Christian Music Playlist for Deep Focus While Working or Studying

The human brain is a marvelous creation of God. Understanding how it functions and how to optimize its performance across various tasks is crucial for both productivity and rest. There’s significant research on the benefits of deep work, or deep studying, most notably in books by Cal Newport. But Christians have known for centuries that pulling away from distractions to focus on a course of study or the discipline of work has both physical, intellectual, and spiritual benefits.

Christian music can support us in deep focus. Elements of music that facilitate this type of endeavor are songs that are predictable; in other words, they have few dynamic swells. They contain minimal lyric-heavy verses, which tend to engage your language-processing brain away from the language-processing task you’re doing. They aren’t “hooky” songs in the way that a catchy chorus embeds in your mind and replays.

This means the best Christian music for deep focus when working or studying is likely primarily instrumental or has few words or repetitive words that don’t make demands on the language-processing center of your brain. Here are 10 options for Christian music for deep focus when working or studying.

#1 Gregorian Chants

While not written in contemporary times, Gregorian chants are enjoying a modern revival specifically because their simplicity and beauty are so conducive to facilitating deep work or study.

This particular 30-minute recording contains a hymn called Refugium In Altissimi or “Refuge in the Most High” based on Psalm 91. While in Latin in the chants, here are the words of Psalm 91:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
     will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
     my God, in whom I trust.”

³ For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
     and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his pinions,
     and under his wings you will find refuge;
     his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of the night,
     nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
     nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
     ten thousand at your right hand,
     but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only look with your eyes
     and see the recompense of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
     the Most High, who is my refuge—
¹⁰ no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
     no plague come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
     to guard you in all your ways.
¹² On their hands they will bear you up,
     lest you strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the adder;
     the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

¹⁴ “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
     I will protect him, because he knows my name.
¹⁵ When he calls to me, I will answer him;
     I will be with him in trouble;
     I will rescue him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91 ESV

#2 Acoustic Instrumentals of Contemporary Worship Songs

According to an article from Georgetown University, “work flow” music was effective for participants in productivity, mood, and stress reduction. Acoustic music like this 3-hour compilation of contemporary worship songs qualifies as “work flow” music because it is instrumental, avoids frequent melodic shifts, and maintains a steady tempo.

This compilation has the added advantage of one consistent calming visual overlaid with rotating Scripture verses.

#3 Christian LoFi Music

As we learn more about the impact of music on focus, variations are emerging. LoFi, a term that technically means “low fidelity” music, has also come to mean music that is “chill” or calming. This nearly two-hour compilation of instrumental Christian music is designed to be LoFi. While not acoustic, there are no lyrics to engage the language-processing part of your brain, but there are recognizable contemporary Christian songs.

#4 Celtic Christian Music

Celtic music has wonderful components conducive to deep work and study. This one-hour recording contains a variety of Christian hymns all set to Celtic instrumentals.

#5 Traditional Hymns Instrumental

 Of course, traditional hymns are typically soothing with predictable melodics. This nearly five-hour recording contains piano and cello instrumentals to traditional hymns. If you have specific instruments that you find appealing, it’s likely someone else does, too, and has recorded hymns or other Christian songs to that music. A quick online search will open up a variety for you.

#6 Gospel Blues

One of my all-time favorite styles of Christian music is Gospel Blues. This 3-hour recording contains lyrics, but it’s perfect for times when I’m completing tasks that don’t involve deep engagement of my language-processing (like reading or writing do). It's also a wonderful place to begin if you’re feeling blue. It’s long been known that the process for shifting a mood using music is to begin with the mood you’re in and gradually switch to the music that reflects your goal mood. 

#7 R&B Christian Music

Are you a fan of jazz or R&B? Are you looking for a steady pace, but one that is a bit more energized than acoustic? Try some R&B Christian music for deep work like this nearly one-hour selection focused on the words of the most-beloved Psalms.

#8 Latin/Salsa Worship Songs

Again, the style of music you find calming and focusing may be more upbeat than many instrumental or acoustic songs. You can find online playlists such as this one containing Latin/Salsa worship songs. They have a fairly steady, predictable rhythm, although there is singing so that will engage your language-processing center. Still, depending on the deep work you’re doing, especially if it involves numbers or artwork, this may be the ideal choice for you.

#9 Classical Sacred Orchestral Music

While we often think of classical music as good music for studying or deep work, it’s still important to consider grand changes in tempo or escalation in the orchestration. These changes can distract us, even temporarily, from work like deep study or writing. However, if Mozart is how you roll, you’ll find this selection of over two hours of sacred classical music just the key.

#10 Top Christian Songs for Deep Work

While this compilation of Christian songs contains lyrics, most of these songs come up at the top of every list of Christian songs containing the best rhythm for deep work and studying focus. It’s likely a great opening recording to settle and prep your mind for your best focus, but you’ll want to switch to something without lyrics (like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBDLz9i5bnY ) once you’re ready to concentrate.

Consider your musical tastes (although remain open to trying new music), the type of work/study you’re doing, and music with predictable tempos and reduced lyrical demand for optimal deep work and study. It can be enlightening to try a variety before settling in on your own top ten list!

Happy deep work and studying time! When we invite God into all we do, it makes even work and study richer.

Photo credit: stockstudio

Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a writer, coach, speaker, and disturber of hobbits. She’s authored seven encouraging, challenging books, including Running from a Crazy Man, The Art of Hard Conversations, and God’s Abundant Mercy 40 Days of Living in His Compassion. She speaks her mind at www.loriroeleveld.com.