O God, Be Merciful to Me

Representative Text

O God, be merciful to me
Because your love is strong;
Now wash me from iniquity
And cleanse me from all wrong.

These words are old, but still they live
Within our hearts today.
We cry to you: “O God, forgive!”
And “Wash our sins away!”

My sin has kept me far from you;
Your wrath is justified.
Why is it, Lord? The things I do
Have crushed my bones inside!

I try to make it on my own
As if I’m all I need,
Until I find I’m all alone,
Wrapped up in pride and greed.

Yet this is not the final word,
For you forgive our sin!
When we return to you, O Lord,
You give us joy again.


Source: Songs of Grace: new hymns for God and neighbor #7a

Author: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has been a pastor in rural, small town, suburban, and city churches; she has also served as a hospice chaplain, a hospital chaplain, and a school bus aide helping children with special needs. She and her husband Bruce are pastors of the First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego, NY. Carolyn is a gifted hymn writer who has written over 400 hymns. These hymns have been sung by congregations throughout the United States and around the world — from the Washington National Cathedral to St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland to St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa to small town churches and small household congregations; they have also been sung at national church and international ecumenical meetin… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O God, be merciful to me
Title: O God, Be Merciful to Me
Original Language: English
Author: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2006)
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Publication Date: 2006
Copyright: Copyright © 2006 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved

Tune

ST. ANNE

Though no firm documentation exists, ST. ANNE was probably composed by William Croft (PHH 149), possibly when he was organist from 1700-1711 at St. Anne's Church in Soho, London, England. (According to tradition, St. Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary.) The tune was first published in A Suppleme…

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CRIMOND


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Songs of Grace #7a

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Songs of Grace #7b

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