Awesome God

Album: Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Rich Mullins was a Christian singer-songwriter who is best known for his worship songs. He tragically died aged 41 in an automobile accident in 1997.
  • This simple hymn, which acknowledges God's awesome power, is Mullins' best known song and was placed #1 in the 2006 book CCM Magazine presents 100 Greatest Songs In Christian Music.
  • Rich Mullins was driving late at night by himself in a pick-up truck somewhere between Tennessee and Missouri. He was on his to a youth concert in Colorado and was having trouble staying awake. Rich found himself thinking about envisaged an imaginary "hellfire and brimstone" preacher, the kind that bellow short, sharp proclamations about God to their congregation. He rolled his window down and started shouting these statements into the night, trying to stay awake. Line by line Rich yelled the phrases of what was to become this song. He committed those lines to memory until he got to the venue and found a piano and taught the kids "Awesome God."
  • The song was used in the 2021 Netflix movie A Week Away. The film features a modern medley version of "Awesome God" and For King & Country's "God Only Knows." The medley is performed during a campfire scene in the movie.
  • Phil Wickham released an updated version of the song titled "What An Awesome God" in 2025. For Wickham's rendition, he and Jonathan Smith wrote new verses that they combined with Mullins' original chorus.

Comments: 1

  • Rick W from UsaI was one of those kids at the Christ in Youth conference at what was then Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado. Rich led a group that provided the music for the entire multi-day conference. I remember how he told us he had written this song on the way to the conference, and I remember seeing him and the other singers grouped around a microphone, holding between them a small piece of paper on which he had written the lyrics and chords, and I remember the profound emotion of hearing that chorus as the ensemble sang it, and then as 500+ high schoolers joined in. It was a special, amazing, awesome moment!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?