1 O Lord, turn not thy face from me,
who lie in woeful state,
lamenting all my sinful life
before thy mercy-gate.

2 A gate which opens wide to those
that do lament their sin;
shut not that gate against me, Lord,
but let me enter in.

3 And call me not to strict account
how I have sojourned here;
for then my guilty conscience knows
how vile I shall appear.

4 Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask;
this is my humble prayer;
for mercy, Lord is all my suit:
O let thy mercy spare.