Matt Redman - The Prayer of The Saints Lyrics
Lyrics
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?
(Repeat)
Let these prayers of the saints
Be sweet smelling incense,
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?
(Repeat)
Let these songs of the saints
Be sweet smelling incense,
Let these songs of the saints
Be sweet smelling incense to Your heart.
Video
The Prayers of the Saints (with lyrics) - Matt Redman
Meaning & Inspiration
Matt Redman's "The Prayer of The Saints," released on September 6, 2020, delves into a profound reflection on the nature of worship and prayer as offerings to God, drawing heavily from biblical imagery. The core of the song contemplates whether the prayers and songs of believers ascend to God like "sweet smelling incense," a metaphor powerfully echoed throughout Scripture. This imagery finds its most direct parallels in the Old Testament, particularly in the sacrificial system where incense was burned to create a pleasing aroma before God, symbolizing the acceptance of offerings and the communication between humanity and the divine. For instance, Psalm 141:2 states, "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice," directly linking prayer and worship to this fragrant offering. Similarly, Revelation 5:8 describes the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders falling down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are "the prayers of the saints," solidifying this connection in both Old and New Testament contexts. The song's lyrical structure, a series of questions followed by affirmations and desires, beautifully captures the journey of faith. It begins with an inquiry, a humble questioning of the efficacy and acceptance of our devotional expressions, before transitioning into a hopeful declaration and a heartfelt plea: "Let these prayers of the saints be sweet smelling incense to Your heart." This reflects a deep longing for our spiritual offerings to be not just heard, but truly welcomed and cherished by God, resonating with the promise in Proverbs 15:8, "The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayers of the upright please him." Redman’s focus is less on the musical arrangement and more on the theological weight of the message. The repetition of the phrase "to Your heart" emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of God's reception of our worship. It's not merely a ritualistic act, but an expression intended to connect with God's very being, appealing to His desire for genuine relationship. The song serves as an encouragement to believers, reminding them that their faithful prayers and songs, offered with sincere hearts, are not insignificant but are elevated by God’s grace to a position of beauty and favor, much like the fragrant smoke rising to heaven. It’s a call to worship with the understanding that our devotion, empowered by faith, is a precious offering in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.