Sunday Singables: "Not In Me"

I'm back from the WorshipGod Conference in Louisville. Let me tell you, it was amazing. I feel like I have a dozen things I need to do NOW, but realistically I hope to get to them over the next year or so. Anyway, I'll be posting a lot about what I learned from there, as well as sharing some incredible songs, starting with this one for today:

"Not In Me" by Eric Schumacher & David Ward, released on Songs for the Book of Luke from The Gospel Coalition (2013)


This song is one of many that were written by artists around the country for this past years' Gospel Coalition conference. All the songs are based on passages from the book of Luke. This particular one is a song of confession, picturing what a repentant Pharisee might have prayed had he the heart to come to the Lord.

Why I recommend this song for worship-

 In our church we take a time each Sunday for confession. Traditionally this is in the form of a prayer. I believe another effective way to confess our sin is in music. This follows Colossians 3:16's plea to teach one another in song, plus it is a poetic and soulful way to corporately and individually speak our confession to the Lord. I know many times I approach a Sunday in need of some time to repent and refocus on God's grace. This song provides an excellent opportunity to do that.

As you listen to this song, look over these words, feel their conviction, and rejoice in God's gracious forgiveness.

Not In Me
1. No list of sins I have have not done, no list of virtues I pursue,
No list of those I am not like can earn myself a place with you.
O God! Be merciful to me. I am a sinner through and through.
My only hope of righteousness is not in me, but only you.

2. No humble dress, no fervent prayer, no lifted hands, no tearful song,
No recitation of the truth can justify a single wrong.
My righteousness is Jesus' life. My debt was paid by Jesus death.
My weary load was borne by Him, and He alone can give me rest.

3. No separation from the world, no work I do, no gift I give,
Can cleanse my conscience, cleanse my hands, I cannot cause my soul to live.
But Jesus died and rose again. The pow'r of death is overthrown!
My God is merciful to me and merciful in Christ alone.

Tag- My righteousness is Jesus' life. My debt was paid by Jesus death.
My weary load was borne by Him, and He alone can give me rest.

-->Click here to download a .pdf of the lead sheet for this song

You can download this song from Bandcamp and Amazon.

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