/vocal or 4-part harmony arrangement of the song on the gettymusic.com website.  If you want to listen to the song, check out this live version sung by Stuart Townend on YouTube. 

Matt Redman, Here is Love CCLI Song #3287884

This is Redman's updated version of the hymn text by William Rees, retaining the original tune by Robert Lowry. You can listen to Redman’s version of the song at worshiptogther.com.  Guitar tabs and lead sheet are available on the CCLI website. 

Vikki Cook, Before the Throne of God Above CCLI #2306412

This is Vikki’s setting of Charitie Lees Bancroft’s original hymn written in the 19^th century.  This new setting been around for almost 15 years now, but it’s a very good addition to any congregation’s repertoire. The piano score, lead sheet, guitar tabs and lyrics are available for free download on the Sovereign Grace Music website. Guitar tabs, lead sheet and hymn arrangement are available on the CCLI website. You can listen to the song on YouTube.