Lyrics
I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I create an altar, I create an altar
Its only you can burn my fire, my fire .
I create an altar, I create an altar
‘cuz Jesus only You can light my fire
I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I give it all to You God
trusting that you'll make something beautiful out of me
I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I give it all to You God
trusting that you'll make something beautiful out of me
I give it all to You God
trusting that you'll make something beautiful out of me
There's nothing I hold on to
There's nothing I hold on to
There's nothing I hold on to
There's nothing I hold on to
'cuz am holding on to you
Who should i listen? I hear oh Lord
He who has clean hands and a pure heart
Its why I thank you Lord
I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
I Lean Not on My Own Understanding is built around surrendering self-reliance to the Maker of heaven. The recurring confession closely follows Proverbs 3, replacing personal certainty with trust in God. Images of an altar, open hands, and releasing every attachment give the song the language of worship offered without reservation. Its prayer that God make something beautiful from a yielded life expresses hope in divine care rather than confidence in personal control.
The repeated line about holding on to nothing develops that surrender through simplicity. Even the mountain image is paired with open hands, suggesting that difficulty is faced through dependence instead of grasping for control. References to clean hands and a pure heart also recall Psalm 24 and its description of those who approach the Lord. Across these connected images, the song presents trust as both confession and posture: understanding is relinquished, worship is offered, and life remains in the hands of its Creator.
Related Scripture
- Proverbs 3:5-6 The passage commands trust in the Lord rather than reliance on personal understanding.
- Psalm 24:3-4 The psalm connects approaching God with clean hands and a pure heart.