"Confession Song" Lyrics

I've had a few of you ask me to post the lyrics to a song I shared a few weeks ago. As I explained to those who asked, I do intend to record this song for you to download and have, but until then, here are the lyrics. This song was a different experience for me, as songwriting is usually a more structured and intellectual exercise.

The Spirit had really been teaching me and showing me kindness in the process of (what seemed like) numerous instances of confessing and repenting for my "pet" sins that I seem to perpetually struggle with. The song was really my prayer of confession and thanksgiving for the powerful truth of the gospel.

As I realized that I truly had NO hope of attaining perfect, sinless righteousness in my own strength, I in essence threw up my hands and told the Lord "I have NOTHING!"

The Holy Spirit gently and graciously affirmed that I indeed had nothing to offer God in this sense; but that by understanding that I had nothing, I had everything. The chorus of the song is the reminder of the solid rock of a foundation that I find myself falling on when I am brought to the end of myself: Christ's atoning death on the cross.


Confession Song

Lord I fail you.
How often, Lord, I fail you.
How often, Lord, my sin intrudes
on my fellowship with you.
I confess Lord.
In sorrow, I confess Lord.
Mindful of how much I fall short
of your righteous holiness.

For you are true perfection
and I do not deserve your mercy.
For sin you do despise Lord
and it wells up inside of my heart!

My one and only hope;
my plea and my defense
is your Son's atoning death!
He gave me life
with his last breath,
and when you look on me
you see his righteousness.

Take my sin Lord.
Renew me from within Lord.
Help me turn from things
that grieve your heart
and delight in you alone!
I repent Lord.
I mourn my sin
and I repent Lord.
Change my heart and
change my ways Lord
so I learn to walk in light.

For in my weakness
I cannot defeat sin alone or triumph.
But in my weakness you are strong;
your Spirit resides within me.

And I'm forgiven!
Yes I'm forgiven!
When I'm faithful to confess
Lord, you are faithful to forgive!

By Paul Hoover, copyright 2010 Porterhouse Music

UPDATE 12/18/2017

I am so encouraged by how this song continues to reach people! I do my best to respond to requests for the chord chart, but sometimes I'm not as timely as I wish to be, and so in an effort to make the song as accessible as possible, I've created a link to download the chord chart which you can get by right-clicking HERE and selecting "Save As..."

In case you haven't heard how the song actually goes, you can listen HERE.

Some of you have also kindly asked about any compensation for the song. I've never really intended to charge anyone to be able to use the song, but I also know it can be a blessing to show gratitude, and I have a family and two young kids so every little bit helps! :)  

If you want to contribute to a virtual "tip jar" then you can send whatever amount you like to paypal.me/PaulHoover. Thank you for your kindness!