FROM DEPTHS OF WOE I RAISE TO
THEE
—Martin Luther [Scripture Allusion—Psalm 130:1]
From depths of woe I raise to
Thee
The voice of lamentation;
Lord, turn a gracious ear to
me
And hear my supplication;
If Thou iniquities dost mark,
Our secret sins and misdeeds
dark,
O who shall stand before
Thee?
To wash away the crimson
stain,
Grace, grace alone availeth;
Our works, alas! are all in vain;
In much the best life faileth:
No man can glory in Thy
sight,
All must alike confess Thy
might,
And live alone by mercy.
Therefore my trust is in the
Lord,
And not in mine own merit;
On Him my soul shall rest,
His Word
Upholds my fainting spirit:
His promised mercy is my
fort,
My comfort, and my sweet
support;
I wait for it with patience.
What though I wait the
livelong night,
And till the dawn appeareth,
My heart still trusteth in
His might;
It doubteth not nor feareth:
Do thus, O ye of
Ye of the Spirit born indeed;
And wait till God appeareth.
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 Shepherd good and true is
He,
Who will at last His Israel free.
From all
their sin and sorrow.