Bible songs that children love: an alphabetical list

by Joan K. Snipes

There are some wonderful songs that teach Bible stories and passages. Below is an alphabetical list (by song title) of some fun and appealing ones, followed by information about where you can purchase a CD of a recorded version. This list of Bible songs does not include Christmas carols, which are also excellent teaching tools.

This is not a comprehensive list by any means — there are other great Bible songs available.  But it is intended to get you started if you teach Vacation Bible School or are a parent looking to increase your child’s Bible literacy.
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Allelu, Allelu – Bible School song. Pamela Beall and Susan Nipp. Wee Sing Bible Songs. Los Angeles: Price/Stern/Sloan Publishers, 1986; updated in 2005.

Behold, What Manner of Love – round. Ron and Patti Vaillant have recorded this simple, lovely folk song on a CD entitled, Scripture Songs I. It features a female lead vocal, guitar accompaniment, and text from the King James Version of the Bible (I John 3:1-3.)

Children, Go Where I Send Thee – traditional spiritual. Peter, Paul and Mary have recorded this, as have many others.

Daniel Prayed – traditional. Recorded by Soup Kitchen Gospel, an a capella group, on their wonderful album, Stirring It Up. Also recorded by Patty Loveless on her album, Mountain Soul.

Day by Day – from Godspell, a 1971 musical play with a score by Stephen Schwartz.

Didn’t my Lord Deliver Daniel? – traditional spiritual. Songs and spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh: Deep River. 1995.

Go Down Moses – traditional spiritual. Recorded by numerous artists, including: Tuskegee Institute Singers, Carver Blanchard, Willard White, BB Sky, Kate McDonnell.

The Gospel in one word is love (or, Love, Love) – variation on a folk song.

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands – traditional spiritual recorded by many artists. Available on: Pamela Beall and Susan Nipp. Wee Sing Bible Songs. Los Angeles: Price/Stern/Sloan Publishers, 1986, updated in 2005.

He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd – from Handel’s Messiah. There is no better way to teach a child the beautiful words from Isaiah, chapter 40 than from this gorgeous, timeless oratoria.

I Will Lift up My Eyes (Psalm 121) – Mindy Jostyn and Jacob Brackman
From CD, in His eyes. Available at Christian Science Reading Rooms.

Jacob’s Ladder, a spiritual, with additional lyrics by Pete Seeger, is available on: Wee Sing Sing-Alongs. Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp. Price Stern Sloan, 1982.

Jehoshaphat (Fear not, neither be afraid.) Music by Mary Ridgway, lyrics by Charlotte Colley Schmidt. On the CD, Sing and Shine, available in Christian Science Reading Rooms.

Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho – traditional spiritual. Available on tape, with musical book, Wee Sing Sing-Alongs. Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp. Price Stern Sloan, 1982.

Little David Play on Your Harp – traditional spiritual. Available on Best Loved Spirituals by Mahalia Jackson. Sony Music Special Products, 1993.

Little David Play on Your Harp was also recorded on Wee Sing Bible Songs by Pamela Beall and Susan Nipp. Los Angeles: Price/Stern/Sloan Publishers, 1986, updated in 2005.

Little Moses – a lovely folk song sung by Lisa Redfern on the CD, I’ll Sing You to Sleep. Chords available in Folksinger’s Wordbook. The words vary from version to version. Recorded by a variety of artists.

Love Never Fails (1st Corinthians 13) – Words adapted by Mindy Jostyn & Jacob Brackman; Music: American folk tune (Concept inspired by Hal Hopson’s “Gift Of Love”)
From CD, in His eyes. Available at Christian Science Reading Rooms.

One More River, also known as “One Wide River” is available on: Wee Sing Sing-Alongs. Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp. Price Stern Sloan, 1982. The tune is also available online at http://www.kididdles.com

Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord) – from the musical, Godspell by Stephen Schwartz. Echoing both Isaiah and Malachi, the words of this rousing song are in three of the Gospels — Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Silver and Gold Have I None – This song is a wonderful one for reinforcing the story in Acts where Peter and John heal a lame man. Pamela Beall and Susan Nipp. Wee Sing Bible Songs. Los Angeles: Price/Stern/Sloan Publishers, 1986, updated in 2005.

The Lord is My Shepherd by Larry Groce. This lovely arrangement is available on the CD, Home and Heaven are Within Thee by Larry Groce. (Purchase from CedarS Camps, Lebanon, Missouri.)

The Lord’s Prayer – music by Larry Groce; words from the KJV of the Bible. A beautiful duet version of Larry Groce’s composition is on the CD, Home and Heaven are Within Thee. (Purchase from CedarS Camp in Lebanon, Missouri.)

The Lord’s Prayer – West Indian (Caribbean) folk melody
This hymn is in both the United Methodist and Presbyterian hymnals.

There were Twelve Disciples – camp song. Sing to the tune, Bringing in the Sheaves by George A. Minor To learn the tune, please see http://www.cyberhymnal.org

This Little Light of Mine – Harry Dixon Loes. Recorded by a variety of gospel artists. Midi files available online.

Who Built the Ark? – camp song. Pamela Beall and Susan Nipp. Wee Sing Bible Songs. Los Angeles: Price/Stern/Sloan Publishers, 1986 updated in 2005.

Your People and Your God – Erik Johansson, from The Story of Ruth, Christian Science Publishing Society. Also on the cassette tape, Songs about the Bible, 1993.

Zacchaeus was a Wee Little Man – This classic camp song teaches the story from Luke. Available on 2006 National Wee Sing Bible Songs by Pamela Beall and Susan Nipp. Los Angeles: Price/Stern/Sloan Publishers, 1986, updated in 2005.

Coat of Many Colors, a CD of Bible songs written by David Sand, includes a terrific set of original songs that help teach stories about Christ Jesus, Noah, Joseph and Nehemiah.