A selection of hymns and songs about God's mercy, compiled in preparation for the extra-ordinary Jubliee Year of Mercy 2015, which runs from December 2015 through to 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 is "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 part of the list 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.
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)
Mercy's Free
O Merciful Redeemer
Sweet Heart of Jesus, Fount of Love and Mercy
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
Mother of Mercy Day by Day
Hail, Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria!
The official song of World Youth Day 2016 - copyright status, especially of the unofficial English translation, is unclear. More information.
Come to my Mercy - DeCesare
Forgive Our Sins as we Forgive - Herklots
God of Mercy and Compassion - Hodgetts
Merciful God - Getty / Townshend
Misericordes sicut Pater!
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:
My Divine Mercy - Burke
Never Been Born - Fortuna
Suggestions about hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a comment below.
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 is "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 part of the list 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.
Suggested free-use hymns
Amazing GraceBefore 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)
Mercy's Free
O Merciful Redeemer
Sweet Heart of Jesus, Fount of Love and Mercy
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 MercyMother of Mercy Day by Day
Hail, Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria!
Hymns about mercy that are or may be copyright
Blessed the MercifulThe official song of World Youth Day 2016 - copyright status, especially of the unofficial English translation, is unclear. More information.
Come to my Mercy - DeCesare
Forgive Our Sins as we Forgive - Herklots
God of Mercy and Compassion - Hodgetts
Merciful God - Getty / Townshend
Misericordes sicut Pater!
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)
My Divine Mercy - Burke
Never Been Born - Fortuna
Suggestions about hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a comment below.