Because this type of religious music was composed to be performed during religious services, worship services or religious rites is frequently referred to as church music or sacred music. The way that this type of music is created or composed is somewhat a two-way street. There is a large volume of music that has been written to complement religion. Many of the traditional styles of music have been adapted to serve the religious purposes. Music that was intended for the church was written by several of the classical music composers who became famous. Over time these musical works get revised and adapted to fit secular types.

There are various groups that routine incorporate music combining the religious lyrics with modern idioms or melodies from current day songs. Gospel music is another example of changing or arranging the context of religious songs to fit their melodic preferences in style and rhythm. Many different cultures have distinctive types of religious music that sometimes follows certain monotheism and tonality that is distinctive to their cultures as often seen with Asian or Native American societies.

The distinctive religious music lyrics characteristics that identifies each comes from a wide range of the qualities used according to their individual liturgies for each particular denomination as they are composed. Many times some of the music is restricted to particular religious ceremonies that have been influenced by modern times as well as traditions that have been handed down through the generations. Parts of the music and religious practices and music can be traced back to reveal they were first composed for temple and synagogues worship by the Hebrews in ancient times.

The history of church music shows that it may have evolved from music where the performers were frequently accompanied by an organ when the music was originally performed in the Jewish synagogues. An adaptation of the polyphonic style was made to this type of music in the twelfth century which involved the blending together of two or more melodies that were independent. It was also discovered that during the Medieval period the religious music was mostly performed in court ceremonies rather than the cathedral setting or in a church.

Throughout the years the liturgical music was performed by small choirs that were accompanied by instruments rather than the vocal soloists of the past. Many famous composers added to this musical form which additionally emerged into styles such as organ music, requiems and masses. Some of the twentieth century composers have increased this into many new forms of liturgical music that we are still familiar with today.