Four Encouraging Christian Songs that Deal with the Dread of Night

~By Sharon Czerwien

Have there been times in your life when the nighttime was dreadful? Maybe these nights involved fear and anxiety or perhaps some overwhelming and burdensome thoughts.

I experienced some of these thoughts when my husband and I were first married, and he had to work out of country for a time. I also went through dreaded nights when one of my kiddos was a baby and had health problems that caused both of us to be overly sleep-deprived for much too long.

Music at its Best

I am forever grateful for God’s grace during those dreaded nights. There was always a Christian song that soothed my heart when I needed it.

Even years after those particular seasons of dreaded nights, I still appreciate the songs I hear that have something to do with “life-lived” in the night!

A Bible Verse

In one of my favorite Psalms, there are three specific mentions of the Psalmist’s soul being cast down. Then, the middle of the chapter holds a key verse that is sandwiched between powerful verses about our hope in God and praising HIM in our distress.

“The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me—a prayer to the God of my life” (Psalm 42:8, NKJV).

The Importance of Music

If the Bible teaches about the value of godly music and how it can help carry us through a dreaded night, then I am excited for the Christian songwriters who write touching music about our faith in God—even in the night.

Here are four encouraging songs that address God’s goodness and/or our faith in God during a dreaded night.

1) “Ancient of Days” sung by CityAlight

*Verse 2 starting at minute 1:30

This verse speaks about the “dread of night” but how we can know God is with us and loves us.

2) “Yet Not I but through Christ in Me” sung by CityAlight

*Verse 2 starting at minute 1:15

This verse talks about how the night is dark, but we are not forsaken. God is with us. The song goes on to say how the night has been won.

3) “Good God Almighty” sung by Crowder

*This song starts right off by the singer/songwriter stating how God’s name can be called out many times in any given broken night. It goes on to say how God shows up and makes everything all right. God will not let us down.

This is *hands-down* one of my favorite songs of all times!

4) “Battle Belongs” sung by Phil Wickham

I heard this one at church and was happy to add it to my list of songs that deal with the middle of the night.

*In this song, the “nighttime” portions are in the chorus. The song says that we can lay our fears at His feet and that we can sing through the night since the battle belongs to God.

I would love to add to my list. If you know of any other Christian songs that touch on the middle of the night, please let me know in the comments!

Rest well,

Sharon