Piano Cover of "Awesome God"

Awesome God piano chords may already be somewhere in your memory. Rich Mullins wrote the song, and the version in the video above is by Michael W. Smith. It’s a praise song that plenty of church bands already know, and it still works with a South African choir standing behind it.

A song the whole church can sing

Awesome God is congregational to its core. It was written to be sung by everyone, not performed at them, which is why it suits the opening of a service or the middle of a praise set. It’s declarative: the words make a statement, and the music backs that statement up with a firm, steady beat.

That shapes how you play it. This isn’t a song for floating pads and soft fingers. It wants a confident left hand, a clear pulse and chords that land on time. If the drummer is strong, lock in with the kick. If you’re on your own, you’re the rhythm section.

G♭ major, or F♯ if you prefer

The video above plays it in G♭ major, six flats. On the piano, that’s the same as F♯ major. Here are the chords you’ll use, spelled for G♭:

• 1: G♭ (G♭, B♭, D♭)
• 2m: A♭m (A♭, C♭, E♭)
• 4: C♭ (C♭, E♭, G♭)
• 5: D♭ (D♭, F, A♭)
• 6m: E♭m (E♭, G♭, B♭)

If you read in F♯, the same five are F♯, G♯m, B, C♯ and D♯m. Use whichever spelling the band understands, but agree on the numbers before rehearsal.

Sound-wise, a bright grand piano is the starting point. If you have a second keyboard player, a Hammond-style organ underneath gives the song a gospel lift that suits a South African choir.

Awesome God piano chords: keep it simple

We don’t have a full chart for Awesome God on the site yet, so I won’t write out a progression I haven’t checked against our own transcription. What I will say is that this is a song built for congregations, and its harmony stays close to home. The 1, 4, 5 and 6m are the family. Listen to the video, follow the bass, and write each change down as a number.

Simplicity is the point here. A song like this works because thousands of people can sing it without thinking. The more you add, the more you risk pulling the congregation off the melody. Play the chords, play them in time, and let the room do the rest.

Giving a standard some gospel weight

• Right hand: full triads with the top note doubled. G♭ as G♭, B♭, D♭, G♭ sounds bold and steady, which is what this song needs.
• Left hand: octaves on the beat. Don’t walk too much; the strength is in the repetition.
• The 5/7 lead-in: before landing on the 1, play D♭/F (D♭ chord with F in the bass). The bass steps F to G♭ and the arrival sounds firmer.
• The 2⁷: on the way to the 5, swap A♭m for A♭7 (A♭, C, E♭, G♭). Note the C natural. That chord points hard at D♭ and gives a hymn-like song a gospel edge.
• The sus: D♭sus4 (D♭, G♭, A♭) to D♭ at the end of a section gives the leader a moment to breathe before the next line.

Try these voicings slowly in the Chord Voicing Lab if the flats are still unfamiliar.

Picking a key your leader can sing

G♭ is not the usual congregational key, so don’t be surprised if your leader wants it somewhere else. In G, the 1, 4, 5 and 6m are G, C, D and Em. In A, they’re A, D, E and F♯m. In E, they’re E, A, B and C♯m. Choose the key for the congregation, not the keyboard. Gig Mode shows you any key on your phone, and the Circle of Fifths helps you see why these keys feel related.

A 15-minute practice plan

1. Play the five G♭ chords with doubled top notes, then the same in G (four minutes).
2. Map the song in numbers with the video (five minutes).
3. Drill D♭/F to G♭, and A♭7 to D♭ to G♭ (three minutes).
4. Play straight through with a firm left hand and no extra fills (three minutes).

FAQ

Who wrote Awesome God?

Rich Mullins. The version in the video above is by Michael W. Smith.

What key is this version of Awesome God in?

G♭ major, which is the same keys as F♯ major on the piano.

Want something from closer to home? Browse our worship song charts for South African songs with full chord charts.