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?
My soul, make all things known
To Him Who all things sees:
That so the LAMB may yet atone
For thine iniquities.
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 Thy servant to upraise,
And I shall learn above!
Translator: John Mason Neale (1862)
Author: Joseph of the Studium, Saint, 762-832