Matt Redman – Blessed Be Your Name

It’s that time again for me to review a song of my choosing.  What do I choose this time?  How about an artist that is not Hillsong I’ve done before.

You’ve probably figured out my choice by now, given the title.  Yes, I will be reviewing Matt Redman’s song Blessed Be Your Name.  I have already written on his song 10,000 Reasons, so if you’re more interested in some background information on Matt Redman, you can read the intro to that review.

What I did not mention is that Redman received a GMA Dove Award in 2005 for “Worship Song of the Year” for this song.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

The entire message Redman communicates can be summarized in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Praise God regardless of circumstances.

The Apostle Paul is one of my favorite Bible authors, in part because he often contrasts opposite ideologies to make his points.  The same is true with the writings of Solomon, particularly in the book of Proverbs.  Redman does the same thing in Verses 1 and 2, and the Pre-Chorus, juxtaposing prosperity with poverty and points us towards God’s blessed name in either circumstance.

Side Note: To those who are bothered by massive repetition, the line “blessed be your name” repeats over 20 times.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Everything in Redman’s lyrics agrees with Scripture.  Lyrics posted with permission*.

[Verse 1]

Blessed Be Your Name

To my amazement, I pulled three Bible verses that explicitly call God’s name blessed, namely, Psalm 72:18-19, Psalm 113:2, Job 1:21, and Daniel 2:19-20.

In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow

In the nation of Israel, under the Old Covenant, blessings were based upon obedience.  According to Deuteronomy 28, the nation of Israel would find prosperity within childbearing, ample food supply, protection, aid in warfare, and a land by which to dwell.  However, all would be taken away if they unrepentantly disobeyed together.  They would become a cursed nation, given over to another nation.  Israel would experience both blessing and cursing according to their level of obedience.  More can be read throughout the books of Judges, 1 and 2 Samual, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles.

Also, see Psalm 36:8, Matthew 6:25-34, John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 4:19, and James 1:17.

Blessed be Your name

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

Blessed Be Your name

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness

Though Redman is not specific about the circumstances (perhaps to appeal to a wider audience), he turns the account of Israel wandering through the desert for 40 years.  According to Numbers 14:1-38, Israel wandered because of their lack of trust in God.  They believed the bad report given in Numbers 13:25-33, that they could not conquer the promised land.  Despite their disobedience, God still blessed and protected the rebellious nation of Israel.

In one particular incident, Balak, king of Moab, had seen what Israel did to the Amorites and greatly feared them (Numbers 21:21-35 and Numbers 22:2-3).  He sought and paid the wicked prophet Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22:5-7); however, God commanded Balaam not to curse Israel because they are blessed (Numbers 22:9-12).  When Balaam arrives, Balak takes him to three places, each requesting to curse Israel.  Instead, Balaam obeys God and blesses Israel (Numbers 24:10).

While Balaam does play a part in Israel’s sexual sin at Peor (Numbers 25:1 and Revelation 2:14), it is abundantly clear that through the wilderness, the nation of Israel was still blessed.

The application is that we too are blessed by God, despite the wilderness circumstances we place ourselves in through acts of disobedience.  We must be careful not to stay in the wilderness as God gives a warning in Psalm 95:8-11, quoted in Hebrews 3:7-10, that we shall not harden our hearts.  The end result is that we will not enter God’s rest, removing the blessings received and adding curses to our lives.

There are occasions where we find ourselves in circumstances outside our control, where God puts us through trials and tribulations to build our character, described in Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, and 1 Peter 4:12-19.

Blessed Be Your name

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

[Pre-Chorus]

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise

This is an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving for the things God provides.  Rather than boasting and arrogance, Redman chooses to praise God for the blessings he receives, consistent with 1 Chronicles 16:34, 2 Chronicles 5:13, Psalm 7:17, Psalm 9:1-20, Psalm 107:8-9, Psalm 95:2-3, Psalm 106:1, Jeremiah 30:19, Jeremiah 33:11, 1 Corinthians 1:4-5, 2 Corinthians 4:15, 2 Corinthians 9:11-12, Colossians 3:16-17, and 1 Timothy 4:4-5.

When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

As we will see in the Chorus, regardless of our circumstances, Redman will continue to praise God and call His name blessed.  This concept is explicitly mentioned in Psalm 23:4-6.

[Chorus]

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Repeats idea behind Verse 1, line 1.

[Verse 2]

Blessed be Your name

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’

See commentary in Verse 1, lines 2-3.

Blessed be Your name

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

Blessed be Your name

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering

See commentary in Verse 1, lines 6-7.

Blessed be Your name

Repeats Verse 1, line 1.

[Bridge]

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Quoted from Job 1:21, Job’s attitude is that the same as Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: we praise God no matter what happens to us.  We read in the very next verse, Job 1:22, that through his affliction, he did not sin nor did he blame God.  This ought to be our attitude also.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

It should be crystal clear to any unbeliever that God’s name is blessed.  After all, Redman drills this idea in successive repetition over 20 times!  They should also immediately recognize the heart and attitude of Redman as described in section 1.  The message Redman intended for Christ followers is not lost on outsiders to which I hope and pray stirs up curiosity to explore Jesus.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Given the abundant and explicit proclamation that doubles as its title, Blessed Be Your Name glorifies God throughout each line, calling us to praise God in all circumstances.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Despite its release over a decade and a half ago, Redman’s Blessed Be Your Name continues to wow us.  BIblically sound, a simple message has something to offer all walks of human existence, communicating praise towards God through abundance, but especially during trying times.  This brings glory to God, who is worthy of our adoration and praise.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Blessed Be Your Name (listen to the song)

Artist: Matt Redman

Album: Where Angels Fear To Tread

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2002

Duration: 5:06

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at CapitolCMGPublishing.com excluding Europe which is adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family. Songs@integritymusic.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.  I moved my commentary to a side note and slightly updated Conclusion.