Song Story: “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” by Matt Redman
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman: Insights into the Song’s Creation and Meaning
WL: Can you share how “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” came together and the heart behind its theme and focus?
Matt Redman: I co-wrote this song with my friend Jonas Myrin, a Swedish songwriter I’ve partnered with many times. Jonas shared an initial melody idea for the chorus that struck me instantly; it felt like the perfect fit for a song centered on the opening lines of Psalm 103. Remarkably, the song came together very quickly—much of it actually sprang up spontaneously. It’s interesting; some songs like “Blessed Be Your Name” can take months of writing and refining, while others, like “10,000 Reasons,” flow almost effortlessly. Through these experiences, I’ve learned there’s no rule that says something composed quickly is necessarily more spiritual or inspired. God-breathed songs can indeed emerge spontaneously, but they can also be the result of focused effort and perseverance.
Psalm 103 has long been one of my favorites because it lists so many powerful reasons to worship God: He heals our diseases, redeems us from the pit, and crowns us with love and compassion. In the verses of “10,000 Reasons,” we tried to create a list of our own, even though we’re only just scratching the surface of God’s infinite worth. The title’s “10,000 Reasons” is a declaration of the countless motivations we have to praise Him. With anyone else, it would be an exaggeration, but with Jesus, it’s an understatement. The core message of the song is this: if we ever find ourselves unable to think of a reason to thank or praise God, then the disconnect is on our side, not His. We live each day in the midst of an endless stream of His goodness, kindness, and holiness—each of which underscores how utterly worthy He is of our highest devotion.
WL: Could you explain the phrase “Bless the Lord,” especially the meaning of “bless” as it applies to us versus God?
Matt Redman: I love the phrase “Bless the Lord” and find John Piper’s explanation insightful. He points out that when God blesses us, He’s adding to us, enriching our lives. But when we bless the Lord, it’s different; we’re not adding anything to God or enriching Him. Rather, we’re recognizing His boundless richness and expressing our thanks and praise for it.
WL: The title echoes “Amazing Grace.” Can you talk about your lyrical choices and the connection between “10,000 reasons” and “10,000 years”?
Matt Redman: By the time we reached verse three, we already had the phrase “10,000 reasons” in the lyrics. So when we began focusing on eternity, it felt natural to mirror that “10,000” number while subtly nodding to “Amazing Grace.” This mirroring technique is something I picked up from country music—songs like Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home” and Blake Shelton’s “The Baby” use lyrical hooks with a twist, which is very effective. In worship songwriting, we often emphasize melodic and musical hooks, but lyrical hooks are equally powerful. They help make the song immediate and memorable for congregations.
WL: “10,000 Reasons” is rooted in Scripture but doesn’t quote it verbatim. Could you share your approach to incorporating Scripture in song?
Matt Redman: My goal in songwriting is to blend passion with truth. I deeply admire worship songs that are rich in Scripture and clearly spring from a songwriter’s heart. One way to incorporate Scripture is to set a direct passage to music, allowing people to memorize the Bible through song. I haven’t personally excelled at that style, and it’s challenging to fit word-for-word Scripture into the musical style I typically write in. While memorizing Scripture is invaluable, my primary aim has always been to see something of Jesus and then reflect it in song.
Eugene Peterson, in Under the Unpredictable Plant, describes Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish, noting that every line is drawn from the Psalms. Jonah wasn’t just quoting Scripture; he was passionately pouring out his heart, yet his words were saturated with God’s Word. That’s my ideal for worship songwriting: to be so filled with Scripture that, in intense moments of life, whether in joy or sorrow, what flows from us is infused with God’s Word. It might not be a direct Scripture passage, but rather an essence of Paul’s teachings, a phrase from the Psalms, and an echo of Jesus’ words—all woven together. This approach keeps songs authentic and relatable, yet firmly grounded in biblical truth.
Final Reflections
“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” captures the heart of worship, where we come humbly before God, recognizing His endless worth and declaring our gratitude. Each line is a gentle reminder of God’s faithfulness and our place in His eternal story. With its biblical foundation, lyrical resonance, and congregational accessibility, this song continues to uplift believers worldwide, pointing them toward the infinite reasons we have to bless the Lord.
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Matt Redman is a GRAMMY®-Award winning worship leader and songwriter who has been a leading contributor to the global Church’s songbook over the last twenty years. His journey as a worship leader and songwriter has taken him to countries such as South Africa, Japan, India, Australia and the Czech Republic. Along the way he has sung in venues such as Madison Square Garden, Wembley stadium, and the Royal Albert Hall - as well as recording in iconic studios such as Abbey Road in London and Capitol Records in LA. Matt Redman’s best songs include The Heart of Worship, Blessed Be Your Name, Our God - and the double-Grammy winning 10,000 Reasons. More recent co-writes include Do It Again and Build my Life. Beyond music, he is an author and also launched a successful podcast in 2021, ‘Redman & Riddle’, which he co-hosts with worship artist Jeremy Riddle. He recently announced his fourteenth full-length album, set to release in mid-2023, which is introduced by debut single ‘Son of Suffering’. Originally from England, Matt Redman now resides in California with his wife Beth and their five children.