5 Country Songs That Mention The Bible

Country music has a rich history of incorporating themes of rowdy Saturday nights, evenings spent drinking in bars, heartbreak anthems, cheatin’ songs and romantic odes, but the genre’s artists have also also woven in storytelling that intertwines words of faith and deep-rooted spirituality. Country artists have long sung of their spiritual faith as both an emotional and creative foundation and inspiration, whether that be timeless songs that wrestle with personal struggles, or perhaps simply recalling Sunday mornings spent in church pews as a child.

Several country artists have released full albums of faith-filled songs, among them Alan Jackson’s 2006 album Precious Memories, Carrie Underwood’s 2021 album My Savior, and Hillary Scott (of Lady A)’s 2016 album Love Remains (the Love Remains project also won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album). Randy Travis released several projects centered on faith, including 2000’s Inspirational Journey, 2002’s Rise and Shine, and 2003’s Worship & Faith, as did Johnny Cash, who recorded albums such as 1959’s Hymns and 1973’s The Gospel Road.

Meanwhile, other well-known songs in country music’s canon — such as “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and Hank Williams Sr.’s “I Saw the Light” — continue to be reminders of how artists have shared faith, hope and heartbreak in their music.

Many other country songs reference the Bible or faith imagery as part of nostalgic storytelling or rural pride anthems, such as Keith Urban’s “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” or Lainey Wilson’s “King Ranch, King George, King James.” Several country artists, among them Underwood, Cash and Dolly Parton, are even highlighted in the exhibits of the recently-opened Museum of Christian & Gospel Music in downtown Nashville.

Below, Billboard looks at five country songs that mention the Bible.