A Lent Devotion for Friday, March 7, 2025

Written for the Glory of God by Mike Webb

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

-Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul

One of my favorite contemporary Christian songs is "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman. I love the cadence, the words, and--for lack of better terms--the "soulfulness" of the song. "10,000 Reasons" is a song based on Psalm 103. The first line "Bless the Lord, oh my soul, Oh my soul, worship His holy name," is often sung a cappella with the music and vocals added as it continues--quite the moving opening to a song.

In addition to Mr. Redman's version, there are a lot of great covers of this song that can be found on the internet. We have even sung this in the contemporary worship service at times.

I find myself humming this tune in times of stress, when I need to feel calm, and when I need to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is my own special call to worship and my way to feel closer to the Lord. It directs me to fill my soul with the love of God and to praise him with all I have. It even goes on to say later in the song to do this until my dying day.

To be filled with love for God from the time I rise in the morning, and to continue to be filled with that love, no matter what happens, can be hard. Stuff happens...things go awry...things get hard...but "10,000 Reasons" helps me focus on loving God--because I know he loves me.

"Bless the Lord, oh my soul, Oh my soul, worship His holy name"

Father God, let me be filled with your love so I can show that love to others. Amen

"10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman and Steve Angrisano

Bless the Lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up

It's a new day dawning

It's time to sing your song again

Whatever may pass

And whatever lies before me

Let me be singing

When the evening comes

You're rich in love

And You're slow to anger

Your name is great

And Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness

I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons

For my heart to find

And on that day

When my strength is failing

The end draws near

And my time has come

Still my soul will

Sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years

And then forevermore

Bless the Lord oh my soul

Oh my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

Oh my soul

I'll worship Your holy name