Christian Song Anniversary: “Blessed Be Your Name”—2002

Matt Redman in Germany, 2010. Photo by Labjunkie.

What worships songs does your church sing the Sunday after a severe natural disaster or a numbing act of violence? Usually, ones that speak of trusting God. But how many songs acknowledge life at its worst while professing reliance on God?

“Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt and Beth Redman does. [Full lyrics]

When Matt and Beth married, they already knew life could be difficult. By the end of 2002, they’d watched the devastation of September  11, 2001, and they’d read the book of Job. The song that flowed from them afterward is as a statement of true faith.

Pain and Suffering

Christians aren’t exempt from suffering. The bridge of the song emphasizes that truth with words from the mouth of Job. Following his successive loss of livestock, servants, and children, Job didn’t curse God. He fell to the ground and worshiped the giver and taker of life.

“And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21, NKJV).

Of course, we prefer the song’s celebration of God’s blessings. The phrases, “Where Your streams of abundance flow” and “When the sun’s shining down on me” clearly depict God’s best for His followers. We welcome “Every blessing You pour out.”

But our faith doesn’t prevent us from admitting that we live through other aspects of life. We can all relate to “When I’m found in the desert place,” and “On the road marked with suffering.”

The song’s overall tone is one only God’s followers can understand: that we can trust Him no matter what happens. The chorus repeatedly ascribes blessings to God’s name, concluding with, “Blessed be Your glorious name.”

Since 2002

“Blessed Be Your Name” caught on quickly. Worship leaders and worshipers alike embraced the song’s honesty. It remains relevant year after year as national tragedies outdo previous ones and as Christians continue to know “the desert place” as well as “streams of abundance.”

In 2005, “Blessed Be Your Name” was named the Dove Award winner for Worship Song of the Year. From then to now, Matt Redman has received 11 additional Dove Awards and two Grammys.

Worship songs wax and wane in popularity. However, 15 years after it was written, “Blessed Be Your Name” is still listed among the top 20 songs churches report singing most often, according to CCLI.

The Road Ahead:

1. When facing your life’s worst situations, do you question God? Or do you rest in faith that the One who knows every minute of the future still loves you and has everything under control? The next time the sun doesn’t seem to be shining down on you, sing or pray your way through the song’s lyrics.
2. God doesn’t only give. He also takes. He takes our confessed sin, surrendered worries, fears, pride, and habits. He wants to remove from our lives anything we substitute for Him. What’s in your life right now that you should want God to take in exchange for the blessing He’d like to replace it with?

Further Fuel: Matthew 5:45; II Corinthians 12:9; Matthew 16:24-15.

 Hear Matt sing “Blessed Be Your Name” on YouTube.