1 From depths of woe I cry to Thee,
Lord, hear me, I implore Thee.
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me;
my prayer let come before Thee.
If Thou rememb'rest every sin,
if naught but just reward we win,
could we abide Thy presence?
2 Thy love and grace alone avail
to blot out my transgression;
the best and holiest deeds must fail
to break sin's dread oppression.
Before Thee none can boasting stand,
but all must fear Thy strict demand
and live alone by mercy.
3 Therefore my hope is in the LORD
and not in mine own merit;
it rests 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 till the morning waken,
my heart shall never doubt His might
nor count itself forsaken.
Do thus, O ye of Adam's seed,
ye of the Spirit born indeed;
wait for your God's appearing.
5 Though great our time 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 people free
from all their sin and sorrow.
Source: Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #130
Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody.
i. Hymn Books.
1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >
Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >
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