O Thou that Hear'st when Sinners Cry

1 O Thou that hear'st when sinners cry,
Though all my crimes before Thee lie,
Behold them not with angry look,
But blot their mem'ry from Thy book.

2 Create my nature pure within
And form my soul averse to sin;
Let Thy good Spirit ne'er depart
Nor hide Thy presence from my heart.

3 I cannot live without Thy light,
Cast out and banish from Thy sight;
Thy holy joys, my God, restore
And guard me that I fall no more.

4 Though I have grieved Thy Spirit, Lord,
His help and comfort still afford
And let me now come near Thy throne
To plead the merits of Thy Son.

5 A broken heart, my God, my King,
Is all the sacrifice I bring.
Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye
And save the soul condemned to die.

6 O may Thy love inspire my tongue!
Salvation shall be all my song;
And all my pow'rs shall join to bless
The Lord, my Strength and Righteousness.

Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #500