Israel Houghton - Not Unto Us Lyrics
Lyrics
Chorus 1:
Not unto us, not unto us,
but unto You, Lord be all glory and honor.
Not unto us, not unto us,
but all glory and honor to You.
Verse 1:
(You have called us) You have called us
(out of darkness) out of darkness
(into greatness) into greatness
to be a light to the nations.
And You have filled us with Your Spirit,
Lord, let all that we do bring the glory to You.
Chorus 1
Verse 2:
(You have chosen) You have chosen
(to redeem us) to redeem us
(to Your purpose) to Your purpose
to establish Your kingdom.
There's no stopping what You're doing
we are standing in awe of Your glory O God.
Chorus 1
Chorus 2:
Not unto us, not unto us,
but unto You, Lord be all glory and honor.
Not unto us, not unto us...
Bridge:
But all glory and honor
be unto You, Father.
All the glory and honor
be unto You, Father.
All the glory and honor
be unto You, Father.
All the glory and honor
be unto You, Father.
Vamp 1:
Glory, glory Lord,
we give You glory Lord.
Glory, glory Lord,
You are the mighty God.
Vamp 2:
You are the mighty God.
Vamp 3:
Yeah, yeah,
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, yeah,
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
"Who Is Like The Lord (Reprise)"
Lord, we declare,
who can compare,
who would even dare,
there is no one like you.
Video
Not Unto Us Glory; Glory Lord Who Is the Lord [Medley]
Meaning & Inspiration
Released on May 19, 2015, as part of the "Not Unto Us Glory; Glory Lord Who Is the Lord [Medley]," Israel Houghton's "Not Unto Us" is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and the believer's role as a vessel of His glory. The song’s essence is a profound turning away from self-congratulation and towards a singular focus on the divine. The central theme, echoing the sentiment of Psalm 115:1, immediately establishes that any accomplishment, any calling, any redemptive act, is not a testament to human merit but solely to the boundless grace and power of God. Houghton artfully unpacks this truth by reminding the listener of their origin: "You have called us out of darkness into greatness to be a light to the nations." This isn't a statement of inherent human potential, but a recognition of God's transformative power, His deliberate act of pulling us from obscurity and positioning us for His purposes. This echoes the Apostle Paul’s teaching in 1 Peter 2:9, which calls believers "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." The song emphasizes that this calling is not for personal elevation, but to reflect God's glory to the world.
Further delving into the theological underpinnings, "Not Unto Us" highlights God's redemptive purpose. The lyrics state, "You have chosen to redeem us to Your purpose to establish Your kingdom." This directly aligns with the grand narrative of salvation found throughout Scripture. Jesus himself declared in Matthew 6:10, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," a prayer that encapsulates the ultimate aim of God’s work in the world. Houghton's invocation of God's redemptive choice underscores the doctrine of election and predestination, reminding us that our salvation is rooted in God's sovereign plan, not in our own foresight or good deeds (Ephesians 1:4-5). The recurring refrain, "Not unto us, but unto You, Lord be all glory and honor," is a constant recalibration, a spiritual discipline to keep the focus where it belongs. The bridge, a heartfelt repetition of "All the glory and honor be unto You, Father," builds into a crescendo of worship, a deliberate surrender of pride and a passionate offering of praise. The final vamps, with their exclamations of "Glory, glory Lord" and the declaration, "You are the mighty God," culminate in the reprise of "Who Is Like The Lord," a powerful echo of Psalm 35:10 and Exodus 15:11. This isn't just a song; it’s a theological treatise set to music, a vibrant and inspiring call to humility and adoration that solidifies Israel Houghton’s enduring legacy in contemporary worship music.