LiturgyTools.net: Hymns about Mercy

This is a selection of hymns and songs about God's mercy.

It was compiled in preparation for the extra-ordinary Jubliee Year of Mercy 2015, which ran from December 2015 November 2016.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. Many are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included.

The theme of the Jubilee Year was "Be merciful like the Father" - and for this reason the first part of the list focuses on hymns specifically about the mercy of God the Father, Son and Spirit.

The second section is other hymns about mercy, particularly ones about Mary as mediator of God's mercy.

The third section lists hymns specifically about mercy which are not yet free use.

Historically the word "grace" has been used with a very similar meaning to "mercy", so the lists include some hymns this this approach.

Free-use hymns

Amazing Grace

Before the Day's Last Moment's Fly (particularly for Evening Prayer)

Bread of the World in Mercy Broken - with a Eucharistic focus

Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy

Depth of Mercy - Wesley

Give to our God Immortal Praise

God of Compassion in Mercy Befriend Us (appears to be public domain in the USA, but not yet in other countries)

God of Mercy and Compassion - original words are particularly suitable for Lent

Have Mercy on Us (God Most High, Who lift our hearts to Thee; Have mercy on us worms of earth)

Let us with a Gladsome Mind

Mercy's Free

O Merciful Redeemer

Sweet Heart of Jesus, Fount of Love and Mercy

The Mercy of God is an Ocean Divine

There Shall be Showers of Blessing

There's a Wideness in God's Mercy

Thy Mercy Free

Thy Mercy My God is the Theme of my Song

Vaster Far Than any Ocean

Free use hymns about mercy, but not the Father's mercy

Hail Mother of Mercy

Mother of Mercy Day by Day

Hail, Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria!

Salve Regina

Hymns about mercy that are or may be copyright

A Song of Hope - Foley

Be Merciful - Haugen

Be Merciful O Lord - settings by Joncas, Willcock

Blessed the Merciful

The official song of World Youth Day 2016 - copyright status, especially of the unofficial English translation, is unclear. More information.

Bread of the World in Mercy broken - Heber

Come as you Are - Brown

Come to my Mercy - DeCesare

Father of Mercy, God of Consolation - Quinn

Forgive Our Sins as we Forgive - Herklots

God of Mercy and Compassion - Hodgetts

God of Might and God of Mercy - Joncas (ref)

Heart of Jesus, Heart of Mercy - Herry

Hold us in Your Mercy - Callinan

Hold us in Your Mercy - Cooney / Daigle

Let us be Love - Bergin

Let Your Mercy Be on Us (Psalm 33) - Haugen

Let Your Mercy Wash Over Us - Thomson

Lord Show us Your Mercy - Cotter

Lord we Turn to You for Mercy - Leckebusch

Mercy (As I kneel) - Redman / Myrin

Merciful God - Getty / Townshend

Misericordes sicut Pater! Costa/ Inwood

The official Jubilee Year song (words by Eugenio Costa SJ, tune by Paul Inwood) is copyright to the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. However it is likely that it can be freely used for the purpose of the Jubilee Year. Links to relevant files:

Sheet music in English (English / Latin)

Words in Italian / Latin (the original combination)

MP3 file (ie audio) (in Italian / Latin)

YouTube video (in Italian / Latin)

Various versions of the score - released by the composer