Church Book ‎#357

357. O Lord, turn not Thy face from me

1 O Lord, turn not Thy face from me,
Who lie in woful state,
Lamenting all my sinful life
Before Thy mercy-gate:

2 A gate which opens wide to those
That do lament their sin:
Shut not that gate against me, Lord;
But let me enter in.

3 And call me not to strict account
How I have sojourned here;
For then my guilty conscience knows
How vile I shall appear.

4 So come I to Thy mercy-gate,
Where mercy doth abound,
Imploring pardon for my sin,
To heal my deadly wound.

5 O Lord, I need not to repeat
The comfort I would have:
Thou know'st, O Lord, before I ask,
The blessing I do crave.

6 Mercy, good Lord, mercy, I ask,
This is the total sum;
For mercy, Lord, is all my suit;
Lord, let Thy mercy come!

Text Information

• First Line: O Lord, turn not Thy face from me
• Author: John Mardley (1562)
• Meter: C. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1890
• Topic: The Order of Salvation: Repentance; Quinquagesima Sunday; Sundays in Lent; Third Sunday after Trinity; Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
• Notes: Alternate tune: #158 or #187

Tune Information

• Name: FARRANT
• Meter: C. M.
• Key: G Major
• Notes: Composer from index: From Ed. Farrant, d. 1585