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 Because your love is strong
Title: O God, Be Merciful to Me
Original Language: English
Author: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2006)
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: © 2006 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

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


Instances

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Text

Songs of Grace #7a

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Songs of Grace #7b

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