Sunday, February 28, 2010

Depth of Mercy

We recently got a CD from the library called You Deliver Me by the group Selah. One of the songs on this CD was "Depth of Mercy." In the information about this song it said that this song was written by Charles Wesley and for this CD they changed the tune. This sparked my curiosity because Selah's version is lovely and I wondered what the original version sounded like. Click here to go right to "Depth of Mercy" on Nethymnal to hear the original tune by Orlando Gibbons. I tried to find a website that had the new tune written for Selah by Chad Cates and Tony Woods but I couldn't find any so if you want to listen to this version then try at your local library or buy it on Amazon.
***
Depth of Mercy
by Charles Wesley

Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

I have spilt His precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable,
I, who yet am not in hell!

I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name,
Put Him to an open shame.

Whence to me this waste of love?
Ask my Advocate above!
See the cause in Jesus’ face,
Now before the throne of grace.

Jesus, answer from above,
Is not all Thy nature love?
Wilt Thou not the wrong forget,
Permit me to kiss Thy feet?

If I rightly read Thy heart,
If Thou all compassion art,
Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow,
Pardon and accept me now.

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!
He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move,
Justice lingers into love.

Kindled His relentings are,
Me He now delights to spare,
Cries, “How shall I give thee up?”
Lets the lifted thunder drop.

Lo! I still walk on the ground:
Lo! an Advocate is found:
“Hasten not to cut Him down,
Let this barren soul alone.”

There for me the Savior stands,
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Pity from Thine eye let fall,
By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert,
Cast a look, and break my heart.

Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.

***
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.
Titus 3:5

5 comments:

Frances said...

Kati, I first heard this hymn on a CD by the "Red Mountain Church Hymn Project". In fact, the CD is entitled "Depth of Mercy." It is my favorite hymn on the recording. It, too, is done with a revised tune. And it doesn't include all of these wonderful verses. I can't tell you how much I love your postings where you show us all of these additional verses that have been left out of hymn books. The words are so deep and so powerful, and they just make me want to worship Him. It would be wonderful to sing this in church, wouldn't it?

Kristin said...

Try this. I think it is the Selah version you are looking for!

http://s0.ilike.com/play#Selah:Depth+of+Mercy:108918408:m32845269

Cheryl said...

I, too, have been deeply moved by the words of this hymn (which I had never heard before).
And I would love to sing this in church, Frances!

Sarah Jean said...

Wonderful post, Kati. Great, great words! I am going to listen to the song right now.

Anonymous said...

Kati, I hadn't known this hymn or heard the Selah album, either. The words are wonderful and powerful. Thank you so much for posting them. Since Kristin has posted the a link to the Selah version, I'll check it out.
Love,
Ann