1. O Thou that hear'st when sinners cry
Though all my crimes before Thee lie,
Behold them not with angry look,
But blot their memory from Thy book.
2. Create my nature pure within
And form my soul averse to sin;
Let Thy good Spirit ne'er depart
Nor hide Thy presence from my heart.
3. I cannot live without Thy light,
Cast out and banish from Thy sight;
Thy holy joys, my God, restore
And guard me that I fall no more.
4. Though I have grieved Thy Spirit, Lord,
His help and comfort still afford
And let me now come near Thy throne
To plead the merits of Thy Son.
5. A broken heart, my God, my King,
Is all the sacrifice I bring.
Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye
And save the soul condemned to die.
6. Oh, may Thy love inspire my tongue
Salvation shall be all my song;
And all my powers shall join to bless
The Lord, my Strength and Righteousness.
Hymn #325 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
Text: Ps. 51
Author: Isaac Watts, 1719, cento, alt.
Arranged by: Lowell Mason, 1824
Tune: "Hamburg"
Based on First Gregorian Chant