WITH broken heart and contrite sigh,

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.

Nor alms, nor deeds that I have done, Can for a single sin atone; 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.