Michael W. Smith

Michael Whitaker Smith is one of the most influential figures in the history of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and modern worship. Born in 1957 in Kenova, West Virginia, Smith moved to Nashville in the late 1970s to pursue a career in music. He initially gained recognition as a songwriter and keyboardist for Amy Grant before launching a solo career that has spanned over four decades. A multi-platinum artist and three-time Grammy Award winner, Smith has played a crucial role in moving Christian music from a niche market into the global mainstream, while simultaneously authoring songs that have become modern liturgical standards.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Smith was primarily known as a pop-rock artist, but the latter half of his career saw a significant shift toward congregational worship. His 2001 album, Worship, was a landmark release that helped define the sound of modern church music, blending grand orchestral arrangements with intimate, accessible choruses. His work is characterized by melodic soaring and a focus on the attributes of God, often rooted directly in the language of the Psalms.

Major Contributions to Modern Hymnody

Smith’s catalog contains several works that have achieved the status of "modern hymns," sung in virtually every Protestant denomination worldwide:

• "Great is the Lord": Written early in his career with his wife, Deborah D. Smith, this song is a direct adaptation of Psalm 48. Its majestic, rhythmic quality made it a staple of the 1980s "praise and worship" movement and it remains widely published in formal hymnals today.

• "Thy Word": A collaboration with Amy Grant based on Psalm 119:105, this song has become a quintessential "scripture song." Its simple, folk-like melody has allowed it to cross generational lines, appearing in children’s ministries and traditional liturgical settings alike.

• "Agnus Dei" (Alleluia, Alleluia, for the Lord God Almighty Reigns): This powerful anthem is notable for its use of the traditional Latin "Holy, Holy, Holy" (Sanctus) alongside contemporary English lyrics. It is frequently used as a climactic moment of worship in both concert and church environments.

• "Friends": While a pop ballad, this song became a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s and 90s, serving as a foundational text for Christian fellowship and transitions (graduations, departures, and memorials).

Impact and Style

Smith’s writing often bridges the gap between the "performance" aspect of Christian music and the "participation" aspect of the church. His ability to craft "stadium-sized" anthems like "O Lord, Our Lord, How Majestic Is Your Name" alongside quiet, reflective pieces like "All is Well" (a Christmas staple) demonstrates a versatile understanding of the emotional arc of worship.

Beyond his songwriting, Smith is a noted composer of instrumental film scores and has been active in numerous humanitarian efforts. He remains a central elder figure in the Nashville music community, continuing to produce work that emphasizes global unity and the timelessness of the Christian message. His legacy is that of a "worship architect," helping to design the musical vocabulary that a generation of believers uses to express their faith.