10 Best Michael W. Smith Songs

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Michael W. Smith has been writing songs for nearly fifty years. That’s because, although he is little more than fifty years old at the time of this writing, he wrote his first song when he was only five! As a young boy he had a dream of being a professional baseball player BUT GOD changed his mind at age ten and he gave his life to Christ. He tried college but dropped out to follow his love for music to Nashville.

He was happy to make $200 a week writing music on contract with Paragon/Benson Publishing.  He was absolutely as content as could be writing music and thought God had given him his heart’s desire.  It was then that he fell in love at first sight with Deborah Kay Davis. He even called his mom to tell her he was going to marry Deborah, even though he had not even met her yet! Three and a half weeks after that day he asked Debbie to marry him and they were married in just a few months after that.

It was when he was playing keyboard for Amy Grant, early in her career that Michael got his break into recording his own first album “Michael W. Smith Project”. And the rest is history!  The preceding is information obtained from the website of Michael W. Smith. To read more about the details of Michael’s long standing career visit his website here: Michael W. Smith Biography.

Following are what I believe are the ten best Michael W. Smith songs. There are only two in the list that were not written by Michael and I included them because I believe he does a really great job with them.

Featured Michael W. Smith Song: Joy Follows Suffering
This is a lovely instrumental from Michael’s newest album “Glory”. You can feel the suffering at the beginning with a crescendo to Joy as other instruments and then the full orchestra is added to Michael’s piano. Take a look at this little video blog at the studio while he was recording this album. Then click on the video in the upper right of the page – close your eyes and listen to the music flow from Michael’s hands through the keyboard. The orchestration is superb; I think you will agree.

Above All (by Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc)

This is my all time favorite worship song that Michael sings. I especially like to sing it in church during the weeks leading up to Easter. As you can see, he did not write the song but I think it is the way he sings it that just captivates me. It is as if no one else is around and that he is just letting his thoughts and heart about his Saviour fill the room. This is a good one to sing along with after you get beyond the message! View it here: Above All

Breathe (Marie Barnett)

Another popular worship song, “Breathe” is all about the power of the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that God’s Spirit is in us and this is what nourishes the soul. Take a look at the video on YouTube here: Breathe and sing along – the lyrics are repetitive so if you don’t know this one, you will by the time the video finishes.

Friends (Michael W.& Deborah D. Smith)

This is one of the many songs that Michael co-wrote with his wife. You can listen to this song on my YouTube Channel here: Friends

Lyrics:

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can’t believe the hopes He’s granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we’ll keep you close as always
It won’t even seem you’ve gone
‘Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord’s the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
‘Cause the welcome will not end
Though it’s hard to let you go
In the Father’s hands we know
That a lifetime’s not too long to live as friends.

With the faith and love God’s given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you’ll live in
Is the strength that now you show

But we’ll keep you close as always
It won’t even seem you’ve gone
‘Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

Chorus

Glorious Grace (Michael W.& Deborah D. Smith)

This is a sweet and melodious song by Michael and his wife. You can view a video of it on my YouTube channel here: Glorious Grace

Lyrics:

Let us praise the One who chose us
Let us thank the One who knows us
Set apart, blameless in His sight
Through the Son, we have faith, we have life
To the praise of His glorious grace

Chorus:
May the God of our Lord the Almighty Father
Give you wisdom and peace, His comforting Spirit
That you may know His hope
You may know His riches
And you may know His mighty strength
To the praise of His glorious grace
To the praise of His glorious grace

Grace and peace to you through Jesus
Our Deliverer receives us
Our hearts created for His Word
Our salvation was spoken and we heard
To the praise of his glorious grace

Chorus

Grace

I chose this song because it is also not a well known one but I just love the lyrics.  My YouTube channel has this one too here: Grace

Lyrics:

I was lost when ya found me here
You pulled me close and held me near
And I’m a fool but still you love
I’ll be your fool for the king of love

He gave me wings so I could fly
And gave me a song to color the sky
And all I have is all from you
And all I want is all of you

It’s grace, grace
I’m nothing without you
Grace, your grace
Shines on me

And there’ve been days when I’ve walked away
Too much to carry
Nothing left to say
Forgive me Lord when I’m weak and lost
You traded heaven for a wooden cross

And all these years you’ve carried me
You’ve been my eyes when I could not see
And beauty grows in the driving rain
Your oil of gladness in the times of pain

It’s grace, your grace
I’m nothing without you
Grace, your grace
Shines on me
Your grace, your grace
I’m nothing without you
Grace, your grace
Shines on me oh yeah
Shines on me
Shines on me
I’m everything with you
Shines on me
Shines on me
It’s your grace
Shines on me
Your grace
Oh
Your grace it shines on me
Your grace
Your grace
Shines on me
Shines on me
Your grace it shines on me
Your grace

Healing Rain

I think this song got more play time on the radio the first couple months after it was released than all of Michael’s songs together!  It is a favorite and when I talked with folks during the time when I was preparing for this article, every one of them mentioned this as a favorite of theirs. Here’s a video: Healing Rain and take a look at the lyrics:

Lyrics:

Healing rain is coming down
It’s coming nearer to this old town
Rich and poor, weak and strong
It’s bringing mercy, it won’t be long

Healing rain is coming down
It’s coming closer to the lost and found
Tears of joy, and tears of shame
Are washed forever in Jesus’ name

Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I’m not afraid
To be washed in Heaven’s rain

Lift your heads, let us return
To the mercy seat where time began
And in your eyes, I see the Pain
Come soak this dry heart with healing rain

And only You, the Son of man
Can take a leper and let him stand
So lift your hands, they can be held
By someone greater, the Great I Am

Healing rain, it comes with fire
So let it fall and take us higher
Healing rain, I’m not afraid
To be washed in Heaven’s rain

To be washed in Heaven’s rain…

Healing rain is falling down
Healing rain is falling down
I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid…
(Repeat)

Healing rain
is falling down
so let it fall
let it fall let it fall
healing rain
is falling down
yeah
i’m not afraid
of the healing rain
healing rain
is falling down
im not afraid
im not afraid

Heart of Worship

Matt Redman wrote this one but I really like how “Delirious?” sings it, so my video link on my YouTube channel has them singing it. I list it here because Michael W. Smith is also famous for singing it.  It is a great song about how sometimes we forget what worship is all about: It’s All About You, It’s All About You, Jesus!

Watch video here: Heart of Worship

Lyrics:

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
All about You, Jesus
I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

I’ll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

Here I am to Worship (Tim Hughes)

Written by Tim Hughes, this worship set favorite is best sung by Michael W. Smith, in my opinion.  It is timeless and very relevant in any musical setting.  Take a look at the video below, which includes the lyrics.

A New Hallelujah (Michael W.& Deborah D. Smith)

When asked about this song by Christian Today, Michael talks about Isaiah 58 and caring for the widows and orphans. This song is about singing a new song and challenging the church to do something. The African Children’s Choir joins him in it.  View the video on YouTube here: A New Hallelujah.  Read more about this song over at ChristianToday.

What’s Your Favorite Michael W. Smith Song?

Don’t be shy; share it in the comments below.

Sources:

http://www.michaelwsmith.com/bio.html

Various YouTube videos

Tagged as: Christian Music, Michael W. Smith Songs, Music