"Encouraging Words" was released in Britain on September 11, 1970 (with the Apple catalogue number SAPCOR 14) and in America on November 9 (as ST 3370). To tie in with the album's release, "My Sweet Lord" was issued as a single in some European countries. In early December, by which point Harrison's version was dominating the airwaves, the single was released in the US, with "Little Girl" on the B-side. The single peaked at number 90 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart of February 27, 1971.