A Wineskin in the Smoke

I wrote this song during the recording sessions for the album of the same name during November of 2006.

I was staying at Producer Barry Bynum's home and was taking a break. I had already recorded the track for this song. I had the tune but not the words. The inspiration for the lyric came as a result of reading the bible.

It was while I was reading Psalm 119 that I came across the verse that the title of my new album is taken from. Verse 83.... "Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke I do not forget your decrees [NIV]". The verse intrigued me and I tried to get to the bottom of what the writer was referring to. I discovered that the wineskins that were used in the home were hung up when not in use. Oftentimes, a fire would be burning in the tent or room where the wineskin hung. The smoke from the fire would over time, effect the wineskin until it became polluted, hard and in need of repair. It had to be soaked in oil until it was restored to its new and usable condition.

The section of Psalm 119 in which this verse appears is one where the psalmist laments the wickedness surrounding him and the persecution that he is experiencing without cause.   He sees himself like one of those wineskins in the smoke. Becoming tainted by the grime and spiritual pollution all around him and realizing his need for release to become a renewed wineskin, usable to the Lord and a pure witness in an evil day. Yet for all his discouragement he does not forget the LORD’S decrees.

Lyrics and chords Key G

From the album " A Wineskin in the Smoke"  Released February 2008

 G                                            Em

I Know I’ll never understand the wonders of your grace

     C                                          D

For sure I’ll never comprehend election to a chosen race

G                                   Em

But how can a holy nation so unholy be

   C                                    D

A Priesthood void of sacrifice royals pleading poverty

 C                                                            G

With the Psalmist I feel like a wineskin in the smoke

 C                   Em              G                 D

Chard by dying embers that only You can stoke

 Chorus 

 G                  B7            Em              C

Lord we have smoke but send the fire please

 Am                    Em                     A                   D7

Lord we are your wineskins but the wine has rested on its lees

 G                                  B7           Em                      C

Renew the smoke stained wineskins with your cleansing fire

Am                            Em           A                 D7            G

And make the new wine freely flow and let all the glory go to You

 G                                              Em

Fools despise all discipline and have never understood

       C                                                 D

The things that they resist the most were intended for their highest good

     G                                       Em

Not so the faithful servant that true and trusting soul

        C                                          D

Who growing through adversity press on toward their given goal

       C                                              G

Like wineskins in the smoke yet having hearts with one desire

                 C                                 Em                 G                           D

To see the house cleansed of man’s kindling and replaced with Your true fire

Chorus

(Same as first one except last line is:)

 A                   D             Cm/G

And let all the glory go to you