OUT OF THE DEPTHS TO THEE

Out of the depths to thee, O Lord, I cry,
Lord! Gracious turn thine ear to suppliant sigh;
If sins of man thou scannest, who may stand
That searching eye of thine, and chastening hand?
Oh, hear our prayers and sighs, Redeemer blest,
And grant thy holy souls eternal rest.
And let perpetual light upon them shine;
1 04
For though not spotless, still these souls are thine.

2. To be appeased in wrath, dear Lord, is thine;
Thou mercy with thy justice canst combine;
Thy blood our countless stains can wash away;
This is thy law, our hope and steadfast stay.

3. Pledged is thy word! However foul the sin,
Repentant sinner shall his pardon win;
Our souls shall ever hope, then Lord, in thee.
And ne’er despair, though great our crimes may be.

4. There is no moment of the night or day,
Where sinner contrite may not trustful say,
There is forgiveness! So let Israel sing
An endless song of hope to Israel’s King.

5. For mercy dwells enthroned with God on high,
And spurns not suppliant tear or humble cry;
So countless are the treasures of his store,
He can a thousand worlds redeem, and more.

6. This God himself shall come from heaven above,
The Christ! The God of mercy and of love!
He comes - he comes! The God Incarnate He!
And by his glorious death makes all men free.