Dr. Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David ‎#118

118. Shew pity, Lord! O Lord, forgive!

1 Shew pity, Lord! O Lord, forgive!
Let a repenting rebel live:
Are not thy mercies large and free?
May not a sinner trust in thee?

2 My crimes are great, but don's surpass
The pow'r and glory of thy grace:
Great God! thy nature hath no bound,
So let thy pard'ning love be found.

3 O, wash my soul from every sin,
And make my guilty conscience clean:
Here on my heart the burden lies,
And past offences pain my eyes.

4 My lips with shame my sins confess,
Against thy law, against thy grace:
Lord, should thy judgment grow severe,
I am condemn'd, but thou art clear.

5 Should sudden vengeance seize my breath,
I must pronounce thee just in death;
And if my soul were sent to hell,
Thy righteous law approves it well.

6 Yet save a trembling sinner, Lord,
Whose hope, still hov'ring round thy word,
Would light on some sweet promise there,
Some sure support against despair.

Text Information

• First Line: Shew pity, Lord! O Lord, forgive!
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1790
• Scripture:
  Psalm 51
• Notes: Now Public Domain. Part 1

Tune Information

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