Matt Redman - Benediction Lyrics
Lyrics
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord smile on you,
shine His light upon you.
May the Lord lift you,
turn His face towards you.
Give you His peace,
give you His peace.
May the Lord bless us and keep us.
May the Lord smile on us,
shine His light upon us.
May the Lord lift us,
turn His face towards us.
Give us His peace,
give us His peace.
Blessed we came to this place today
and blessed now we will go.
In the name of the Father,
the Spirit and the Son.
Blessed we came to this place today
and blessed now we will go.
In the name of the Father,
the Spirit and the Son.
Blessed we came to this place today
and blessed now we will go.
In the name of the Father,
the Spirit and the Son.
May the Lord bless us and keep us.
May the Lord smile on us,
shine His light upon us.
May the Lord lift us,
turn His face towards us.
Give us His peace,
give us His peace.
Go now in peace,
go now in peace.
Go now in peace.
And the blessing of our God,
and the blessing of our God.
Go now in peace
and the blessing of our God.
Video
Matt Redman - Benediction (Lyrics And Chords)
Meaning & Inspiration
Matt Redman's "Benediction," released as part of the album *Your Grace Finds Me* in early 2013, is a powerful and profoundly moving piece that serves as a musical embodiment of divine favor and peace. At its core, the song draws directly from the ancient priestly blessing found in the Book of Numbers 6:24-26, famously known as the Aaronic Blessing. This lyrical foundation immediately establishes the song's intention: to offer a solemn and hopeful invocation of God's presence and grace upon the listener. The repetition of phrases like "May the Lord bless you and keep you" and "May the Lord smile on you, shine His light upon you" isn't merely for emphasis; it mirrors the cadences of traditional worship and prayer, creating an atmosphere of serene contemplation. The shift from addressing an individual ("you") to a collective ("us") in the second verse broadens the scope of this benediction, extending God's embrace to the entire community gathered. This inclusive spirit resonates with the communal aspect of faith, reminding us that we are blessed not just individually, but together as the body of Christ.
The song's meaning is deeply rooted in the Old Testament concept of blessing, which signifies not just good fortune, but a state of divine approval and protection. The act of God turning His face towards us, as mentioned in the lyrics, is a profound image of favor and intimacy, echoing passages like Psalm 4:6 which speaks of lifting the light of God's countenance upon us. The ultimate gift offered is "His peace," a peace that transcends worldly understanding, as Christ Himself promised in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This is the enduring peace the song invokes, a tranquil assurance that calms the soul amidst life's storms.
The latter half of "Benediction" transitions into a declaration of arrived blessing and the commission to depart in peace, anchored by the powerful invocation of the Trinity: "In the name of the Father, the Spirit and the Son." This tripartite declaration firmly places the blessing within the Christian understanding of God, affirming His presence in every aspect of our existence. The repeated phrase "Blessed we came to this place today and blessed now we will go" is a testament to the transformative power of encountering God. It signifies that the spiritual nourishment received during worship is not meant to be left behind, but carried forward into the world. The concluding lines, "Go now in peace. And the blessing of our God," serve as a final, resounding affirmation, sending the listener out with the tangible assurance of God's presence and favor accompanying them. This song is not just a melody; it is a profound theological statement, a prayer set to music, designed to leave the listener steeped in the enduring grace and peace of the Almighty.