This is a musical setting of the famous prayer usually called “A General Confession” from the Anglican prayer book which is an important historical prayer that is still widely used today. 1 John 1:8-9 says “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” An important yet oft-neglected part of our prayer (and singing) life is confession and contrition. This is how God designed us to relate to him: as we continue to see the depths our sin and our need for his mercy, we continue to see the depths of his grace and the extend to which he loves to extend his mercy and forgiveness. It unites us to him in an ever-deepening cycle.
A General Confession (1928 Book of Common Prayer)
Almighty and most merciful Father,
We have erred and strayed
from Your ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much
the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against Your holy laws,
We have left undone those things
which we ought to have done;
And we have done those things
which we ought not to have done;
And there is no health in us.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
Spare those who confess their faults.
Restore those who are penitent;
According to Your promises declared
unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake;
That we may hereafter live
a godly, righteous, and sober life,
To the glory of Your holy Name.
LyricsVerse 1:
Almighty and most merciful Father,
We've erred and strayed from You like lost sheep,
We've sought our hearts' devices and desires,
Your holy law not cared to keep.
We've left undone those things we should have done,
We've done those things which we should not have done
And there is no health in us.
Chorus:
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy, have mercy;
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Verse 2:
Spare those, O God, their faults who confess,
Restore the humble and the penitent
According to the glorious promises
To all by Christ our Lord 'twere sent;
And Grant, O Lord, for Jesus' sake that we
May live a godly, righteous, sober life
To honor your holy name.
A setting of the General Confession (The Sedona Rite, 1928 Book of Common Prayer)
By David L. Ward
© 2021 HymnicityCCLI Song #7244884
Almighty and most merciful Father,
We've erred and strayed from You like lost sheep,
We've sought our hearts' devices and desires,
Your holy law not cared to keep.
We've left undone those things we should have done,
We've done those things which we should not have done
And there is no health in us.
Chorus:
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy, have mercy;
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Verse 2:
Spare those, O God, their faults who confess,
Restore the humble and the penitent
According to the glorious promises
To all by Christ our Lord 'twere sent;
And Grant, O Lord, for Jesus' sake that we
May live a godly, righteous, sober life
To honor your holy name.
By David L. Ward
© 2021 Hymnicity