1  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!

 2  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!

 3  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!

 4  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!

 5  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!