Maranatha! Music began as a non-profit outreach of Calvary Chapel in 1971. … Read Full Bio ↴Maranatha! Music began as a non-profit outreach of Calvary Chapel in 1971. The Jesus People of the late 1960s and early 1970s began to write new hymns and worship songs with a folk-rock style. Maranatha! Music was founded at this time in order to publish and promote this new type of Christian music. Founder Chuck Smith sold the label to his nephew Chuck Fromm. The label is currently distributed by Warner Music Entertainment's Word Music.

Trading My Sorrows
Maranatha! Praise Band Lyrics

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I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning

I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm trading my sorrows
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sorrows

I'm trading my shame
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord

Overall Meaning

"Trading My Sorrows" is a song by Maranatha! Praise Band that talks about the concept of exchanging our sorrows, shame, sickness, and pain for the joy of the Lord. The lyrics repeatedly express the singer's decision to trade every negative thing in their life for the joy of the Lord. The song goes on to say that despite being pressed or persecuted, they will not be abandoned or destroyed since the joy of the Lord will give them strength. The chorus is simply an affirmation of the singer's affirmation to trade their sorrows and shame.

The verses, however, describe the benefits of making this exchange. The singer is no longer crushed or destroyed, and there is a promise that endures beyond any curse they may have been experiencing. The verse also reminds the listener that although sorrow comes only for a night, joy follows in the morning. Therefore, through the lyrics' powerful words, the song encourages people to surrender every negative emotion and pain to the Lord in exchange for His joy.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm trading my sorrows
I'm giving away all my grief and sadness

I'm trading my shame
I'm exchanging all my guilt and embarrassment

I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord
I'm surrendering all my sorrows and shame to attain the happiness of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm giving away all my illnesses

I'm trading my pain
I'm surrendering all my misery and suffering

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Affirming my commitment to the Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen
I agree wholeheartedly with the lord

I'm pressed but not crushed
I'm facing hardships but remain unbroken

Persecuted not abandoned
I'm being mistreated but not left alone

Struck down but not destroyed
I'm struck down but not destroyed by it

I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
I am fortunate, despite the curse, as the lord's vow shall last