Travis Cottrell – The Reason

Travis Cottrell is an American artist.  He started his public debut as a music songwriter by penning Larnelle Harris’ song It’s Only Thunder in 1992.  Though he continues to write for other artists such as Amy Grant, Alan Jackson, and Garth Brooks, he also released several solo albums including:

• The Deep (2001)
• Unashamed Love (2003)
• Alive Forever (2005)
• Found (2006)
• Ring the Bells (2008)
• Jesus Saves Live (2010)
• When the Stars Burn Down (2011)
• I’m Living Proof (2014)
• All That Is Within Me (2016)
• The Reason (2018)

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Travis-cottrell-the-reason-lyrics.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

Cottrell humbly and sacrificially praises Jesus in song because He:

• Brings life, hope, and peace
• Is worthy of said praise
• Defeated lawbreaking and with it death
• Gives undeserved favor

Also, His name is above all names.

Score: 10/10

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

The entire song aligns with God’s inspired Word.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-4: Jesus is the source of Cottrell’s song.  The Father made His name above others (Philippians 2:9).  He is also the Life inside him (John 14:6).

[Verse 2]

Lines 1 and 2: He is also the source of hope (Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 5:1-8, Romans 8:24-39, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, and 1 Peter 1:3-6) and peace (Matthew 11:28-30, John 14:27, John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 3:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, and James 3:17).

Line 3: As stated in 1 Chronicles 16:25, 2 Samuel 22:4, Psalm 96:4-5, Psalm 145:3, and Revelation 4:11.

Line 4: Repeats Verse 1, line 4.

[Chorus]

Lines 1-8: An elongated form of surrender to God’s ways (Psalm 43:5, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6).

Lines 9 and 10: Repeats lines 7 and 8.

[Verse 3]

Line 1: As accomplished through His death (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 9:15-26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9) and resurrection (Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Line 2: As stated in Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11.

Line 3: See commentary on Chorus, lines 1-8.

Line 4: Repeats Verse 1, line 4.

[Bridge]

Line 1: 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, we are singing “we joyfully praise God in song” when we use this word.

Lines 2 and 3: Repeats line 1.

Lines 4 and 5: Repeats Chorus, lines 7 and 8.

[Verse 4]

Lines 1-4: Cottrell’s praise goes on 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).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The word “Jesus” is a dead giveaway that this song is Christian.  They will conclude that Cottrell worships Him for the kindness that He showed him, though not the veracity of Cottrell’s trajectory from death to life.  This is propagated by the word “sin”, which to them will likely mean “error” instead of “lawbreaking”.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies Jesus as the One who brought life from death, hope from despair, and favor from wickedness.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Travis Cottrell’s The Reason is a garden variety praise song.  We worship Him because He is the source of life, hope, and tranquility that we’ve all wanted.  His loving sacrifice and subsequent resurrection are implied in his victory over sin.  These points glorify Him.  Aside from the definition of “sin”, unbelievers should easily interpret it.

This song is suitable for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: The Reason (listen to the song)

Artist: Travis Cottrell

Album: The Reason

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 4:37

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