Fountainview Academy - Depth of Mercy Lyrics
Lyrics
Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear me
The chief of sinners, spare?
Heaven find me on my knees
Hear my soul in passioned pleas
Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Now incline me to repent
Let me now my sins lament
Deeply my revolt deplore
Weep, believe and sin no more
Heaven find me on my knees
Hear my soul in passioned pleas
Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Heaven find me on my knees
Hear my soul in passioned pleas
Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved, mercy still reserved
Mercy still reserved for me?
Video
Depth of Mercy | Fountainview Academy | Official Cover
Meaning & Inspiration
Fountainview Academy released their official cover of "Depth of Mercy" on April 5, 2019, bringing fresh life to an enduring hymn that has profoundly resonated with countless souls for centuries. This rendition beautifully revives a powerful narrative of contrition and divine compassion, originally penned by the prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley in the 18th century. Wesley, known for his deep theological insight and poetic mastery, crafted these verses from a place of intense personal reflection on human sinfulness and God’s boundless grace. The hymn serves as a poignant prayer, articulating the raw plea of a person keenly aware of their transgressions and desperately seeking the Lord’s forgiveness, acknowledging their unworthiness while clinging to the hope of a mercy that transcends all human failings. It’s a timeless expression of evangelical truth, echoing the human condition described in Romans 3:23, where all have fallen short, yet finding solace in the unwavering promise of God’s redemptive love.
The true impact of Fountainview Academy’s "Depth of Mercy" lies not in intricate musical arrangements or vocal flourishes, but in its pure, unadulterated delivery of the hymn’s profound spiritual message. The clarity and reverence with which the words are presented allow the audience to fully engage with the weighty themes of sin, repentance, and God’s immense patience. The opening lines, "Depth of mercy, can there be / Mercy still reserved for me?" immediately cast a stark light on the human struggle with guilt and the earnest questioning of whether forgiveness is still possible after repeated transgressions. This sentiment mirrors the desperate cry of the tax collector in Luke 18:13, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" It is a testament to the fact that even for those who feel furthest from grace, the door to redemption remains open, much like the father’s arms awaiting the prodigal son in Luke 15. The subsequent inquiry, "Can my God His wrath forbear me / The chief of sinners, spare?" directly confronts the justice of God. This line is particularly striking, reflecting the Apostle Paul’s confession in 1 Timothy 1:15, where he identifies himself as the "chief of sinners," demonstrating that a deep awareness of one’s own fallen nature is often the precursor to seeking divine grace. It implicitly acknowledges God's righteous anger against sin (Psalm 7:11) while simultaneously appealing to His attribute of longsuffering and desire for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
The song then shifts from questioning to an active posture of humility and supplication: "Heaven find me on my knees / Hear my soul in passioned pleas." This imagery powerfully conveys a position of submission and vulnerability before God. Kneeling is a universal biblical gesture of reverence and fervent prayer, as seen throughout Scripture, from Solomon dedicating the temple (2 Chronicles 6:13) to Paul’s own prayers (Ephesians 3:14). The "passioned pleas" speak to a desperate, sincere heart, not merely a casual request, reflecting the fervent prayers of those like David in Psalm 51, who cried out for a clean heart and a renewed spirit. This profound yearning for spiritual transformation culminates in the petition, "Now incline me to repent / Let me now my sins lament / Deeply my revolt deplore / Weep, believe and sin no more." Here, the hymn moves beyond mere sorrow for consequences and into a true, godly sorrow that leads to genuine repentance, as described in 2 Corinthians 7:10. The recognition that even the desire to repent must be divinely prompted ("incline me to repent") aligns with Romans 2:4, where it states that God’s kindness leads to repentance. To "lament my sins" and "deplore my revolt" signifies a deep, heartfelt sorrow for having offended a holy God, not just regret for one's own discomfort. The resolution to "weep, believe and sin no more" encapsulates the essence of biblical conversion – a brokenness over sin, a trust in God’s redemptive power, and a firm resolve to turn away from unrighteousness, echoing Jesus’ command in John 8:11 to "go now and leave your life of sin." This isn't just a hopeful wish; it's a commitment to a transformed life, a testament to the liberating power of God's mercy that not only forgives but also empowers one to live anew, reflecting the hope found in Romans 6:4, of walking in newness of life. Fountainview Academy's rendition, therefore, is more than a musical piece; it is a spiritual invocation, a powerful reminder of God’s unending mercy and His desire for all to find forgiveness and a path to true change.