Scripture Verse

Let the King hear us when we call. Psalm 20:9

Introduction

Words: Tho­mas B. Pol­lock, 1875.

Music: Gow­er’s Li­ta­ny John H. Gow­er, 1891 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Gow­er (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of Pol­lock,

portrait
Thomas B. Pollock (1836–1896)

Lyrics

Father, hear Thy children’s call;
Humbly at Thy feet we fall,
Prodigals, confessing all:
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Christ, beneath Thy cross we blame
All our life of sin and shame,
Penitent, we breathe Thy name:
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Holy Spi­rit, grieved and tried,
Oft forgotten and defied,
Now we mourn our stubborn pride:
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Love that caused us first to be,
Love that bled upon the tree,
Love that draws us lovingly:
We beseech Thee, hear us.

We Thy call have disobeyed,
Into paths of sin have strayed,
And repentance have delayed:
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Sick, we come to Thee for cure,
Guilty, seek Thy mercy sure,
Evil, long to be made pure:
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Blind, we pray that we may see,
Bound, we pray to be made free,
Stained, we pray for sanctity:
We beseech Thee, hear us.

Thou who hear’st each contrite sigh,
Bidding sinful souls draw nigh,
Willing not that one should die,
We beseech Thee, hear us.

By the love that bids Thee spare,
By the Heav’n Thou dost prepare,
By Thy promises to prayer,
We beseech Thee, hear us.