Miserere mei deus
Psalm. li.
W.W.
When Dauid was rebuked by the Prophet Nathan for his greate
offences, he did not onely acknowledge the same to God, with protestation
of his naturall corruption, and iniquitie: but also left a memori
all therof to his posteritie. Therfore firste he desireth God to forgeue
his sinnes, and renew in him, his holye spirite: with promise that he
will not be vnmindfull, of those great graces. Finally fearyng lest god
would punish the whole churche for, hys faute: He requireth that he
woulde rather increase his graces towardes the same.
[The first parte.]
O Lord
consider my distres.
And now with spede some pitie take?
My sinnes deface, my fautes redresse,
good Lorde, for thy great mercies sake.
Wash me (O Lord) and make me cleane.
Frō this vniust & sinfull act:
& purifie yet once againe:
my hainous crime & blody fact
Remorse and sorow doo constrayne,
Me to acknowledge myne exces:
My sinne alas doth still remayne,
Before my face without reles,
For thee alone I haue offended,
committing euyl in thy sight:
And if I were therfore condemned,
yet were thy iudgement iust & right.
It is to manifest alas,
that firste I was conceiued in sinne:
Yea of my mother so borne was,
and yet vile wretche remaine therin.
Also beholde Lord thou doest loue,
the inward truthe of a pure hart:
Therfore thy wisdome from aboue,
thou hast reueld me to conuert.
If thou with Hissope purge this blot,
I shalbe cleaner then the glasse:
And if thou wash away my spot,
the snow in whitenes shall I passe.
Therfore (O Lorde) suche ioy me send,
that inwardly I may fynd grace:
And that my strength may now amend,
which thou hast swagd for my trespace
Turne back thy face and frowning ire
for I haue felt inoughe thy hande:
And purge my sinnes I thee desire,
which doo in number passe the sand.
Make new my hart within my brest,
and frame it to thy holy will:
Thy constant spirite in me let rest,
which may these raging enemies kil.
The secōd parte.
Cast me not (Lorde) out from thy face,
but spedely my tormentes ende:
Take not from me thy spirite and grace
which may from daungers me defend
Restore me to those ioyes agayne,
which I was wont in thee to fynde:
And let me thy free spirite retayne,
which vnto thee may stirre, my mind
Thus when I shall thy mercyes know
I shall instruct others therin:
And men that are likewise brought low
by mine ensample shall flee sinne,
O God that of my health art Lorde,
forgeue me thys my bloudy vice:
My harte and toung shall then accorde,
to sing thy mercies and iustice.
Touch thou my lippes, my tonge vntye,
(O Lord) which art the only kay:
And then my mouth shall testifye,
thy wondrous works & praise alway.
And as for outward sacrifice,
I would haue offred many one:
But thou estemest them of no pryce,
and therin pleasure takst thou none.
The heauy hart, the mind opprest,
O Lorde, thou neuer dost reiect:
And to speake truth it is the best,
and of all sacrifice the effect.
Lorde vnto Sion turne thy face,
poure out thy mercyes on thy hyll:
And on Ierusalem thy grace,
buyld vp the walles, and loue it still.
Thou shalt accept then oure offrynges,
of peace and righteousnes, I say:
Yea calues and many other thynges,
vpon thyne altare will we lay.
