Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church ‎#317

317. Out of the depths I cry to Thee

1 Out of the depths I cry to Thee;
Lord, hear me, I implore Thee!
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
Let my prayer come before Thee!
If Thou remember each misdeed,
If each should have its rightful meed,
Who may abide Thy presence?

2 Our pardon is Thy gift; Thy love
And grace alone avail us.
Our works could ne'er our guilt remove,
The strictest life must fail us.
That none may boast himself of aught,
But own in fear Thy grace hath wrought
What in him seemeth righteous.

3 And thus my hope is in the Lord,
And not in mine own merit;
I rest upon His faithful word
To them of contrite spirit.
That He is merciful and just--
This is my comfort and my trust.
His help I wait with patience.

4 And though it tarry till the night,
And round till morning waken,
My heart shall ne'er mistrust Thy might,
Nor count itself forsaken.
Do thus, O ye of Israel's seed,
Ye of the Spirit born indeed,
Wait for your God's appearing.

5 Though great our sins and sore our woes,
His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows,
Our utmost need it soundeth.
Our kind and faithful Shepherd, He,
Who shall at last set Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Out of the depths I cry to Thee
• Author: Martin Luther (1524)
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1862)
• Meter: 8 7. 8 7. 8 8 7. Iambic
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1917
• Topic: The Christian Life: Repentance

Tune Information

• Name: AUS TIEFER NOTH
• Meter: 8 7. 8 7. 8 8 7. Iambic
• Incipit: 17122 123
• Key: G Major
• Source: Teutsch Kirchenampt, Strassburg, 1525