1000 Songs/Out of the Depths I Cry (Martin Luther)

Out of the depths I cry (Martin Luther)

1000 Songs

Author
Martin Luther (1483-1546) wrote this particular hymn in 1524. A good resource for Luther's hymnal writings can be found here.

Translations/Challenges
This hymn was originally written in German, however there are a couple of translations into English that can be found. The translation done by Catherine Winkworth can be found here, whereas the translation by Gracia Grindal can be found here.

Editor's Choice
Out of the depths I cry to Thee

O Lord, now hear me calling

Incline Your ear to my distress

In spite of my rebelling

Do not regard my sinful deeds

Send me the grace my spirit needs

Without it I am nothing

Thou grantest pardon through Thy love

Thy grace alone availeth

Our works could ne’er our guilt remove

Yea, e’en the best life faileth

For none may boast himself of aught

But must confess Thy grace hath wrought

Whate’er in him is worthy

It is in God that we shall hope

And not in our own merit

I rest upon His faithful Word

To them of guilty spirit

That He is merciful and just

Here is my comfort and my trust

His help I wait with patience

Tune
The tune to this hymn is called Aus Tiefer Not.

Arrangements
There are two arrangements of this hymn that differ slightly. This one is from the "Hymanl 1982: according to the Episcopal Church." This one is from the "Lutheran Service Book." There are slight wording changes as well as the Lutheran arrangement having two extra verses not included in the Hymnal 1982.