Penitential hymns

[sw85]

Hello all,

I am looking for hymns that have a general character of penance/repentance/contrition/conversion/asking for forgiveness or mercy. (Hymns, not psalms!) Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find any, though perhaps because I don’t really know where to look. Any (name removed by moderator)ut here would be much appreciated.

I’m posting this in Liturgy & Sacraments because I’m not sure where else it would go. Hymns are liturgical music, so… anyway, if this belongs somewhere else, please move it.

Thanks in advance,

sw85

 

[Ophelia23]

I am a musical liturgist. I can look through my things and see what I am able to find. I will private message you when I have a few ideas.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

In the Byzantine-Slav (Eastern Catholic) traditions, there are many Lenten hymns that are considered penitential in nature by the faithful, focusing on the Passion and our Lord’s great and loving mercy.

One of the most common is a modified form of the Jesus Prayer:

Having suffered the Passion for us, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us!
(repeated 3 times by tradition, set to a very spiritual melody)

A few such hymns from the Carpatho-Rusyn (Ruthenian) tradition can be found on pages 11-17 of the Byzantine Catholic Hymnal

These are para-liturgical hymns, with lyrics that are faithful to, but not drawn directly from, Holy Scripture.

There are several Psalms set to traditional chant melodies as well, including Psalm 50[51], referred to in our tradition as the Penitential Psalm (the Miserere Mei in the Latin tradition).

 

[sw85]

I am a musical liturgist. I can look through my things and see what I am able to find. I will private message you when I have a few ideas.

Thanks so much. I’ve never been into liturgical music before, but I’m looking into now to augment prayer, especially as I get more into liturgy of the hours, etc.

In the Byzantine-Slav (Eastern Catholic) traditions, there are many Lenten hymns that are considered penitential in nature by the faithful, focusing on the Passion and our Lord’s great and loving mercy.

One of the most common is a modified form of the Jesus Prayer:

Having suffered the Passion for us, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us!
(repeated 3 times by tradition, set to a very spiritual melody)

A few such hymns from the Carpatho-Rusyn (Ruthenian) tradition can be found on pages 11-17 of the Byzantine Catholic Hymnal

These are para-liturgical hymns, with lyrics that are faithful to, but not drawn directly from, Holy Scripture.

There are several Psalms set to traditional chant melodies as well, including Psalm 50[51], referred to in our tradition as the Penitential Psalm (the Miserere Mei in the Latin tradition).

Thank ya much!

 

[Usige]

I think the first one that comes to mind is Attende, Domine/Hear our entreaties, Lord. I have always loved this one. The rare times we have sung it we have used the Latin refrain (Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi) with the English verses.

Refrain:
Hear our entreaties, Lord,
and show Thy mercy;
for we are sinners before Thee.

Verse 1:
King high exalted, all the world’s Redeemer,
to Thee Thy children lift their eyes with weeping:
Christ, we implore Thee, hear our supplication.

Verse 2:
We, Thy eternal majesty entreating,
make lamentation in Thy holy hearing:
graciously grant Thou to our sins indulgence.

(This page has the above w/ a midi of the melody or the Latin verses here)

 

[liturgyluver]

Some Lenten hymns:
God of mercy and compassion
Lord Jeses think on me
Jesu lover of my soul
Forty days and forty nights
All ye who seek a comfort sure
Rock of ages
When I survey the wondorous cross

 

[Symphorian]

Penitential hymns in the Anglican tradition:

Be thou my guardian and my guide
Blest creator of the light
Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Drop, drop, slow tears
Father of heaven, whose love profound
Forgive our sins as we forgive
Great Son of God
Have mercy on us, O Lord
Healer of the sick
I do not know the man
Jesu, grant me this, I pray
Jesu, Lord of life and glory
Just as I am, without one plea
Lord, in this thy mercy’s day
Lord Jesus, think on me
Lord, we know that we have failed you
Man of sorrows
Mary, blessed grieving mother
Now is the healing time decreed
O God of earth and altar
Spirit of God, come dwell within me
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
We turn to you