{{Short description|1988 contemporary worship song by Rich Mullins}} {{for|the tribute album|Awesome God: A Tribute to Rich Mullins{{!}}''Awesome God: A Tribute to Rich Mullins''}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox song | name = Awesome God | cover = | alt = | border = yes | type = single | artist = Rich Mullins | album = Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth | released = | format = | recorded = | studio = | genre = Contemporary worship | length = 3:05 | label = Reunion | writer = Rich Mullins | producer = Reed Arvin | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} "'''Awesome God'''" is a contemporary worship song written by Rich Mullins and first recorded on his 1988 album, ''Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth''. It was the first single from the album and rose to the number one spot on Christian AC radio and subsequently became a popular congregational song.<ref name="Ragamuffin">{{cite web|last=Selleck |first=Linda |title=A Ragamuffin Music Man: Rich Mullins |publisher=Friends United Meeting |date=April 1998 |url=http://www.fum.org/QL/issues/9804/mullins.htm |access-date=August 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708134739/http://www.fum.org/QL/issues/9804/mullins.htm |archive-date=July 8, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its title is inspired by a biblical expression (Nehemiah 1:5, Nehemiah 9:32, Psalm 47, Daniel 9:4, etc.), variously translated as "Awesome God", (JPS, in the old-fashioned meaning "awe-inspiring"), "great" (KJV), among other alternatives. Due to the popularity of the song, it became Mullins' signature song.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Bush |first=John |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rich-mullins-mn0000344729/ |title=Rich Mullins - Music Biography, Credits and Discography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref> It was also used in the 2021 Netflix movie ''A Week Away''.

== Commentary == Mullins did not consider the song to be one of his best. In an interview with ''The Lighthouse Electronic Magazine'' in April 1996, he said: <blockquote> You know, the thing I like about Awesome God is that it's one of the worst-written songs that I ever wrote; it's just poorly crafted. But the thing is that sometimes, I think, that when you become too conscientious about being a songwriter, the message becomes a vehicle for the medium. This is a temptation that I think all songwriters have. I think a great songwriter is someone who is able to take a very meaningful piece of wisdom — or of folly or whatever — and say it in a way that is most likely to make people respond. But, what you want them to respond to is not how cleverly you did that; what you want them to respond to is your message.<ref>{{cite web|first=Brent |last=Waters |url=http://www.kidbrothers.net/words/interviews/lighthouse-electronic-magazine-apr96.html |title=The Lighthouse Electronic Magazine Interview |publisher=Kidbrothers.net |access-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref> </blockquote>

== Accolades == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! Year ! Organization ! style="width:21em;" |Category ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row" | 1990 | GMA Dove Awards | Song of the Year | {{nom}} | rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Rich Mullins |url=https://cmnexus.org/profiles/Rich_Mullins |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716085551/https://cmnexus.org/profiles/Rich_Mullins |url-status=live |archive-date=2024-07-16 |access-date=2026-03-19 |website=CMnexus}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 1991 | GMA Dove Awards | Song of the Year | {{nom}} |}

== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Weekly chart performance for "Awesome God" ! scope="col" | Chart (1988) ! scope="col" | Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row" | US Christian Adult Contemporary (''CCM Magazine'')<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ccmcharts.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/adult-contemporary-chart-1978-2002-1.pdf|title=Adult Contemporary Chart (1978-2002)|magazine=CCM Magazine|accessdate=2026-03-10}}</ref> | 1 |- ! scope="row" | US Christian CHR (''CCM Magazine'')<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ccmcharts.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/christian-chr-chart-1978-2002.pdf|title=CCM Magazine CHR Chart (1978-2002)|magazine=CCM Magazine|accessdate=2026-03-10}}</ref> | 3 |- ! scope="row" | US Christian Inspirational (''CCM Magazine'')<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ccmcharts.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/inspirational-chart-1978-2002.pdf|title=Inspirational Chart (1978-2002)|magazine=CCM Magazine|accessdate=2026-03-10}}</ref> | 4 |}

== Cover versions == Over a year after Mullins' death (in September 1997),<ref name="allmusic"/> the song was covered on a tribute album for Mullins entitled ''Awesome God: A Tribute to Rich Mullins'' by fellow Contemporary Christian musician, Michael W. Smith.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Awesome-God-Tribute-Rich-Mullins/dp/B00000DFV1/ |title=Awesome God: A Tribute To Rich Mullins: Music |publisher=Amazon.com |access-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Phares |first=Heather |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/awesome-god-a-tribute-to-rich-mullins-mw0000601282 |title=Awesome God: A Tribute to Rich Mullins - Various Artists : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date=September 15, 1998 |access-date=June 20, 2013}}</ref> Numerous other Christian artists have performed versions in numerous styles, from ska to swing to rock and traditional worship style, even hardcore punk and heavy metal by the bands Unashamed and Pantokrator.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mauce.nl/site/listen-to-pantokrator-version-of-awesome-god/|title=Listen to "Pantokrator" Version of "Awesome God"|publisher=The Metal Resource|access-date=June 23, 2016}}</ref>

== Phil Wickham version == {{Infobox song | name = What an Awesome God | type = single | artist = Phil Wickham | album = Song of the Saints | released = {{start date|2025|04|11}} | length = {{duration|m=3|s=32}} | label = {{hlist|Fair Trade/Columbia}} | writer = {{hlist|Wickham|Jonathan Smith|Rich Mullins}} | producer = Smith | prev_title = The King Is in the Room | prev_year = 2025 | title = What an Awesome God | year = 2025 | next_title = Homesick for Heaven | next_year = 2025 }} On April 11, 2025, Phil Wickham released an updated remake of the song, titled "What an Awesome God". It appeared on his album ''Song of the Saints''. The song became his first ''Billboard'' Hot 100 entry and topped ''Billboard's'' Christian Airplay and AC Airplay charts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asker |first=Jim |date=2025-08-16 |title=Phil Wickham Leads Christian Airplay Chart With ‘What an Awesome God’ |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/phil-wickham-what-an-awesome-god-number-1-christian-airplay-1236042846/ |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Billboard}}</ref>

=== Accolades === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! Year ! Organization ! style="width:21em;" |Category !Result !{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row" | 2025 | We Love Awards | Worship Song of the Year | {{nom}} | rowspan="1" | <ref>{{cite web |date=2026-01-05 |title=We Love Christian Music Awards - Nominees |url=https://www.newreleasetoday.com/weloveawards_nominations.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260105193920/https://www.newreleasetoday.com/weloveawards_nominations.php |archive-date=2026-01-05 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=We Love Awards |publisher=New Release Today}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 2026 | K-Love Fan Awards | Song of the Year | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://gospelmusic.org/news/k-love-has-announced-the-nominees-for-13th-annual-k-love-fan-awards?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8FqXWOXaGpyRFtSouPyUiPNZAKRVrVnBxF4HBjnUdQkJc0wZWGAigy8GLxmZXqsDGdVldlHTk1gSoeXds9zamXjVsvNH6a42dhKf1iuVebdh7t3Ik&_hsmi=417903132&utm_content=417903132&utm_source=hs_email|title=K-LOVE Announces the Nominees for the 13th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards|date=2026-05-08|accessdate=2026-05-08|publisher=Gospel Music Association}}</ref> |} {| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders mw-collapsible" |+ Year-end lists |- ! scope="col"| Publication ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Accolade ! scope="col"| Rank ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row" | K-Love | 25 Songs That Defined 2025 || Unordered || <ref>{{cite web|date=2025-12-29|accessdate=2026-01-06|title=25 Songs That Defined 2025|url=https://www.klove.com/music/blog/music-news/25-songs-that-defined-2025-12760|last=Williams|first=Lindsay|website=K-Love}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="1" scope="row" | Air1 | Air1 Unwrapped 2025 || 1 || <ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-12-29|accessdate=2026-01-12|title=Air1 Unwrapped 2025 |url=https://www.air1.com/music/blog/music-news/air1-unwrapped-2025-12748 |first=Williams |last=Lindsay|website=Air1}}</ref> |}

=== Charts === {{col begin}} {{col 2}} ==== Weekly charts ==== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Weekly chart performance for "What an Awesome God" ! scope="col" |Chart (2025–2026) ! scope="col" |Peak<br />position |- !scope="row"| UK Singles Downloads Chart<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=Official Single Downloads Chart: Week of April 18, 2025 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20250418/7000/ |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Official Charts Company}}</ref> |80 |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|86|artist=Phil Wickham|rowheader=true|access-date=January 13, 2026}} |- {{single chart|Billboardchristiansongs|2|artist=Phil Wickham|rowheader=true|access-date=December 2, 2025}} |- {{single chart|Billboardchristianairplay|1|artist=Phil Wickham|rowheader=true|access-date=October 7, 2025}} |} {{col 2}}

==== Year-end charts ==== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for "What an Awesome God" ! scope="col"| Chart (2025) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| US Hot Christian Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/brandon-lake-cece-winans-christian-gospel-year-end-charts/1-brandon-lake-hard-fought-hallelujah/|title=Brandon Lake & CeCe Winans Shine on Christian & Gospel Year-End Charts: Countdown to Billboard's 2025 Year-End Charts|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=December 3, 2025|access-date=December 4, 2025}}</ref> | 5 |- ! scope="row"| US Christian Airplay (''Billboard'')<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2025/christian-airplay-songs/|date=2025-12-09|accessdate=2025-12-10|title=Christian Airplay Songs|website=Billboard}}</ref> | 9 |- ! scope="row"| US Christian Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'')<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2025/hot-christian-adult-contemporary/|date=2025-12-09|accessdate=2025-12-10|title=Christian AC Airplay Songs|website=Billboard}}</ref> | 13 |- |} {{col end}}

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * [http://www.kidbrothers.net/wohsoe.html#ag Awesome God] lyrics

{{Rich Mullins}} {{Phil Wickham}} {{authority control}}

Category:Contemporary Christian songs Category:1988 songs Category:Songs written by Rich Mullins Category:Reunion Records singles Category:Songs based on the Bible