Contemporary Christian musician, singer, and songwriter Phil Wickman has quickly become a household name since his debut in 2003. Gracing us with powerful singles such as “Your Love Awakens Me,” “Glory,” and “After Your Heart,” among more, he continues to challenge the musical boundaries when it comes to worship music. More recently, Wickman collaborated with Jonathan Smith on the single “House of the Lord,” released on April 2, 2021. The song was an instant success, peaking at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart.
Sharing the story behind the song, Wickman revealed that he wanted to encourage people to be vocal about the joy of the Lord in their lives. He hoped to remind people that God is in our midst wherever we are and it is through his that can we experience true joy. As the song conveys, happiness in life usually comes and goes, but a life rooted in joy can be more fulfilling. That’s because joy is based on identity rather than circumstance. “House of the Lord” draws from Wickman’s personal experience. And perhaps this is what makes it such a powerful and emotive song. Wickman’s honest lyrics and powerful voices cut through all the cookie-cutter contemporary Christian music that tends to seep through. If you are looking for an encouraging song to kickstart those hard mornings, “House of the Lord” should be a top pick
