Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love." (Psalm 51:1 NRSV)
During this season of Lent we have been singing a new hymn of praise called “Kyrie Eleison Have Mercy.” It is written by Keith Getty. Keith Getty (born Dec. 16, 1974, in Lisburn, Northern Ireland) is an Irish composer, best known for pioneering "modern hymns." Many of his songs are co-written with his wife, Kristyn Getty, and veteran British songwriter and worship leader Stuart Townend. The most widely used of the Getty-Townend hymns are “In Christ Alone,” "The Power of the Cross,” and “Speak, O Lord.” Keith and Kristyn Getty are currently living in the United States where they write music and tour. Keith has this to say about Kyrie Eleison:
“Stuart and I (Keith) were privileged to contribute a new song to the Lausane Congress in Capetown this past October . . . Kyrie Eleison is the Greek translation of 'Lord have Mercy' and is a song of confession and repentance with a focus on those sins of omission- the things we should do but do not do particularly as we consider the deep needs of our world. When we sing as a church we need to make time to voice our sin before the One we have sinned against so that we might also look with relief to the One who is merciful and see a path of freedom unfold before us where we can walk as He did.”1
1. “Some Notes From Keith” Getty Music. Date visited: February 18, 2012. www.gettymusic.com
Kyrie Eleison Have Mercy
Kyrie Eleison, have mercy
Christ Eleison, have mercy;
Kyrie Eleison, have mercy,
Christ Eleison, have mercy.
As we come before You with the needs of our world,
We confess our failures and our sin,
For our words are many yet our deeds have been few;
Fan the fire of compassion once again.
When the cries of victims go unheard in the land,
And the scars of war refuse to heal;
Will we stand for justice to empower the weak
Till their bonds of oppression are no more?
If we love our God with all our heart, mind and strength,
And we love our neighbors as ourselves;
Then this law of love will heal the nations of earth
And the glory of Christ will be revealed.
Lord, renew our vision to be Christ where we live,
To reach out in mercy to the lost;
For each cup of kindness to the least in our midst
Is an offering of worship to the throne.
© 2010 Thankyou Music & Gettymusic. Author: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.
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