Top 10 Worship Songs for Seasons of Grief

Why Leading Lament Matters

In worship, lament gives space for truth: the ache, the loss, the questions, the weight of waiting. As worship leaders, when we bless our congregations with songs of lament, we acknowledge that faith isn’t only joy and victory, but also endurance in sorrow and hope in the dark. These songs help the church to bring to God the broken places and remind us He is present even there. If we only ever lead joyful worship, we insinuate it is wrong to worship through another emotion, such as desperation. So, here are ten powerful worship songs of lament (in no particular order), each helpful for times of grief, waiting, or lament-leading.

1. Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call (Psalm 42) (Matt Boswell / Matt Papa)
   A modern hymn of lament: “Lord, from sorrows deep I call…” It offers honest sorrow, brokenness and hope in one. A strong opening for a lament set.
2. Even If (MercyMe)
   This one clearly voices doubt and delay (“Even if my eyes can’t see it… I will trust the promise You will keep”). It gives the congregation permission to say, “I don’t see it—but I trust.”
3. I Will Rise (Chris Tomlin)
   While often used in a more celebratory context, its lyrical focus includes death, burial, waiting for resurrection, making it appropriate for lament to hope transitions.
4. It Is Well With My Soul (Keith & Kristyn Getty)
   A hymn classic built for lament and faith: acknowledgement of storms, yet concluding in trust. Useful in seasons of loss, brokenness, or grief.
5. Homesick (MercyMe)
   A song about longing for “home” and for the day when the hurting stops. Perfect for lamentation when congregations feel the weight of the “not yet”.
6. Agnus Dei (Michael W. Smith)
   This song evokes the Lamb of God, the cost of redemption, the suffering of Christ. It invites reflection and is good for lament midst the gospel story.
7. I Need Thee Every Hour (The Worship Initiative)
   A humble confession of dependence. Especially helpful in lament when we feel weak, distracted, far from God, or simply broken.
8. Christ Is All In All (Keith & Kristyn Getty)
   This one lifts Christ in the center, even from a place of emptiness. Lament should never ignore hope; this song points to Christ as everything even when we have little left.
9. The Old Rugged Cross (George Bennard)
   A hymn steeped in suffering and sacrifice. It reminds us of the cost, of bearing shame, of darkness. Still, hope is kept in the cross.
10. Way Maker (Leeland)
    Sometimes the best thing to sing about in times of grief is simply the character of God.

Tips for Leading Lament in Worship

• Begin with a grounding word: invite the body to bring what they cannot fully say.

• Leave space after prayers or after the first one or two songs for silent reflection, journaling, or a short reading of Scripture.

• Use the arc: begin with songs of raw lament, then move to a song or two on honest dependence and acknowledgement, and close with a song of hope/trust.

• For instrumentation and dynamics: consider stripped back, slower instrumentation at first, then gradually build if you intend to move into hope.

• Encourage the congregation: “It’s okay to come with questions, pain, waiting. We bring them together.”

• Use liturgical language or Scripture readings that echo lament (e.g., Psalm 13, Lamentations 3) to tie the set together.