10,000 Reasons

Released in 2012, this song by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin came together quickly, beginning with the chorus. Myrin played some of what would become the chorus melodies and Redman became inspired, connecting it to Psalm 103. The song was written and completed in an hour according to Redman.

Reflecting on the song, Redman says, “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.”

Take time to read Psalm 103 now, and then reflect on the lyrics of the song.

Chorus 1

Bless the Lord O my soul O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name

Verse 1

The sun comes up it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Verse 2

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Verse 3

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

The words of King David give us, as Tim Keller puts it in his book The Songs of Jesus, “how to work the gospel into one’s own heart until it transforms.” Keller goes on to write, “It happens through inward dialogue, speaking directly and forcefully to your own heart rather than just listening to it.” We must actively work the scriptures into our souls like the farmer works fertilizer into the soil.

In his book, titled, “In The Lord I Take Refuge”, Dane Ortland writes, “‘Growth in the Christian life is the process of bringing your sense of self, your swirling internal world of fretful panic arising out of gospel deficit, into alignment with the more fundamental truth that ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love’ (v. 8).”

(Ending)
Sing like never before O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
Worship Your holy name
Worship Your holy name

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