Scripture Verse

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord. Psalm 130:1

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Watts
1674–1748

Words: Is­aac Watts, The Psalms of Da­vid 1719. Par­don­ing grace.

Music: Bour­bon Free­man Lew­is, in The Mis­sou­ri Har­mo­ny, by Al­len Car­den, 1820 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Lew­is (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

Lyrics

From deep distress and troubled thoughts
To Thee, my God, I raised my cries;
If Thou severely mark our faults,
No flesh can stand before Thine eyes.

But Thou hast built Thy throne of grace
Free to dispense Thy pardons there,
That sinners may approach Thy face,
And hope and love, as well as fear.

As the benighted pilgrims wait
And long, and wish for breaking day,
So waits my soul before Thy gate;
When will my God His face display?

My trust is fixed upon Thy Word,
Nor shall I trust Thy Word in vain;
Let mourning souls address the Lord
And find relief from all their pain.

Great is His love, and large His grace,
Through the redemption of His Son;
He turns our feet from sinful ways,
And pardons what our hands have done.