Miserere Domine

Thou, who look'st with pitying eye 
From thy radiant home on high 
On the spirit tempest-tossed, 
Wretched, weary, wandering, lost; 
Every ready help to give, 
And entreating, "Look and live!" 
By that love, exceeding thought, 
Which from heaven the Saviour brought 
By that mercy which could dare 
Death to save us from despair, 
Lowly bending at thy feet, 
Lifting heart and voice to Thee — 
               Miserere Domine!

With the vain and giddy throng, 
Father, we have wandered long! 
Eager from thy paths to stray, 
Chosen the forbidden way; 
Heedless of the light within, 
Hurried on from sin to sin, 
And with scoffers madly trod 
On the mercy of our God!
Now, to where thine altars burn, 
Penitently we return: 
Though forgotten, Thou hast not 
To be merciful forgot; 
Hear our suppliant cries to Thee — 
               Miserere Domine!

From the burden of our grief, 
Who but Thou canst give relief? 
Who can pour salvation's light
On the darkness of our night? 
Bowed our load of sin beneath, 
Who redeem our souls from death? 
If in man we put our trust, 
Scattered are our hopes like dust! 
Smitten by thy chastening rod, 
Lo, we cry to Thee, our God! 
From the perils of our path, 
From the terrors of thy wrath, 
Save us when we look to Thee — 
               Miserere Domine!

Where the pastures greenly grow, 
Where the waters gently flow, 
And beneath the sheltering Rock 
With the Shepherd rests the flock — 
O, let us be gathered there, 
Under thy paternal care;
Love and labor and rejoice 
With the people of thy choice, 
Till the toils of life are done, 
And the crown with heavenly glow 
Sparkles on the victor's brow! 
Hear the prayer we lift to Thee, — 
               Miserere Domine!