Evangelical Lutheran hymnal ‎#233

233. Out of the depths I cry to Thee

1 Out of the depths I cry to Thee,
Lord, mark my lamentation;
O bow Thine ear in grace to me,
And hear my supplication:
If Thou shouldst pass in close review
My sins and all the ill I do,
Lord, who can stand before Thee!

2 Works never can God's pardon gain,
Here grace alone availeth;
Our choicest works all have a stain,
The best among us faileth;
Before Thee none can boasting stand,
But all must fear Thy strict demand,
And live alone by mercy.

3 My hope I rest then on the Lord,
And build not on my merit;
My soul shall trust His gracious Word,
'Tis this upholds my spirit:
His promised mercy is my stay,
My joy and comfort day by day:
This is my firm reliance.

4 What though it tarry all the night
And till the dawn appeareth,
My heart still trusteth in His might,
It doubteth not, nor feareth:
So let the Israelite indeed,
Born of the Spirit, hope in need—
And wait, till God appeareth.

5 Although our sin be very great,
God's mercies far exceed it;
His hand can help, though sore the strait,
And great the grace that's needed:
He is the Shepherd of the sheep,
Who Israel doth guard and keep,
And save from sin and evil.

Text Information

• First Line: Out of the depths I cry to Thee
• Author: Dr. Martin Luther (1524)
• Translator: Richard Massie (1854)
• Meter: No. 20
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1908
• Topic: The Catechism: Repentance
• Source: Tr. Comp. based on Richard Massie's, 1854
• Notes: From the German text: Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir

Tune Information

• Name: STRASBURG (Herr, wie du willst, so schick's)
• Meter: No. 20
• Key: F Major
• Source: Unkonw, Strasburg, 1525