He has had several Christian radio hits such as "Your Grace is Enough", from his album "Empty & Beautiful," as well as the title track from his album "Alive Again". His songs "Love Has Come" and "Just Like You" were recorded by Kathy Troccoli for her album The Heart of Me and "Your Grace is Enough" was recorded by Chris Tomlin for his album Arriving.
While with Essential Records, he released Alive Again (2009), The Love in Between (2011), All the People Said Amen (2013) and Saint and Sinners (2015). His most recent single, "Because He Lives (Amen)" was inspired by Bill Gaither's hymn "Because He Lives".
Discography:
The End and the Beginning (2001) featuring Love Has Come, Just Like You, Lamb of God, and The End and the Beginning.
Welcome to Life (2003) featuring Welcome to Life, Your Grace is Enough, 40 Days, and I Love You Lord
Overflow (2006) featuring Resurrection Day, For Your Glory, Canticle of Zechariah, and Everything You've Done
Empty and Beautiful (2008) featuring Your Grace is Enough, Look Like a Fool, Lay it Down, and Empty and Beautiful
Alive Again (2009) featuring Alive Again, Letting Go, and Christ is Risen
The Love in Between (2011) featuring Turn Around, Heaven Help me, and On My Way
All the People Said Amen (2013) featuring All the People Said Amen, Lord I Need You, and Hold Us Together
Saints and Sinners (2015) featuring Because He Lives (Amen), Sons and Daughters and Deliverer
40 Days
Matt Maher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
40 days to grow stronger as faith breaks open the gates of hell.
The Jubilee is over, but grace is far from gone
In the hearts of the faithful, broken on the wheels of love.
In the desert of temptation, lies the storm of true conversion, where springs of living water drown and refresh you And as the Jordan pours out change, your true self is all that remains, where springs of living water bind and break you.
40 days to discover as passion calls us to new life
The Jubilee is over but mercy is far from gone
In the arms of the Father as the wayward child comes home.
In the desert of temptation, lies the storm of true conversion, where springs of living water drown and refresh you And as the Jordan pours out change, your true self is all that remains, where springs of living water bind and break you.
The Jubilee is over but mercy is far from gone.
Matt Maher's song "40 Days" narrates the importance of the 40-day season of Lent in the Christian faith. The song emphasizes the significance of the number 40, which symbolizes a time of transition, purification, and preparation in the Bible. The first two lines of the song, "40 days to wander, 40 days to die to self," remind us that the season of Lent is a time of spiritual reflection, repentance, and self-denial. Christians are called to detach themselves from worldly things and focus on their relationship with God. The next line, "40 days to grow stronger as faith breaks open the gates of hell," encourages us that during this time of spiritual discipline, we gain more profound faith, which will help us overcome temptations and difficulties in life.
The chorus of the song repeats the message of the lyrics: In the desert of temptation, lies the storm of true conversion, where springs of living water drown and refresh you. The phrase "desert of temptation" refers to the experience of Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days, where he was tempted by the devil. The desert is often used as a metaphor for spiritual emptiness, doubt, and uncertainty. But in the midst of this emptiness, the Christian can discover a vibrant and life-giving relationship with God. The line "where springs of living water drown and refresh you" is a reference to Jesus' words in John 4:14, where He tells the Samaritan woman, "But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The image of living water reinforces the idea that the spiritual discipline of Lent can be life-giving and rejuvenating.
The last verse of the song highlights how Lent is a time to remember the Paschal sacrifice and discover new life through Christ's resurrection. The phrase "In the arms of the Father as the wayward child comes home" is a reference to the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), where a son who has wasted his inheritance returns home to his father, who joyfully embraces him. This parable portrays the image of God's mercy and forgiveness, which is available to anyone who repents and turns towards Him.
Line by Line Meaning
40 days to wander, 40 days to die to self
This song is about the 40 days of Lent, during which we are challenged to step out of our comfort zones and let go of our egos.
40 days to grow stronger as faith breaks open the gates of hell
During Lent, we can become stronger and more resilient by allowing our faith to help us overcome the obstacles in our lives.
The Jubilee is over, but grace is far from gone
Even though the special celebration has ended, God's grace is always available to us.
In the hearts of the faithful, broken on the wheels of love
By embracing our brokenness and being willing to love even when it's difficult, we can experience the power of God's love in our lives.
In the desert of temptation, lies the storm of true conversion, where springs of living water drown and refresh you
The desert, a metaphor for the struggles and challenges of life, can actually be a place of transformation and renewal, where God's love can refresh us like living water.
And as the Jordan pours out change, your true self is all that remains, where springs of living water bind and break you
As we undergo change and growth, our true selves are revealed, pouring out like the Jordan River. God's love can both bind us together and break us free from the things that hold us back.
40 days to remember the Paschal sacrifice
Lent is also a time to reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross.
40 days to discover as passion calls us to new life
As we reflect on Jesus' sacrifice, we may also become inspired to live our lives with more passion and purpose.
In the arms of the Father as the wayward child comes home
Through Jesus' sacrifice, we can find forgiveness and reconciliation with God, like a wayward child returning home to a loving parent.
Contributed by Audrey O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@debella52
Forty days to wander
Forty days to die to self
Forty days to grow stronger
As faith breaks open, the gates of hell
The jubilee is over
But grace is far from gone
In the hearts of the Faithful
Broken on the wheels of love
'Cause in the desert of temptation
Lies the storm of true conversion
Where springs of living water drown and refresh you
And as the Jordan pours out change
Your true self is all that remains
Where springs of living water bind and break you
Bind and break you
Forty days to remember
The Paschal sacrifice
Forty days to discover
His passion calls us to new life
The jubilee is over
But mercy's far from gone
In the arms of the Father
As the wayward child comes home
'Cause in the desert of temptation
Lies the storm of true conversion
Where springs of living water drown and refresh you
And as the Jordan pours out change
Your true self is all that remains
Where springs of living water bind and break you (bind and break you)
Bind and break you (bind and break you)
Bind and break you (bind and break you)
Bind and break you (bind and break you)
@adorima
Matt Maher has a heavy folk-blues influence, so I'm not sure there's a ton out there who have a similar sound, but you can try this list.
Sarah Hart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBecGxKmEKM I like to think she's actually southern because of her country-folk style and gentle-but-still-ironic lyrics
Tabitha Lemaire (similar to some 90's angry girl-with-a guitar-type-sound, except she's yearning, not angry) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js6EQVE_nL8
Matt Mangione and the Union
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugCokbSb9XM
Audrey Asaad favors comforting, yet haunting melodies, but this is one of her lullabies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Yo_5KRQtI
Also Check out this list of 11 Catholic Artists That will Rock your Playlist even when You're Not at Church.
https://catholic-link.org/11-catholic-musicians-so-good-youll-want-to-listen-to-them-even-when-youre-not-at-church/
@debella52
Forty days to wander
Forty days to die to self
Forty days to grow stronger
As faith breaks open, the gates of hell
The jubilee is over
But grace is far from gone
In the hearts of the Faithful
Broken on the wheels of love
'Cause in the desert of temptation
Lies the storm of true conversion
Where springs of living water drown and refresh you
And as the Jordan pours out change
Your true self is all that remains
Where springs of living water bind and break you
Bind and break you
Forty days to remember
The Paschal sacrifice
Forty days to discover
His passion calls us to new life
The jubilee is over
But mercy's far from gone
In the arms of the Father
As the wayward child comes home
'Cause in the desert of temptation
Lies the storm of true conversion
Where springs of living water drown and refresh you
And as the Jordan pours out change
Your true self is all that remains
Where springs of living water bind and break you (bind and break you)
Bind and break you (bind and break you)
Bind and break you (bind and break you)
Bind and break you (bind and break you)
@debella52
Forty days to wander
Forty days to die to self
Forty days to grow stronger
As faith breaks open, the gates of hell
The jubilee is over
But grace is far from gone
In the hearts of the Faithful
Broken on the wheels of love
'Cause in the desert of temptation
Lies the storm of true conversion
Where springs of living water drown and refresh you
And as the Jordan pours out change
Your true self is all that remains
Where springs of living water bind and break you
Bind and break you
Forty days to remember
The Paschal sacrifice
Forty days to discover
His passion calls us to new life
The jubilee is over
But mercy's far from gone
In the arms of the Father
As the wayward child comes home
'Cause in the desert of temptation
Lies the storm of true conversion
Where springs of living water drown and refresh you
And as the Jordan pours out change
Your true self is all that remains
Where springs of living water bind and break you (bind and break you)
Bind and break you (bind and break you)
Bind and break you (bind and break you)
Bind and break you (bind and break you)
@futurejesuit310
This is a great video. The artwork really complements the song.
@kercaduc
Hi, Matt! If you don't mind, I will like to use your song translated in spanish, in our music ministry in a childrens' mass in Puerto Rico. If you can publish the lyrics, it will be very helpful for us! Great song! Keep on with the good work!
@adynnar
This is a great song! Our choir sang it today for Ash Wednesday. It's our favorite song. :) Gid bless us all.
@oliverknuth3808
Wow! I love the video and the artwork. Thanks for making it and sharing it. You did an amazing job telling the story of 40 days in the wilderness.
@gonzalorodriguez2029
ésto nunca pasará de moda
@rrtallon
Outstanding work!!! Love the art work, very inspired. Thank you.
@gailwedgeworth
I was having a hard day... struggling with some things, and I tripped over this. Well, God works in mysterious ways. Thanks. :)
@samvikers7837
IKR
@twpbr549
Great artwork. It realy adds to tne message!