Poem by Isaac Watts

Psalm 51. Part 1 (Show pity, Lord, O Lord, forgive)

A penitent pleading for pardon.

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

My crimes are great, but not surpass
The power and glory of thy grace:
Great God, thy nature hath no bound,
So let thy pard'ning love be found.

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.

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

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.

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.

1. Psalm 103. Part 1 (O bless the Lord, my soul!)
2. Psalm 139. Part 1 (Lord, thou hast searched and seen me through)
3. Psalm 122 (How pleased and blest was I)
4. Psalm 42. Part 1 (With earnest longings of the mind)
5. Psalm 9. Part 1 (With my whole heart I'll raise my song)

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