He has since launched another album, Beautiful News, and continues to write many more popular songs such as You Never Let Go and Shine.
Songfacts states that Redman's eighth album 10,000 Reasons, was co-written with several of his friends. He then recorded the songs live in Atlanta, leading worship for over 1,000 worship leaders during LIFT: A Worship Leader Collective, put on by Passion City Church and sixstepsrecords on February 18 and 19, 2011. It sold nearly 7,000 units its first week in the US, almost doubling Redman's previous album release We Shall Not Be Shaken. The LP entered the Billboard 200 at #66, his biggest debut to date.
The Prayers of the Saints
Matt Redman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are the prayers of the saints like sweet smelling incense
To Your heart, to Your heart?
Are the prayers of the saints like sweet smelling incense,
Are the prayers of the saints like sweet smelling incense
To Your heart, to Your heart?
Let these prayers of the saints be sweet smelling incense
To Your heart
Are the songs of the saints like sweet smelling incense,
Are the songs of the saints like sweet smelling incense
To Your heart, to Your heart?
Are the songs of the saints like sweet smelling incense,
Are the songs of the saints like sweet smelling incense
To Your heart, to Your heart?
Let these songs of the saints be sweet smelling incense,
Let these songs of the saints be sweet smelling incense
To Your heart.
The lyrics to Matt Redman's song "The Prayers of the Saints" speak to the idea that the prayers and songs of believers are like sweet-smelling incense to God's heart. In the Bible, incense is often used figuratively to represent prayers ascending to God. The first two stanzas repeat the question, "Are the prayers/songs of the saints like sweet-smelling incense to your heart?" The second pair of stanzas urge the listener to let their prayers and songs be sweet-smelling incense to God.
The repetition of the question in the first two stanzas creates a sense of introspection and contemplation. It's as if the listener is being prompted to examine the nature of their prayers and whether they are indeed sweet-smelling incense to God. The final stanzas provide a call to action, emphasizing that we have the ability to make our prayers and songs sweet-smelling offerings to God.
Overall, "The Prayers of the Saints" is a beautiful meditation on the power of prayer and worship in the life of a believer. It reminds us that these acts of devotion are not just empty rituals but have the potential to be deeply meaningful and transformative.
Line by Line Meaning
Are the prayers of the saints like sweet smelling incense,
Are the heartfelt prayers of Your people, those who are set apart, like fragrant smoke that rises up and is pleasing to You?
To Your heart, to Your heart?
Do these prayers reach the depths of Your heart, the throne of grace, where You are seated in majesty?
Let these prayers of the saints be sweet smelling incense,
May the prayers of Your holy ones rise up before You like sweet, captivating aroma that lingers and satisfies.
Are the songs of the saints like sweet smelling incense,
Do the melodies of Your worshippers, Your saints, have the power to fill the air with a pleasing fragrance?
To Your heart, to Your heart?
Do these songs of praise immerse Your heart, anoint it with deep reverence and delight?
Let these songs of the saints be sweet smelling incense,
Let every tune, note, and voice of Your devoted ones rise up before You, equipped with the power to move Your heart.
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.