Lyrics: Martin Luther, translated to English verse by Richard Massie, 1854.
Music: AUS TIEFER NOT by Martin Luther, 1524, arranged by Johann Walther, 1524. J.S. Bach later wrote a cantata (#38) based on Luther’s melody and text.
Theme:
Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psalm 130
Dr. Louis and Kimberly Schuler: “AUS TIEFER NOT is one of the greatest chorale melodies and fits the text of Psalm 130, “From Depths of Woe I Raise to Thee” as well as any melody that we know. The opening drop of the fifth and subsequent ascending fifth is a beautiful depiction of being brought out of the depths of woe.”
Nevertheless, I rather imagine the (young) people who chose this hymn as one of their favorites in my poll were familiar with the Indelible Grace version, music by Christopher Minor. In fact, Amanda sent me a link to the Indelible Grace version.
Martin Luther: “Next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our hearts, minds and spirits. A person who does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs!”
Donald Sheley: “Psalm 130 is a penitential psalm. It starts at the lowest depths of despair, but it progresses steadily upward until, at the end there is encouragement for many from the experience of one. And in this sense Psalm 130 is in itself is a literal Song of Ascents. It climbs from the abyss of depression to the high ground of steadfast hope.”
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 Israel’s seed,
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.
Here’s a different translation by Arthur Tozer Russel.
And this translation by Catherine Winkworth seems to be the standard Lutheran version. It starts out: “From depths of woe I cry to thee . . . ”
Sources:
The Center for Church Music: Martin Luther.
Sermon: Martin Luther’s Favorite Psalm by Pastor Donald Sheley.
Sherry, our congregation sings this to the AUS TIEFER NOT tune. It is incredible how appropriate it has been during some deep waters that we’ve gone through together. Sometimes there is nothing quite so satisfying as an ancient hymn in a minor key.
At our PCA church we sing this to the tune by Indelible Grace. Love it.