Scripture Verse

God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13

Introduction

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James M. Gray (1851–1935)

Words: James M. Gray, 1905. Gray was dean of Moo­dy Bi­ble In­sti­tute, Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois, when he wrote these words. They were pub­lished in Re­vi­val Hymns, 1905.

Music: Da­ni­el B. Tow­ner (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Daniel B. Towner (1850–1919)

Lyrics

Naught have I got­ten but what I re­ceived;
Grace hath be­stowed it since I have be­lieved;
Boasting ex­clud­ed, pride I abase;
I’m only a sin­ner, saved by grace!

Refrain

Only a sin­ner, saved by grace!
Only a sin­ner, saved by grace!
This is my sto­ry, to God be the glo­ry—
I’m only a sin­ner, saved by grace!

Once I was fool­ish, and sin ruled my heart,
Causing my foot­steps from God to de­part;
Jesus hath found me, hap­py my case;
I now am a sin­ner, saved by grace!

Refrain

Tears un­avail­ing, no mer­it had I;
Mercy had saved me, or else I must die;
Sin had alarmed me fear­ing God’s face;
But now I’m a sin­ner saved by grace!

Refrain

Suffer a sin­ner whose heart ov­er­flows,
Loving his Sav­ior to tell what he knows;
Once more to tell it would I em­brace—
I’m on­ly a sin­ner saved by grace!

Refrain