As we approach Easter, the events of Holy Week—and the range of emotions they invoke—are worth contemplating one at a time. Music can be an excellent way to appreciate and enter into the dynamics of the Christian calendar’s climactic week. From Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, through to the earth-shattering events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, the most consequential week in history has inspired artists for two millennia.
What follows is my attempt to curate a musical journey through Holy Week, with songs in various genres and styles, both old and new. The majority are explicit reflections on the events of Christ’s passion or their theological implications, but a few I included because they capture the mood of a certain Passion Week moment. I hope watching these videos enhances your devotional experience this week, leading you to a deeper gratitude for the gospel and a more fervent worship of the One who humbled himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross (Phil 2:8) so that we could be born again to a living hope because of his resurrection (1 Pet. 1:3).
Palm Sunday
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion” from Messiah, Handel
“Hosanna Song,” Jon Guerra and Paul Zach
“All Glory, Laud and Honour,” King’s College, Cambridge
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
“Jerusalem,” CityAlight
“Turn the Tables,” Caroline Cobb
“Citizens,” Jon Guerra
Maundy Thursday
“The Passover Song,” Caroline Cobb and Sean Carter
“Jesus in the Garden // The Golgotha Experience,” Poor Bishop Hooper
“The Garden,” Needtobreathe
“Your Will Be Done,” CityAlight
“Go to Dark Gethsemane,” Sandra McCracken
“Songs in the Night,” The Gray Havens
“In the Night,” Andrew Peterson, Buddy Greene, Jeff Taylor, Andy Gullahorn
Good Friday
“The Power of the Cross,” Keith & Kristyn Getty featuring Jackie Hill Perry and Pedro Eustache
“Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” Mahalia Jackson
“Psalm 22,” Poor Bishop Hooper
“Good Friday,” Josh Garrels
“O, Setting Sun,” Austin Stone Worship
“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” Norton Hall Band
“Supreme,” Shai Linne featuring Beautiful Eulogy
“Nothing But the Blood,” Carrie Underwood
“White As Snow,” Rivers & Robots
Holy Saturday
“Requiem: Lacrimosa,” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
“Death in His Grave,” John Mark McMillan
“Until These Tears Are Gone,” Young Oceans
“On The Nature Of Daylight (Entropy),” Max Richter
“While We Wait,” Amanda Cook
“Be Still and Know,” Southlands Church
“This Is Jesus,” Gas Street Music and Tim Hughes
Easter Sunday
“Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed,” Keith & Kristyn Getty
“Easter Song,” Jess Ray
“Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Prélude,” J. S. Bach (performed by Yo-Yo Ma)
“Jesus Is Alive,” CityAlight
“Christ The Lord is Risen Today,” Gracias Choir
“Glorious Day,” Forest City Worship featuring Joe L Barnes & Carrington Gaines
“Miraculous Salvation,” Tenielle Neda and Chris Cho
“King of Kings,” The Worship Initiative featuring Davy Flowers
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” Austin Stone Worship
“Hallelujah, Salvation, and Glory,” Sunday Service Choir
“Easter Oratorio,” J. S. Bach
The Gospel Coalition