10,000 reasons was written by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin. The song was the title track to Redman's eighth album that came out in 2012. In regards to writing the songs, including the title track, Redman said to Worship Leader Magazine, "He (Jonas Myrin) played me an idea for some of the chorus melody, and I found it immediately inspiring. In fact, it felt like a perfect fit for a song based on the opening of Psalm 103.
The song came together really quickly - a good chunk of the song was actually a spontaneous moment. I have no idea why some songs take months of writing and re-writing (like 'Blessed Be Your Name') and others arrive really swiftly (like this one). One thing I've realized over the years is there's no distinct rule that says that something composed quickly must therefore be more spiritual or inspired! Yes, God-breathed inspired worship songs can at times be written very quickly and spontaneously—but at other times they've involved a lot of perseverance, perspiration, and hard work!"
As Matt alluded to in the above quote, this song is based on Psalm 103 written by the psalmist, David. This psalm is simply an outpouring of worship to the Lord from David's heart because of everything He has done for him, and in reality, for us as well. Both this song written by Matt Redman and the psalm written by King David start off with the words "Bless the Lord, O my soul." For me, this is somewhat of an intriguing phrase. How do we bless the Lord? Blessings are what we receive from Him when He gives us favor, or protection, or help, or His provisions. In that regard, there's no way we can "bless the Lord." In His holiness, we can't give Him our favor when our favor is tainted with sin. We can't offer protection to the Omnipotent One. We can't offer help to the Sovereign One. We can't provide for the One who "owns the cattle on a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10) So, what exactly does the psalmist mean when he says, "Bless the Lord, O my soul"?
I think we gain a better understanding of the praise David is offering to the Lord as we examine why he is offering this. I encourage you before you read on in this post to stop and read through Psalm 103 (click here to read). This passage is full of reasons we have to worship our Creator and Savior! David is saying "Bless the Lord, O my soul" as an expression of worship, praise, thanks, and acknowledgement for all of the blessings that he has received from the Lord. Worship, as defined by Redman in his book, "The Heart of Worship Files", is a response to a revelation. As we see God for who He is, all that He has done for us, and all that He has promised us, our response should be to worship Him and bless Him with our words, our hearts and our lives. Here are the reasons David lists in Psalm 103 as to why his heart cries, "Bless the Lord, O my soul":
• He forgives us. (vs. 3)
• He heals us. (vs. 3)
• He redeems us. (vs. 4)
• He shows us love and mercy. (vs. 5)
• He gives His righteousness to those who are unrighteous. (vs. 6)
• He is merciful and gracious. (vs. 7)
• He is slow to anger and full of love. (vs. 8)
• He doesn't deal with us according to our sin. (vs. 10)
• He doesn't give us what we deserve because of our sins. (vs. 10)
• He is comassionate. (vs. 13)
• He keeps His word and His promises even in our humanistic state. (vs. 14-18)
• He is our King. (vs. 19)
And so we sing...
"Bless the Lord O my soul! Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before O my soul! I'll worship Your holy name."
Because of everything Jesus has done for us, our hearts should be so full with thanksgiving and praise, that we sing like never before every Sunday (or every day for that matter) in worship to our King! Yes, each day we sing to Jesus should be louder, more emphatic, and more passionate than the day before!
"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."
This can be a prayer we start every day with. Understanding the fact that our lives are simply a, "...mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (James 4:14), we should live each day for His glory. Ephesians 1:3-6 and 2:4-7 tells us that God has predestined us for adoption and has raised us up with Him for a purpose. We are called into communion with Him, not just for our benefit, but for a purpose. Realizing that each day is a gift from Him and that He has a purpose for our lives, our prayer should be that each day we sing the song of His goodness. We also, "...know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). So, whatever may pass and whatever lies before us, we can continue to sing and praise our God because He is sovereign and He is in control!
"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 10,000 reasons for my heart to find."
In this verse, Matt Redman mentions a few reasons from Psalm 103 to worship the Lord and bless His name. However, He also reminds us that even Psalm 103 just touches the surface of the 10,000+ reasons our heart and lives can bless the Lord.
"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 10,000 years and then forevermore!"
Here Matt Redman hints at the promise of eternity with Jesus that we have through salvation in Him. This verse becomes a prayer for consistency in our lives. May we have the same lifestyle of worship now until Jesus calls us home! Redman also points to the beloved hymn John Newton wrote in 1779, "Amazing Grace", with the reference to 10,000 years: "When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we've first begun." How awesome will it be to be in the very presence of Jesus and be able to sing His praise 10,000 years and then forevermore?!
So this Sunday as you sing, or tomorrow for that matter, let's sing and worship louder, with more enthusiasm, and more passion than ever before! And as you go throughout your days, there will be times that you forget the goodness of Jesus in your life. In those times, when things seem dark or distant, ask the Lord to bring Psalm 103 to your mind. Read that passage and cry out with the psalmist, "Bless the Lord, O my soul". Then join Matt Redman and declare, "For all Your goodness I will keep on singing 10,000 reasons for my heart to find!"
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
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