Scripture Verse

Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins. Psalm 19:12–13

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: C. Maude Bat­ters­by, ar­ranged by Charles H. Ga­bri­el, cir­ca 1911 (🔊 pdf nwc). This song has been per­formed by ma­ny ar­tists, in­clud­ing El­vis Pres­ley and Mar­ty Rob­bins.

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Bat­ters­by (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Charles Gabriel (1856–1932)

Lyrics

If I have wounded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go as­tray,
If I have walked in my own willful way,
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I myself shall suffer through the strain,
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have been perverse or hard, or cold,
If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold,
When Thou hast given me some fort to hold,
Dear Lord, forgive!

Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee;
Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me and my keeper be,
Dear Lord, Amen.