Matt Redman – Mercy

English songwriter Matt Redman began his career at the age of 19.  He released seventeen albums (four are live) and won two Grammy’s, ten Dove’s, one Cranmer Award for his work.  His music has been covered by several other artists, including Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, Kutless, and Hillsong.

Redman is also an author, releasing eight books:

• The Unquenchable Worshipper (2001)
• Where Angels Fear to Tread (2002)
• The Heart of Worship Files (2003)
• Facedown (2004)
• Inside Out Worship (2005)
• Blessed Be Your Name (with Beth Redman) (2005)
• Mirror Ball (2011)
• 10,000 Reasons: Stories of Faith, Hope, and Thankfulness Inspired by the Worship Anthem (2017) (co-authored with Craig Borlase)

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?

Redman essentially communicates the Gospel, that he deserves eternal separation from God.  He was rescued by Jesus, who paid Redman’s sin-debt and took the Father’s wrath for him.  Redman responds with eternal praise, bowing his knee to the “foot of the cross”, which represents Jesus.

Score: 10/10

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

All of it agrees with Scripture.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

I will kneel in the dust
At the foot of the cross
Where mercy paid for me
Where the wrath I deserve
It is gone, it has passed
Your blood has hidden me

Redman acknowledges that he deserves God’s justice, not mercy (Romans 6:23, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 20:6, Revelation 20:14-15, and Revelation 21:8).  It is through the cross that Redman’s error was paid (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9), shielded from God’s wrath upon him.

Redman responds by prostrating himself to Jesus using a common “foot of the cross” expression that, though is not in Scripture and for some, seems idolatrous, helps Redman reorient his focus off himself and onto Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

[Chorus]

Mercy, mercy
As endless as the sea

As stated in Psalm 23:6 and implied post-death.

I’ll sing Your hallelujah
For all eternity

Redman praises God forever (Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 30:12, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 86:12, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 115:18, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 145:21, and Revelation 5:9-13).

[Verse 2]

We will lift up the cup
And the bread we will break
Remembering Your love

These are the elements of communion: Christ’s body broken for us represented by bread, His blood shed for us represented by wine, and Jesus’ command to do these things in remembrance of Him (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

We were fallen from grace
But You took all our shame
And nailed it to a cross

See commentary on Verse 1.  These last two lines are an explicit reference to Colossians 2:13-14.

[Bridge]

May I never lose the wonder
Oh, the wonder of Your mercy
May I sing Your hallelujah
Hallelujah, Amen

Redman’s prayer that he will not fall away from remembering what Jesus did for Him.  It is his way of fixing his eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

The word ‘Hallelujah” is a compound Hebrew phrase, with “hallelu” meaning “a joyous praise in song” and “jah” or “yah”, which refers to the Tetragrammaton YHWH. Put together, Redman is singing “I joyfully praise God in song” when he uses this word.  Amen means “so be it”.

May I never lose the wonder
Oh, the wonder of Your mercy
May I sing Your hallelujah
Hallelujah, Amen
May I never lose the wonder
Oh, the wonder of Your mercy
May I sing Your hallelujah
Hallelujah, Amen
Oh, may I never lose the wonder
Oh, the wonder of Your mercy
May I sing Your hallelujah
Hallelujah, Amen

Repeats lines 1-4 times three.

[Outro]

I will kneel in the dust
At the foot of the cross
Where mercy paid for me

Repeats Verse 1, lines 1-3.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Only unbelievers who have been hiding under a rock will not comprehend that the cross represents Christianity.  Though Christians will easily understand Redman’s message, it could be made clearer to unbelievers to state that Jesus paid for our lawbreaking instead of “mercy”.  Aside from that, they should come to the same conclusions as me.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God in that it presents the Gospel and explicitly states we don’t deserve God’s grace.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Matt Redman’s Mercy is a good song.  It presents Redman as an undeserving sinner whose error was paid for on the cross, worshipping God in response.  This brings God glory.  Those who do not yet believe in Jesus will no doubt interpret this song as Christian, even if they don’t fully comprehend the Gospel message presented to them.

I highly recommend this for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: Mercy (Live) (listen to the song)

Artist: Matt Redman

Album: Your Grace Finds Me (Live)

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2014

Duration: 5:34

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*Copyright © 2013 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) / Atlas Mountain Songs (BMI) worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP) sixsteps Music (ASCAP) Said And Done Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.