Scripture Verse

Be merciful to me, a sinner. Luke 18:13

Introduction

portrait
Cecil F. Alexander
1818–1895

Words: Ce­cil F. Al­ex­an­der, in Ly­ra An­gli­ca­na, 1862 (see When Je­sus Came to Earth of Old).

Music: Grace Church Ig­naz J. Pley­el, 1815 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Ignaz J. Pleyel
1757–1831

Lyrics

O Son of God, in glory crowned,
The Judge ordained of quick and dead!
O Son of Man, so pitying found
For all the tears Thy people shed!

Be with us in this darkened place,
This weary, restless, dangerous night;
And teach, O teach us, by Thy grace,
To struggle onward into light!

And since, in God’s recording book,
Our sins are written, every one,
The crime, the wrath, the wandering look
The good we knew, and left undone;

Lord, ere the last dread trump be heard,
And ere before Thy face we stand,
Look Thou on each accusing word,
And blot it with Thy bleeding hand.

And by the love that brought Thee here,
And by the cross, and by the grave,
Give perfect love for conscious fear,
And in the day of judgment save.