281. O Lord, turn not Thy face from me

O Lord, turn not Thy face from me,

Who lie in woeful state,

Lamenting all my sinful life

Before Thy mercy-gate;

A gate that opens 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 strict account

How I have sojourned here;

For then my guilty conscience knows

How vile I shall appear.

Mercy, Good Lord, mercy I ask;

This is my humble prayer;

For mercy, Lord, is all my suit,

O let Thy mercy spare.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

The God whom we adore,

Be glory, as it was, is now,

And shall be evermore.