Lyrics Page

The Stories I Tell Myself

By Matt Maher

1,268 views Jul 17, 2026 updated Verified editorial review

Matt Maher's song 'These Are the Stories I Tell Myself' contrasts the negative narratives people often believe about themselves—such as being trapped by family history or never being enough—with the faithful stories of biblical figures like Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, and ultimately Jesus. The song encourages replacing lies with the truth of God's faithfulness, as seen in Scripture. It emphasizes that Jesus, who never lost a battle, becomes the believer's true story. The lyrics reference several Old Testament accounts and culminate in the hope found in Christ, making it a reflective piece about identity and faith.

Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team

Never faced a battle that he couldn't win

All you ever wanted was to be like him

But he drank his way through your teenage years

Now you're stuck with the bill for your father's sins

These are the stories I tell myself


This town has a ceiling that you'll never break through

You'll always be alone in a crowded room

And no matter how hard you work it's true

You'll never be enough just being you

These are the stories I tell myself


When I think of Abraham

Counting the stars up in the sky

When I think of Jacob

Fighting an angel for his life

When I think of Joshua

Walking around the walls until they fell

These are the stories I tell myself

These are the stories I tell


My children there are lessons that I cannot teach

There's always going to be something out of reach

By the grace of God you'll remember well

These are the stories you'll tell


When I think of Abraham

Counting the stars up in the sky

When I think of Jacob

Fighting an angel for his life

When I think of Joshua

Walking around the walls until they fell

These are the stories I tell myself

These are the stories I tell


These are the stories I tell myself

These are the stories I tell


And when I think about Jesus

When I think about Jesus

He never faced a battle that he couldn't win

And all I ever needed I found in him

And he made his way through the wilderness

From glory to glory

He is my story


When I think of Abraham

Counting the stars up in the sky

When I think of Jacob

Fighting an angel for his life

When I think of Joshua

Walking around the walls until they fell

If they went before me

Then these are the stories


I think of Noah

Looking for a sign after the rain

When I think about Moses

Speaking for the powerless in faith

When I think about Joseph

Dreaming at the bottom of a well

These are the stories I tell myself

These are the stories I tell


These are the stories I tell myself

These are the stories I tell myself

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