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:

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.

Alternate Title: Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Lyrics: Phillip P. Bliss, 1875.
Music: Phillip P. Bliss.
Alternate tune by Phelps Anderson and Jim Hitch at igracemusic.com (Indelible Grace).
I prefer Mr. Bliss’s original tune for this hymn.
Theme:

Ira Sankey: “A few weeks before his death Mr. Bliss visited the State prison at Jackson, Michigan, where, after a very touching address on ‘The Man of Sorrows,’ he sang this hymn with great effect. Many of the prisoners dated their conversion from that day.”

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Sources:
Sankey, Ira David. My Life and the Sto­ry of the Gospel Hymns. Harper & Brothers, 1906.

Alternate title: Promised Land

Lyrics: Samuel Stennett, 1787.
Music: PROMISED LAND, arranged by Rigdon M. Mcintosh, 1895 is the traditional tune for this hymn.
This minor key tune by Miss M. Durham called THE PROMISED LAND is similar to the one above and may have come before it.
Here’s a tune called JORDAN”S SHORE by J.T. White.
William Walker’s Sacred Harp tune is called SWEET PROSPECT.
Or listen to the Indelible Grace version here, music by Christopher Miner. (This tune is also sung by Jars of Clay on the album Redemption Songs.)

Theme: The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. Joshua 3:17

On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan’s fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.

Chorus:
I am bound for the promised land;
I am bound for the promised land.
Oh, who will come and go with me?
I am bound for the promised land.
OR I am bound, I am bound,
I am bound for the promised land.
I am bound, I am bound,
I am bound for the promised land.

O the transporting, rapturous scene,
That rises to my sight;
Sweet fields arrayed in living green,
And rivers of delight!

There generous fruits that never fail,
On trees immortal grow;
There rocks and hills, and brookd and vales,
With milk and honey flow.

O’er all those wide extended plains
Shines one eternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away.

No chilling winds,nor poisonous breath,
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more.

When shall I reach that happy place,
And be forever blest?
When shall I see my Father’s face,
And in his bosom rest?

Filled with delight, my raptured soul
Would here no longer stay:
Though Jordan’s waves around me roll,
I’d fearless launch away.

Here’s another version of the lyrics (and tune) found in William Walker’s Baptist Harmony.

On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan’s fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.

To see the righteous marching home and the angels bid them come,
And Jesus stands awaiting, to welcome travelers home,
To welcome travelers home, to welcome travelers home.
And Jesus stands awaiting, to welcome travelers home.

Samuel Stennett was an eighteenth century Baptist minister in London. He also wrote the hymn Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned, a hymn my mother was just telling me the other day was one of her favorites. Stennett wrote the verses to this hymn, and it’s been paired with several refrains, especially variations on “I am Bound for the Promised Land.”

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby, 1880.
Music: John R. Sweney.
Theme: Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31

Fanny Crosby at age 90: “My love for the Holy Bible and its sacred truth is stronger and more precious to me at ninety than at nineteen.”

PJ MIller: “There are days in which I need to be reminded of the Story of Jesus, and nothing more. Not studying theology, or the finer points of doctrine can take the place of just recalling the simple story of Jesus.”

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain:
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past.
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore.
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain.
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.

This first appearance of Fanny Crosby as lyricist on this list will not be the last either. After all, the blind hymn writer wrote over 8000 hymns, and publishers used as many as 100 pseudonyms in attributing her hymns so that their hymnals would not seem to be dominated by Ms. Crosby’s hymns. It is said that as a child, since she learned the BIble from her grandmother who read to her, Fanny could repeat from memory the Pentateuch, the book of Ruth, many of the Psalms, the books of Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and much of the New Testament! Fanny Crosby knew the story of Jesus. And she used the medium of her day, the medium in which she was gifted, poetry, specifically hymn-writing, to tell the story of Jesus.

“This hymn and others were collected in a small hymnal titled Gospel Hymns and Sacred Solos that was incredibly popular. Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey made use of it in their New York crusades. In the spring of 1876 alone, it sold one million copies. Crowds would bring their personal copies to the rallies, and while they were waiting for the main event to begin, they would be prompted to sing and thus to tell the story of Jesus.” ~Rev. Scott Stapleton

While I was looking up information about this hymn on the web, I came across this website. If you’ve never really read or heard the simple story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, now would be an excellent time to remedy that deficiency. Everybody ought to know the story of Jesus.

Sources:
Hymn Stories: Tell Me the Story of Jesus.
WIkipedia: Fanny Crosby.
Believer’s Web: Frances Jane Crosby.
Sermon, June 26, 2008 by Rev. Scott Stapleton, Grace Trinity Church.

Lyrics: Haldor Lillenas, 1918.
Music: Haldor Lillenas.
Theme: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Refrain
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Now that’s a Southern Gospel quartet! And I think this hymn is popular, not only because it has simple, wonderful words of praise, but also because it’s so much fun to sing.

Author and composer Haldor Lillenas was born in Norway, but came to the United States as a young boy. He was confirmed in the Lutheran Church as a young man, but he later became a Church of the Nazarene preacher and song leader. He wrote over 4000 hymns and spiritual songs, but this one is probably his most popular and enduring.

Sources:
101 More Hymn Stories by Keneth Osbeck.
Glimpses of Christian History: Haldor Lillenas and the Matchless Grace of Jesus.

Lyrics: WIlliam Cowper
Music: DUNDEE, Scottish Psalter, 1615. It’s also sung to several other alternate tunes.
I rather like this tune setting available at Sovereign Grace Ministries, where you can hear a sample verse.
Theme:

Rebecca Writes: I have to include one of Cowper’s hymns and this is the best of William Cowper. Cowper was a fine poet and it shows in this ode to God’s meticulous providence. This hymn reminds us that even trials work God’s good purposes—that ‘behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.’ Isn’t it ironic that a hymn teaching truth that brings me joy comes from a man who, in God’s providence, suffered from a debilitating mental illness that robbed him of joy for much of his life? It’s proof that God does indeed move in a mysterious way!

The hymn was first entitled Light Shining Out of Darkness.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

William Cowper did indeed have a difficult life. John Piper says of Cowper: “Struggle with despair came to be the theme of his life.” He struggled with depression before he became a Christian, and after his conversion, he still had periods o f deep despair in which he thought that God could and would save other but that he, Cowper, had committed the unforgiveable sin and was doomed to eternal damnation.

John Newton, the author of the hymns Glorious Things of THee Are Spoken and Amazing Grace, became Cowper’s pastor and friend. Newton encouraged Cowper to write hymn lyrics.

Cowper also wrote these lines from another favorite hymn:

There is a fountain fill’d with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plung’d beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.

And here’s a link to another of Cowper’s Olney Hymns: O For a Closer Walk With God! The words are quite poignant in light of Cowper’s struggles with depression and his belief that God had rejected him.

I think God Moves in a Mysterious Way is the best poem of all the lyrics on the list so far. I particularly like the second and the last stanzas:
Deep in unfathomable mines/ Of never failing skill . . .
God is His own interpreter . . .
Surely, we can trust that God in His providence was able to keep Mr. Cowper’s soul secure in His grace in spite of Cowper’s inability to feel and have assurance of that grace.

Sources;
Insanity and Spiritual Songs in the Soul of a Saint: Reflections on the Life of William Cowper by John Piper.
Poets.org: William Cowper.
Fire and Ice: Poetry.