1 God, be merciful to me;
on your grace I rest my plea.
My transgressions I confess;
grief and guilt my soul oppress.
Wash me, make me pure within;
cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.

2 I have sinned against your grace
and provoked you to your face.
I confess your judgment just;
speechless, I your mercy trust.
Let my contrite heart rejoice
and in gladness hear your voice.

3 Gracious God, my heart renew,
make my spirit right and true.
Do not cast me from your sight
nor remove your Spirit's light.
Your salvation's joy restore,
make me steadfast evermore.

4 Contrite spirit, pleading cries,
you, O God, will not despise.
Sinful ways I will reprove,
and my tongue shall sing your love.
Let my righteous sacrifice
then delight your holy eyes.

Scripture References:
st.1 = Ps. 51:1-3
st.2 = Ps. 51:4,8
st.3 = Ps. 51:10-12
st.4 = Ps. 51:13-14,17,19

Based on Psalm 51, the best-known of the penitential psalms, “God, Be Merciful” is a collation from the complete versification of the psalm in the 1912 Psalter. Making various alterations, especially in stanza 3, Bert Polman (PHH 37) prepared the collation to provide a shortened version of this well-known psalm and tune for the Psalter Hymnal. Other settings of Psalm 51 are at 51 and 167.

Liturgical Use:
Service of confession and forgiveness; a sung prayer for renewal (st. 3); offering of gifts (st. 4). See also PHH 51.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook