The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 51:17
Words: John Bowring, Matins and Vespers (London: G. & W. B. Whittaker, 1824), number 244.
Music: Acushnet, in The Modern Harp, by Edward L. White & John E. Gould (Boston, Massachusetts: Oliver Ditson, 1847), page 88 (🔊 pdf nwc).
The offerings to Thy throne which rise,
Of mingled praise and prayer;
Are but a worthless sacrifice
Unless the heart is there.
Upon Thy all discerning ear
Let no vain words intrude:
No tribute—but the vow sincere—
The tribute of the good.
My offerings will indeed be blest,
If sanctified by Thee;
If Thy pure Spirit touch my heart
With its own purity.
O may that Spirit warm my heart
To piety and love;
And to life’s lowly vale impart
Some rays from Heaven above.