Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.
Psalm 86:5
Words: Anne Steele, Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional 1760.
Music: Salzburg (Haydn) arranged from Johann M. Haydn (1737–1806) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Steele (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you ?
How oft, alas! this wretched heart
Has wandered from the Lord!
How oft my roving thoughts depart,
Forgetful of His Word.
Yet sovereign mercy calls, Return
;
Dear Lord, and may I come?
My vile ingratitude I mourn;
Oh take the wanderer home.
And canst Thou, wilt Thou yet forgive,
And bid my crimes remove?
And shall a pardoned rebel live
To speak Thy wondrous love?
Almighty grace, thy healing power
How glorious, how divine!
That can to bliss and life restore
So vile a heart as mine.
Thy pardoning love, so free, so sweet,
Dear Savior, I adore;
O keep me at Thy sacred feet,
And let me rove no more.