Introduction
1818–1866
Words: Joseph the Hymnographer, circa 860 (Τῶν ἁμαρτῶν μου τὴν πληῦν). Translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, Hymns of the Eastern Church, 1862.
Music: St. Bride Samuel Howard, 1762 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.
Psalm 143:2
Words: Joseph the Hymnographer, circa 860 (Τῶν ἁμαρτῶν μου τὴν πληῦν). Translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, Hymns of the Eastern Church, 1862.
Music: St. Bride Samuel Howard, 1762 (🔊 pdf nwc).
This is the opening line of a cento taken from a long Canon for the Monday of the First Tone in the Paracletice. It is virtually, as compiled by Dr. Neale, a new poem, representing neither the form nor the idea of the original.
Julian, p. 1181
And wilt Thou pardon, Lord,
A sinner such as I,
Although Thy book his crimes record,
Of such a crimson dye?
So deep are they engraved,
So terrible their fear,
The righteous scarcely shall be saved,
And where shall I appear?
O Thou Physician blest,
Make clean my guilty soul
And me, by many a sin oppressed,
Restore and keep me whole.
I know not how to praise
Thy mercy and Thy love;
But deign my soul from earth to raise
And learn from Thee above.