This song is written to be
used in a service which includes a time for confession and forgiveness.
It provides for an invitation to self-reflection and repentance, an
appeal to God for forgiveness, a declaration of forgiveness, as well as
rejoicing in the forgiveness given.
There are four distinct
parts to this song as it flows from confession to absolution to
rejoicing.
1. Silent Confession.
Note the long introduction on the recording. This could be a time
when the worship leader or pastor invites the congregation to reflect on
their need for God's forgiveness.
2. Sung Confession.
This is the first two verses, chorus and bridge before the absolution.
We first sing our confession to God, acknowledging our sin and our
sinfulness. We appeal to God for his mercy in light of the cross
and resurrection. The bridge speaks of forgiveness as a return to
baptism, and evokes the image of the returning prodigal (Luke 15:11-32).
It also speaks of the feast referred to in the parable, but also the
feast which is worship, culminating in the Lord's Supper.
3. Spoken Absolution.
The declaration of forgiveness in Christ's name for His sake. In
keeping with John 20:23, we speak with the authority of Christ in
declaring His forgiveness . This spoken part is actually the high
point of the song, the answer to the prayer of the confession.
Through His word, spoken in the absolution, God is granting forgiveness
as we worship.
4. Rejoicing in
Forgiveness. Now the words of the bridge and the chorus are
changed. No longer an appeal for forgiveness and mercy, but now a
declaration and rejoicing in the forgiveness and mercy given through the
Word in the Absolution. The Lord has had mercy on us.
I wrote this song while
reflecting on James Waddell's excellent book "The Struggle to Reclaim
the Liturgy in the Lutheran Church," and his description of the
catechetical role of worship. So I intentionally set out to write
a song which emphasizes what the Word teaches about Law and Gospel,
Confession and Forgiveness, as well as the power of the Word to give
what it describes.
The recording includes
Susan Sange on vocals, Steve Jeffery on acoustic guitar, and James Regan
on electric guitar.
Bible Verses
Daniel 9:4-19, Luke 15:11-32, John 20:23, Acts 2:38,
Acts 22:16, 1 John 1:9
Themes
Repentance, Baptism, Cross of Christ, Forgiveness,
Liturgical, Salvation, Worship
Lyrics
Verse 1
I confess to You, O Lord
That I have sinned.
I confess to You, O Lord
All my sin within.
I have failed to live for You
In the things I say and do
And have fallen short of living in Your love.
Chorus 1
Lord, have mercy on me
Lord, have mercy
Set me free
O forgive me, Lord, I pray
And take my sin away
By the cross and empty grave
For my soul.
Verse 2
I confess to You, O Lord
That I have sinned.
I confess to You, O Lord
All my sin within.
I have placed myself above
And have hurt the ones I love
And I know that only You can set me free.
Bridge 1
Take us back to the water
Wash away our sins
Welcome us, O Father
Back to Your home again.
Bless Your sons and daughters
And let the feast begin.
Let it begin.
Absolution (these or similar words):
The Lord has had mercy on you and has sent His Son Jesus Christ as
the atoning sacrifice for your sins.
By his Word and Promise I declare to you the forgiveness of all of
your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. You are forgiven. You are set free.
Bridge 2
You take us back to the water.
You wash away our sins.
You welcome us, O Father,
Back to Your home again.
You bless Your sons and daughters.
Now let the feast begin.
Let it begin
Chorus 2
Lord, your mercy covers me.
Lord, Your mercy has set me free.
You've forgiven me today
And my sins are washed away
By the cross and empty grave
For my soul.
