V. AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES. "And forgive us our trespasses; as we forgive them that trespass against us." CCXIX. Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat Thy promise is my only plea, And such, O Lord, am I. Bow'd down beneath a load of sin, By war without, and fears within, Be Thou my shield and hiding-place, I may my fierce accuser face, O wondrous love! to bleed and die, John Newton. 1779. CCXX. Almighty God, Thy piercing eye There's not a sin that we commit, But in Thy dreadful book 'tis writ And must the crimes that I have done Be all expos'd before the sun, Lord! at Thy foot ashamed I lie, Pardon my sins before I die, And blot them from Thy book! Remember all the dying pains That my Redeemer felt, And let His Blood wash out my stains, And answer for my guilt! Isaac Watts. 1715. CCXXI. Mercy alone can meet my case; Jesus! Redeemer! show Thy face Save me, for none beside can save; I perish, and my doom were just; Still sure to me Thy promise stands, Behold it written on Thy hands, To this, this only, will I cleave; Thy word is truth, and I believe : James Montgomery. 1825 CCXXII. O Jesus, Saviour of the lost, Guilty, forgive me, Lord! I cry ; A sinner, save me, or I die; Once safe in Thine almighty arms, And when I stand before Thy throne, Still be my righteousness alone To hide myself in Thee. Edward Henry Bickersteth. 1858, CCXXIII. When at Thy footstool, Lord, I bend, And for His sake receive my prayer. O think not of my shame and guilt, My thousand stains of deepest dye; Think of the blood which Jesus spilt, And let that blood my pardon buy. Think, Lord, how I am still Thy own, The trembling creature of Thy hand; O think upon Thy holy word, And every plighted promise there; O think not of my doubts and fears, And let His merits stand for mine. Thine eye, Thine ear, they are not dull; Behold me here; my heart is full; Henry Francis Lyte. 1833. CCXXIV. As o'er the past my memory strays, The world, and worldly things beloved, Yet, holy Father, wild despair Chase from my labouring breast! Thy grace it is, which prompts the prayer: That grace can do the rest. My life's brief remnant all be Thine! And, when Thy sure decree Bids me this fleeting breath resign, O, speed my soul to Thee! Bishop Thomas Fanshaw Middleton. [1822.] CCXXV. Forth from the dark and stormy sky, Long have we roam'd in want and pain; Bishop Reginald Heber. 1827. |