The Cyber Hymnal ‎#146

146. Alas, My God, My Sins Are Great

1. Alas! my God! my sins are great,
My conscience doth upbraid me;
And now I find that at my strait
No man hath power to aid me.

2. And fled I hence, in my despair,
In some lone spot to hide me,
My griefs would still be with me there,
Thy hand still hold and guide me.

3. Nay, Thee I seek—I merit naught,
Yet pity and restore me;
Be not Thy wrath, just God, my lot,
Thy Son hath suffered for me.

4. If pain and woe must follow sin,
Then be my path still rougher,
Here spare me not; if Heaven I win,
On earth I gladly suffer.

5. But curb my heart, forgive my guilt,
Make Thou my patience firmer,
For they must miss the good Thou wilt,
Who at Thy teachings murmur.

6. Then deal with me as seems Thee best,
Thy grace will help me bear it,
If but at last I see Thy rest,
And with my Savior share it.

Text Information

• First Line: Alas! my God! my sins are great
• Title: Alas, My God, My Sins Are Great
• German Title: Ach Gott und Herr, wie gross und scher
• Author: Johann Major (1613)
• Translator (from German): Catherine Winkworth
• Meter: 87.87
• Language: English
• Source: Chorale Book for England (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts and Green, 1863), number 107.
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: ACH GOTT UND HERR
• Adapter & Harmonizer: Johann S. Bach
• Meter: 87.87
• Incipit: 17655 67121 76716
• Key: A Major
• Source: As Hymnodus Sacer, edited by Christianus Galler (Leipzig, Germany: 1625)
• Copyright: Public Domain