Thou who look'st with pitying eye
From Thy radiant home on high,
On the spirit tempest-tost,
Wretched, weary, wandering, lost -
Ever 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,
We adore, implore, entreat,
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,
FATHER! sorrowing we return.
Though forgotten, Thou hast not
To be merciful forgot;
Hear us! for we cry to Thee -
_Miserere Domine_!

From the burden of our grief
Who, but Thou, can give relief?
Who can pour Salvation's light
On the darkness of our night?
Bowed our load of sin beneath,
Who can snatch our souls from death?
Vain the help of man! - in dust
Vainly do we put our trust!
Smitten by Thy chastening rod,
Hear us, save us, SON OF 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.
Oh, let us be gathered there
Richly of Thy love to share;
With the people of Thy choice
Live and labor and rejoice,
Till the toils of life are done,
Till the fight is fought and won,
And the crown, with heavenly glow,
Sparkles on the victor's brow!
Hear the prayer we lift to Thee -
_Miserere Domine_!