HAVE mercy Thou, most gracious God,
And my remittance sign;
The more Thy mercy shall accord,
The greater glory Thine.
Thou surely hast not said in vain:
“More joy in heaven is made
For the lost sheep that’s found again,
Than those which never strayed.”
Helped by Thy grace, no more I’ll stray,
No more resist Thy voice;
Where Thou, good Shepherd, lead’st the way.
That way shall be my choice.
Too long, alas! my wandering feet
The crooked paths have trod;
Henceforth I’ll follow, as is meet,
The sure unerring road.
If casual falls retard my pace,
With speed again I’ll rise,
With speed I’ll reassume my race,
And run and gain the prize.
All praise, Ο Lord, to Thee alone.
Below, as ’tis above:
And may Thy joys, Eternal One,
Both draw and crown my love!