2009 was a great year in Christian music. Excellent new music came from new faces and old favorites. The Top 20 Christian Hits of 2009 comes from charts like R&R, Billboard, and of course, About.com, and is based on how many weeks any given song stayed in the Top 10.
1. "By Your Side" - Tenth Avenue North
Integrity
Coming in at #1 with 24 weeks spent in the Top 10, "By Your Side," which debuted in November 2008, is the second radio single from the Dove New Artist of the Year's debut album, Over and Underneath. With very Jon Forman sounding vocals, the song is written from the perspective of Jesus himself, and asks some hard questions about why we don't seem to feel like he's enough.
2. "The Motions" - Matthew West
Sparrow
The last single release from Something To Say spent 20 weeks in the Top 10 and was the #1 song of 2008. "The Motions," a powerful song about living your life instead of just going through the motions, did even better than "You Are Everything" with 24 weeks of Top 10 action!
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3. "Free To Be Me" - Francesca Battistelli
Fervent Records
After spending 21 weeks in the Top 10, this song comes in at #3. The upbeat "Free To Be Me" is the second radio release from My Paper Heart to make the Top 10.
4. "I Will Rise" - Chris Tomlin
EMI
"I Will Rise," which spent 19 weeks in the Top 10, is a beautiful song from Chris Tomlin's 2008 release Hello Love.
5. "Revelation Song" - Phillips, Craig & Dean
INO
"Revelation Song," which spent 17 weeks in the Top 10, is off of the August smash release, fearless. A tribute to the greatness of Jesus, this song was a huge hit at radio.
6. "Finally Home" - MercyMe
INO
"Finally Home" comes from All That Is Within Me and we saw it for 17 weeks in the Top 10. Bart Millard's favorite song on the album because it reminds him of the day that he'll get to see his dad again, this emotional tune resonates with listeners because we all have loved ones that we long to see again.
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7. "There Will Be a Day" - Jeremy Camp
BEC Recordings
This powerful and passionate song, which spent 14 weeks in the Top 10, comes to us from Speaking Louder Than Before. The song set a ton of records at radio and every one of them was well deserved.
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8. "Praise Him In Advance" - Marvin Sapp
Provident
Marvin Sapp's seventh album, Thirsty, which hit stores in the summer of 2007, gave us the 23rd most popular song of 2008 with "Never Would Have Made It." In a repeat move, the other single release from that album, "Praise Him In Advance," made big waves in 2009 and ended up being even more popular. The inspiring, worship-filled tune is a true jewel.
9. "Souled Out" - Hezekiah Walker & LFC
Verity Records
Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir bring you to your feet with the title track from their latest release. Fun with a punch - that's "Souled Out." 
10. "In The Hands of God" - Newsboys
Inpop
"In The Hands of God," which debuted in May, is the title track from the latest Newsboys release. Very upbeat and positive, this song is a highlight of the album.
