Scripture Verse

God be merciful to me, a sinner. Luke 18:13

Introduction

Words: John G. Cha­fee, in Bright Jew­els, ed­it­ed by Ro­bert Low­ry (New York: Big­low & Main, 1869), page 101.

Music: Jo­tham Ches­ter G. All­en (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Cha­fee or All­en (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Can my soul find rest from sorrow,
Can my sins forgiven be,
Must I wait until tomorrow
Ere my Sav­ior speaks to me?
Will He speak in words of kindness?
Will He wash away my sin?
Will He lift this veil of blindness,
And remove this deadly pain?

O, the darkness, how it thickens,
Like the brooding of despair!
And my soul within me sickens—
God, in mercy, hear my prayer!
Give me but a hope to cherish,
Give me just one ray of light,
Help me, save me, or I perish,
Take away this awful night!

Now He Hears me, He will save me,
I behold His shining face,
Hear Him whisper He will have me—
O, the miracle of grace!
I will joy to tell the story
How He cometh from above—
Fills my soul, O glo­ry, glo­ry!
With the blessings of His love.