Chris Tomlin - Thank You Lord Lyrics
Lyrics
Thank You Lord for the small things
Like me and her on the porch swing
For summer nights and fireflies
And the sound of my old sixstring
Blessings on blessings on blessings on blessings
If I still got breath in these lungs
And that's all I need to get down on my knees
And be thankful for all that He's done
For my mama for my friends
For Your love that never ends
For the songs that make us dance
On this ole dirt floor
For my babies for my girl
For the way they changed my world
Waking up today
I just gotta say
Thank You Lord
I just wanna say
Thank You Lord
Thank You Lord for the hard times
For lighting the way in the dark times
For pulling me in forgiving again
The times that I took it too far
God I thank You for keeping me humble
For picking me up when I stumble
And although I change, You stay the same
And I don’t say thank You enough
For my mama for my friends
For Your love that never ends
For the songs that make us dance
On this ole dirt floor
For my babies for my girl
For the way they changed my world
Waking up today
I just gotta say
Thank You Lord
I just wanna say
Thank You Lord
Praise up
Eyes closed
One thing I know
I just wanna thank You Lord, thank You Lord
Praise up
Eyes closed
One thing I know
I just wanna thank You Lord, thank You Lord
For my mama for my friends
For Your love that never ends
For the songs that make us dance
On this ole dirt floor
For my babies for my girl
For the way they changed my world
Waking up today
I just gotta say
Thank You Lord
Praise up
Eyes closed
One thing I know
I just wanna thank You Lord, thank You Lord
Praise up
Eyes closed
One thing I know
I just wanna say
Thank You Lord
Video
Thank You Lord (ft. Thomas Rhett & Florida Georgia Line)
Meaning & Inspiration
Chris Tomlin's "Thank You Lord," released as part of the 2020 album *Chris Tomlin & Friends*, is a profound expression of gratitude that resonates deeply with its listeners. The song’s narrative is rooted in acknowledging God's pervasive presence and goodness, not only in the grand gestures but, perhaps more poignantly, in the quiet, everyday blessings. Tomlin crafts a message that reminds us to pause amidst life's hustle and find divinity in the seemingly ordinary. He begins by enumerating simple joys: shared moments with loved ones on a porch swing, the ephemeral beauty of fireflies on a summer night, and the comforting strum of a beloved guitar. These are not trivialities but rather tangible representations of God's abundant provision, echoing the Psalmist’s declaration in Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." The repetition of "Blessings on blessings" emphasizes the overwhelming, continuous nature of God’s favor, a concept that finds scriptural parallel in Ephesians 1:3, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." The core of this acknowledgment lies in the simple act of breathing, a gift in itself, as Tomlin points out, that compels him to kneel in thankfulness. This humility in recognizing our dependence on God for the very breath we take is a foundational principle of faith, as articulated in 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, which speaks of God’s sovereign power and the source of all riches and honor.
The second verse expands this gratitude to encompass fundamental relationships and experiences. The mention of "mama" and "friends" highlights the importance of human connection, relationships that God orchestrates and sustains. The unwavering "love that never ends" is a direct nod to God's unfailing covenant love, a theme woven throughout Scripture, particularly in Jeremiah 31:3, where God declares, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued this faithfulness to you." The joy found in music that moves us to dance, even on a humble "dirt floor," speaks to the spiritual uplift and communal celebration that faith inspires. The profound impact of children, the "babies" and "girl" who transform a world, reflects the preciousness of family and the way these relationships mirror God’s nurturing care. The recurring refrain, "Waking up today, I just gotta say, Thank You Lord," serves as a powerful reminder of the daily renewal of our commitment to thankfulness, a practice encouraged in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Crucially, "Thank You Lord" does not shy away from acknowledging the presence of hardship. Tomlin bravely includes the "hard times" as a source of thankfulness, recognizing God's light in the darkness. This perspective aligns with the biblical understanding that trials can refine faith and draw us closer to God, as James 1:2-4 states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." The act of God "pulling me in" and "forgiving again" speaks directly to the redemptive power of Christ’s sacrifice and the ongoing grace offered to believers. This forgiveness for times when one "took it too far" is a testament to God's boundless mercy, echoing Psalm 103:8: "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love." The humility fostered by God's intervention when one "stumbles" is a key aspect of spiritual growth, and Tomlin’s acknowledgment that even as he changes, God remains constant ("although I change, You stay the same") points to the immutable character of God, as described in Malachi 3:6, "For I am the Lord, I do not change." The admission, "And I don’t say thank You enough," is a relatable confession that underscores the ongoing need to cultivate a more profound and consistent spirit of gratitude. The repeated bridge, "Praise up, Eyes closed, One thing I know, I just wanna thank You Lord," solidifies the song's central theme: a simple, unwavering devotion to thanking God for everything.