Tenth in a series of posts that go through hymns in The Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church of Canada.
Hymn #34
God be merciful to me
Psalm 51 Pressburg (Nicht So Traurig) Paraphrase, Psalter 1912 Music: Geistreiches Gensangbuch (Freylinghausen) 1704 public domainGod be merciful to me; on thy grace I rest my plea
Plenteous in compassion thou, blot out my transgressions now;
my transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against thy grace and provoked thee to thy face.Wash me, wash me pure within; cleanse, oh cleanse me from my sin;
I confess thy judgements just; speechless, I thy mercy trust.
Thou alone my saviour art; teach thy wisdom to my heart;
make me pure, thy grace bestow; make me thus thy mercy know.
Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true;
from my sins oh hide thy face, blot them out in boundless grace.
Cast me not away from thee: let thy Spirit dwell in me;
thy salvation’s joy impart; steadfast make my willing heart.
