Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Words: Anonymous, in the Saintes Missal, 1491. Translated from Latin to English by David T. Morgan, Hymns and Other Poetry of the Latin Church (London: Rivingtons, 1880).
Music: Faith (Smart) Henry T. Smart, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Morgan (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
With hearts renewed, and cleansed from guilt of sin,
Send we our voices pealing to the skies;
Let a pure conscience echo joy within,
And all our powers in emulation rise:
To Father, Son and Holy Spirit’s praise,
Three whom one essence joins,
One anthem here we raise.
Maker of all, the Father uncreate,
Of Him from everlasting born, the Son,
And the blest Spirit of co-equal state
From both proceeding, are of substance one:
So in this Trinity the Persons three
One perfect Being are,
One God, one Majesty.
Yet, none the less, each Person of the Trine
God, in His attributes distinct, we own;
Vainly would reason grasp the things divine,
Man can but bend adoring at God’s throne:
O may the Father, Son and Spirit be
Our help in time of need,
Our joy eternally.