33 Maundy Thursday songs & hymns handpicked for worship

The meaning of Maundy or Holy Thursday

Maundy Thursday also called Holy Thursday is a remembrance of the last supper of Jesus Christ just before His arrest, passion and death.

The word ‘Maundy’ originates from the the Latin ‘Dias Mandatum’. It means "the day of the new commandment," which Christ gave to Christians that we should love one another, just as He has loved us (John 13:34-35).

Orthodox and Catholic churches have extra special reverence for Holy Thursday. Just as Christ humbly washed the feet of His disciples, the priest reenacts this action by washing the feet of people in the congregation.

In fact, after the Eucharistic celebration, the worship continues into the night also. People remain in Church keeping a prayerful ‘vigil’ remembering the command of Christ to keep watch and pray with Him just before His betrayal and arrest.

Another highlight of Holy Thursday worship is the Catholic Church refraining from celebrating a Mass until Easter Sunday. Church bells are also kept silent during Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

In the last 2,000 years, these are the only two days during which there’s no Mass anywhere in the world!

The date of Maundy Thursday this year is March 24^th.

33 songs for Holy Thursday worship

Songs and hymns, which help us remember the events of the Last Supper are considered appropriate for Maundy Thursday worship.

Themes of humility, servant-hood, Christian love, surrender etc. are greatly suitable.

So I’ve put together a list of 33 worship songs suitable for Good Friday.

You can download the list as a PDF file. It also contains lists of songs for Lent, Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter—including links to a few FREE songs too!

Here’s a free song to get you started:

1. Song of Christ – Robert Martin

Free MP3
Lyrics & chords

Here’s the list. To get the chord charts and videos, download the FREE PDF file:

2. Amazing grace (my chains are gone) – Chris Tomlin
3. At the cross – Hillsong
4. At the Cross (love ran red) – Chris Tomlin
5. Behold the Lamb (The Communion Hymn) – Stuart Townend
6. Broken vessels (amazing grace) – Hillsong
7. By our love – Christy Nockels
8. Christ is enough – Hillsong
9. Come as you are – Passion
10. Communion – Third Day
11. Gethsemane – Stuart Townend
12. He carries all my sorrows – Brenda Janz
13. Here I am to worship – Tim Hughes
14. I surrender to You  – Jeremy Camp
15. I'm forever grateful – Mark Altrogge
16. Jesus Messiah – Chris Tomlin
17. Love come down – Matt Maher
18. Majesty (here I am) – Delirious
19. Meekness and majesty – Graham Kendrick
20. Mercy – Matt Redman
21. My heart is Yours – Passion
22. Scandal of grace – Hillsong – Hillsong
23. So come – Kevin Prosch
24. Abide with me – Matt Maher
25. Surrender – Lincoln Brewster
26. The greatest gift – Matt Redman
27. The old rugged Cross / To the Cross – Brenda Janz
28. The Servant King – Graham Kendrick
29. There is a Redeemer – Kathryn Scott
30. This is our God – Hillsong
31. We Cry Out – Brian Johnson
32. We Will Run – Lisa Gungor
33. You Alone Can Rescue – Matt Redman

Hope these songs help enrich your Holy Thursday worship.