O Lord, turn not thy face from me,
Who lie in woeful state,
Lamenting all my sinful life
Before thy mercy-gate:

A gate which opens wide to those
That do lament their sin;
Shut not that gate against me, Lord,
But let me enter in.

And call me not to strict account
How I have sojourned here;
For then my guilty conscience knows
How vile I shall appear.

Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask:
This is my humble prayer;
For mercy, Lord, is all my suit:
O let thy mercy spare.


J. Marckant