10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Feb 1

My favorite worship song is "10,000 Reasons." It brings me joy each time I hear it. I think it is nice that it could be used in a contemporary or traditional setting. The words are uplifting - I like that it talks about a "new day dawning" and reassures us that God will be there throughout our lives until the end. The words also remind us that, "whatever may pass and whatever lies before me," we should be singing God's praises. ~~Madeline Larson

THE SONG:

In Psalm 103, the psalmist David lists several reasons why his heart is full of worship for God; He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems our lives from the pit, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires and gives righteousness and justice. So Redman and co-writer, Jonas Myrin made a list of their own, noting they were barely scratching the surface of God's worth. "The point behind the song is this," explained Redman; "If you wake up one morning and you cannot think of a reason to bring God some kind of offering of thanks or praise, then you can be sure there's something wrong at your end of the pipeline, and not his. We live beneath an unceasing flow of goodness, kindness, greatness, and holiness, and every day we're given reason after reason why Jesus is so completely and utterly worthy of our highest and best devotion."

The 10,000 reasons of the title echoes the "10,000 years" of "Amazing Grace." "We already had the '10,000 reasons' lyric in verse two," explained Redman. "So when it got to writing verse three, and we were on the theme of eternity, the idea came to mirror that '10,000' number and at the same time give a nod to the old hymn.

“10,000 Reasons” reached No. 1 on the US Billboard of Christian Songs chart in 2012. It also won Best Contemporary Christian Music Song, and Redman won Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance for his rendition of the tune at the 2013 Grammy Awards. This song also won Song of the Year, Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year and Best Pop Contemporary Song at the 2013 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.

Matt’s words about the song:

“10,000 Reasons has been the song that has connected the most, had the most momentum. It’s such a simple little song. It doesn’t even have a pretty chorus or bridge. It’s to the point where I didn’t even know if it was finished before we recorded it. Some other people on the team strongly encouraged me, “Yeah, we’re definitely recording this one,” and it’s just been wonderful. It’s just four chords and the truth. There’s nothing complicated or super progressive, creatively, about it, but it’s just a simple little hymn or song to Jesus. It’s been really, I don’t know, humbling, exciting, encouraging, just seeing that song travel around the world, maybe from a little backstreet in Mumbai somewhere and getting a video of an orphanage singing it, or township somewhere in Africa, or somebody in a hospital room.”

For more insight into the music and thoughts on worship by Matt Redman, visit this link: https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/the-power-of-connecting-through-worship-praise-matt-redman-mark-schultz/

THE ARTIST:

Matthew James Redman was born on February 14, 1974 and raised in Watford, England. The family had moved to a small commuter town named Chorleywood and a few years later is when Redman’s father died unexpectedly, when he was just seven years old. His mother later remarried into an abusive relationship that took a great toll on the family. At the age of 10, he converted to Christianity after attending a mission service by Luis Palau at London's QPR football stadium. He attended the Anglican church of St Andrew's Chorleywood, in Hertfordshire. It was there he learned to play guitar, and at the age of 20, he began leading worship services and released his first album. In 1993, Redman, alongside his pastor Mike Pilavachi, helped found Soul Survivor, a global Christian movement and annual music festival aimed at reaching youth. From 1994 until 2002, Redman lead worship services for Soul Survivor Church in Watford. In 2008, Redman, along with his wife Beth and their three children, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to help plant Passion City Church with Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin. He and wife Beth Redman now have five children and reside in California. To date, Redman has released 16 albums, written 8 books, and helped start 3 church-plants.

In Matt Redman’s words: "It makes me more passionate about trying to write songs in a way that lots of different people can sing. That's the heart behind it all. Sing first with an eye towards God - let every melody and word be an inspired heartfelt response to Him. But sing also with the church in mind - crafting that inspiration in a way that might help others give voice to their worship of Jesus."