F10. The Lamentation of a sinner

O Lord turn not away thy face
From him that lies prostrate:
Lamenting sore his sinfull life,
Before thy mercy gate:
Which gate thou openest wide to those,
That do lament their sin:
Shut not that gate against me Lord,
but let me enter in.

And call me not to mine account,
How I have lived here:
For then I know right well O Lord,
How vile I shall appear.
I need not to confesse my life,
I am sure thou canst tell,
What I have been and what I am,
I know thou know'st it well.

O Lord thou know'st what things be past,
And eke the things that be:
Thou know'st also what is to come,
Nothing is hid from thee.
Before the heavens and earth were made,
Thou know'st what things were then:
As all things else that have beene since,
Among the sonnes of men.

And can the things that I have done,
Be hidden from thee then?
Nay nay, thou know'st them all O Lord,
Were they wer done and when,
Wherefore with teares I come to thee,
To beg and to intreat:
Even as the child that hath done ill,
And feareth to be beate.

So come I to thy mercy gate,
Where mercy doth abound:
Requiring mercy for my sin,
To heale my deadly wound.
O Lord I need not to repeat,
What I do beg or crave:
Thou know'st (O Lord) before I ask,
The thing that I would have.

Mercy good Lord, mercy I ask,
This is the totall summe,
For mercy Lord is all my suit,
Lord let thy mercy come.

Text Information
First Line: O Lord turn not away thy face
Title: The Lamentation of a sinner
Language: English
Publication Date: 1640
Tune Information
Name: [O Lord turn not away thy face]
Key: d minor



Media
MIDI file: Midi
More media are available on the text authority page.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us