To hold Thy servant's sins more lightly weighed,
When, his confession penitently made,
He answers for his guilt before the King.
Thine is the love, O God! and Thine the grace,
That folds the sinner in its mild embrace;
Thine the forgiveness bridging o'er the space
'Twixt man's works and the task set by the King.
Unheeding all my sins, I cling to Thee!
I know that mercy will Thy footstool be:
Before I call, oh! do Thou answer me,