Matt Maher: The Contemporary Hymnist

Posted on Friday, April 28, 2023 by Katie Clinebell

Artist Spotlight - Matt Maher

Since the early 2000’s Matt Maher has been giving us fresh takes on classic worship concepts. Some of Maher’s songs have become so classic that they have been sung in myriad church services across the world. But what took place to lead this Canada-born singer-songwriter to where he is today? Today, we are taking a look through Maher’s personal story and find out everything it took to create the Matt Maher we know and love.

Listen to Matt Maher’s “In The Room”

RELATED CONTENT: Matt Maher and Chris Brown Declare Desire to Witness a Miracle With "In The Room"

After moving from Canada to the drastically different climates of Arizona, Matt Maher would soon begin serving as youth pastor and music director at his local church. Maher fostered a working relationship with songwriter Tom Booth, and would release his first album in 2001, titled , “The End and the Beginning”. Maher released two more albums in 2003 and 2006 before signing on with EMI. This deal would grow Maher’s exposure and slowly grow his popularity until one of his most famous outings would emerge.

With 2013’s “All the People Said Amen”, which included one of Maher’s most notable songs, “Lord, I Need You,” he would truly become a household name. In 2015, he would release his most successful album yet with “Saints & Sinners,” featuring songs like “Because He Lives (Amen)”. This album earned the artist four Grammy nominations as well as a Songwriter of the Year Award at the Dove Awards.

Listen to Matt Maher's "Lord I Need You"

RELATED CONTENT: Faith Behind The Song: "In The Room" Matt Maher

Most recently, Maher’s 2022 album, “The Stories I Tell Myself” would feature songs such as “The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours)” and “In The Room”. Maher’s “The Stories I Tell Myself” would also see him collaborating with artists like Lizzie Morgan, Nate Moore, and Ellie Holcomb. This artist has been bringing us new, fresh sounds for years, and we are always pleased to hear new songs from the mind and voice of this worship legend.

Throughout his many years bringing us iconic and fresh worship songs, this artist has always leaned into God’s grace and mercy. Maher explains his view of God’s mercy by saying:

 “God gives us an ocean of mercy and we tend to act like it’s a cup… But that size mercy would be exhausted rather quickly, on yourself and on others. Mercy is so needed.."

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Artist SpotlightMatt MaherBehind the Music

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