With broken heart and contrite sigh,

A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry;

Thy pard'ning grace is rich and free:

O God, be merciful to me!

I smite upon my troubled breast,

With deep and conscious guilt oppressed;

Christ and His cross my only plea:

O God, be merciful to me!

Far off I stand with tearful eyes,

Nor dare uplift them to the skies;

But Thou dost all my anguish see,

O God, be merciful to me!

With alms, or deeds that I have done,

Not one sin's pardon can be won;

To Calvary alone I flee;

O God, be merciful to me!

And when redeemed from sin and hell,

With all the ransomed throng I dwell,

My raptured song shall ever be,

God has been merciful to me!