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"I'm Not Who I Was (Psalm 103)" by Stephen M. Miller: A Celebration Song for Everyone Who Has Changed


What if the very thing you’re most ashamed of is already gone? 

“I’m Not Who I Was (Psalm 103)” by Stephen M. Miller is a celebration that God’s mercy doesn’t just forgive; it really transforms lives! Steve was visiting his family in Downtown Akron, Ohio (more than 1000 miles away from his home). During this visit, Steve wanted to go with his brother (who was in AA) to one of the AA-meetings to see what he was having to deal with.

Stephen M. Miller - I’m Not Who I Was (Psalm 103) - EPDuring this meeting, a woman stood up and said, “This is my first time here. And this is my first time to say I’m an alcoholic.” The room went silent. That’s when something beautiful happened — people lined up to embrace her! Steve also stood in that line, a stranger, in the middle of a scene that scared him. But suddenly, he stood face to face with her. He reached out his arms, and she hugged him tight, resting her head on his shoulder. Steve walked away with her tears on his neck and his shirt. No baptism could have moved him more.

That moment became the heartbeat of this song. A celebration for everyone who has fought to become someone new, and a song of hope for those still in the middle of that battle. A song that reminds us how important it is to know that we’re loved.

The lyrics reflect on how big God’s love is and ask: “How high are your heavens? How wide are the oceans? How deep is the sea?” The answer comes from Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” That’s enough to blow my mind, and God’s love stretches even further! Every mistake, every heartbreak, every chapter you wish you could rewrite? “Disappeared in the heavens or buried at sea.” 

God promises that He won’t hold your past over you. He removes all those mistakes completely, and He replaces them with mercy, love, and kindness that carry you forward.

So, stop rehearsing who you used to be and let God define who you are now. Listen to “I’m Not Who I Was (Psalm 103)” and let it remind you of the new person you already are in Him. “I’m washed in Your mercy, I’m wrapped in Your love, I’m carried in kindness — I’m not who I was.”

(Related scripture: Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Background:

The picture in my head that drove the first song [I’m Not Who I Was (Psalm 103)] is Darb (my brother) and a lady I met at an AA meeting with him. [My brother was in AA, and while I visited my family from my home more than 1000 km away, I wanted to go with him to one of the meetings to see what he was having to deal with.] The lady was terrified. She had just arrived that evening at AA in Downtown Akron, Ohio. She said, “This is my first time here. And this my first time to say I’m an alcoholic.”

The room fell quiet for a time. No one wanted to speak after that. The meeting ended and she stood leaning against the wall opposite the exit. Darb told me to wait outside and he’d be out shortly. I started to head out then saw him walking toward the woman. A line had already formed and people were hugging her.

I got in line behind Darb. Me, suburban white guy, never-had-a-drink.

She hugged Darb. Full-body hug with her cheek on his cheek. The scene scared me. But suddenly there I stood face to face with her. I reached out my arms and she hugged me tight, resting her head on my shoulder. I walked away with her tears on my neck and my shirt. No baptism could have moved me more.

I’ve wondered how she fared in life. Darb managed to beat the drug problem, though he faced other battles.

Scenes like this don’t normally play out in my head while I’m working with the lyrics. But they did for “I’m Not Who I Was.” I think of it as a celebration song for people like Darb who won the battle to change for the better. And maybe it’s a song of hope for the others. I don’t know.

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“I’m Not Who I Was (Psalm 103)” is the first song on the EP, as well as the title of the EP. The 5 songs include 2 new songs and 3 previously released as singles. The new songs are the first and last on the EP (I’m Not Who I Was (Psalm 103) and The Song I'd Sing).

The lyrics are simple and repeated as a celebration, like a hallelujah.

Titles on this EP:

  1.  I’m Not Who I Was (Psalm 103)
  2. Tear in Mother's Eye (Psalm 116)
  3. My God is Real (Psalm 145)
  4. Higher Ground
  5. The Song I'd Sing

Release date: July 10, 2026

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