God, Be Merciful to Me

God, be merciful to me,
on Your grace I rest my plea;
Your compassions overflow;
blot out my transgressions now;
wash me, make me pure within,
cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.

My transgressions I confess,
grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against Your grace
and provoked You to Your face;
I confess Your judgment just,
speechless, in Your mercy trust.

I am evil, born in sin;
You desire all truth within.
You alone my Savior are;
teach Your wisdom to my heart;
make me pure, Your grace bestow,
wash me whiter than the snow.

Broken, humbled to the dust
by Your wrath and judgment just,
let my contrite heart rejoice
and in gladness hear Your voice;
from my sins, O hide Your face,
blot them out in boundless grace.

Gracious God, my heart renew,
make my spirit right and true;
let me not abandoned be,
let Your Spirit dwell in me;
Your salvation’s joy impart,
steadfast make my willing heart.

Sinners then shall learn from me
and to God, restored shall be;
Savior, all my guilt remove,
and my tongue shall sing Your love;
touch my silent lips, O Lord,
and my mouth shall praise accord.

No attempted sacrifice
has acceptance in Your eyes;
broken hearts are in Your sight
more than sacrificial rite;
contrite spirit, pleading cries,
You, O God, will not despise.

Prosper Zion in Your grace
and her broken walls replace;
then our righteous sacrifice
shall delight Your holy eyes;
free-will offerings, gladly made,
on Your altar shall be laid.

These lyrics are public domain and may be duplicated or altered freely.