A Song of Penitence

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Prayer of Manasseh 1-2, 4, 6-7, 11-15 (BCP)

Especially suitable in Lent, and on other penitential occasions

O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, *
    God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
    and of all their righteous offspring:
You made the heavens and the earth, *
    with all their vast array.
All things quake with fear at your presence; *
    they tremble because of your power.
But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; *
    it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.
O Lord, you are full of compassion, *
    long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.
You hold back your hand; *
    you do not punish as we deserve.
In your great goodness, Lord,
you have promised forgiveness to sinners, *
    that they may repent of their sin and be saved.
And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, *
    and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, *
    and I know my wickedness only too well.
Therefore I make this prayer to you: *
    Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
Do not let me perish in my sin, *
    nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, *
    and in me you will show forth your goodness.
Unworthy as I am, you will save me,
in accordance with your great mercy, *
    and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.
For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, *
    and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer of Manasseh 1-2, 4, 6-7, 11-15 Common English Bible (CEB)

1 Lord Almighty, God of our ancestors,
      God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
      and their righteous children,
2 you made heaven and earth
      with all their beauty.
4 All things fear you and tremble
in your presence,
6 But your promised mercies
are beyond measure and imagination,
7 because you are the highest, Lord,
      kind, patient, and merciful,
and you feel sorry over human troubles.
You, Lord, according to
your gentle grace,
   promised forgiveness to those
   who are sorry for their sins.
In your great mercy,
   you allowed sinners to turn
   from their sins and find salvation.
11 Now I bow down before you
   from deep within my heart,
   begging for your kindness.
12 I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned,
   and I know the laws I’ve broken.
13 I’m praying, begging you:
   Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.
   Don’t destroy me along with my sins.
   Don’t keep my bad deeds
   in your memory forever.
   Don’t sentence me to the earth’s depths,
      for you, Lord, are the God
      of those who turn from their sins.
14 In me you’ll show how kind you are.
   Although I’m not worthy,
      you’ll save me according
      to your great mercy.
 15 I will praise you continuously
   all the days of my life,
   because all of heaven’s forces praise you,
   and the glory is yours
   forever and always. Amen.