| |
| LORD of the world, we seek Thy face, | |
| With contrite hearts implore Thy grace, | |
| Not on our merits we depend, | |
| To us Thy favor Thou wilt send; | |
| But trusting in Thy mercy great, | 5 |
| That Thou wilt hear us supplicate. | |
| |
| For what are we, our life or deed? | |
| Some broken staff; some bruised reed, | |
| What are the virtues that we boast? | |
| Of small account and vain at most. | 10 |
| What is our strength and what our power | |
| That fails us in each tempting hour? | |
| |
| What can we urge our cause to plead, | |
| Our fathers’ God, to intercede? | |
| For what to Thee are men of power | 15 |
| Who fade at last like grass or flower? | |
| What are the wise, the most august? | |
| Thou art to them as star to dust. | |
| |
| The greatest of our works are vain, | |
| For life is fraught with sin and pain. | 20 |
| And how alike are beast and man, | |
| Whose longest years are but a span, | |
| Save in that pure, immortal soul | |
| Which yearns for its celestial goal. | |
| |
| There at Thy throne in future time,— | 25 |
| Though most momentous and sublime,— | |
| The soul shall render its report | |
| At Mercy’s just and last high court; | |
| And there the favor of the Lord | |
| Shall be its true and blest reward. | 30 |
| |
