From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee
From depths of woe I cry to thee
From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee is a hymn text by Martin Luther (1524) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in CW93 305, ELH 452, elw 295, lbw 295. Sung to AUS TIEFER NOT.
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran theology by depicting the sinner's desperate cry for mercy and God's gracious response through Christ's atonement, emphasizing justification by faith alone. It reflects Luther's emphasis on honest acknowledgment of sin coupled with absolute trust in divine forgiveness rather than human works.
History & Background
Martin Luther composed this penitential hymn in 1524, basing it on Psalm 130 (De Profundis) and publishing it in early Lutheran hymnals. It became one of the most enduring texts of the German Reformation and a cornerstone of Lutheran hymnody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 305
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 452
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 295
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 295
- Lutheran Service Book — 607
- Lutheran Worship — 230
- Trinity Hymnal — 399
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 329
Translation
Bach Cantatas
- BWV 38: Out of deep need I cry to you (1724)
Bulletin Note
Luther's penitential masterpiece (1524), based on Psalm 130. This reformation-era hymn crystallizes Lutheran theology: the sinner's honest cry meets the cross's absolute grace, binding Law and Gospel into one liberating proclamation.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel dialectic Luther championed: it names sin's desperation while proclaiming Christ's redemptive sufficiency, making it a powerful companion to any sermon on justification by faith alone.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From human despair and sinfulness (Law) through God's pardoning grace (Gospel) to confident hope in God's redemption
Background Research
Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 130 (De profundis), probably written in 1523. He wrote it in 1523 as an example he hoped other poets, theologians and musicians would follow. Two versions: four stanzas in the Achtliederbuch and Erfurt Enchiridion (1524), and five stanzas in Walter's Wittenberg choir book. The fifth expands the grace theme; scholars debate whether the shorter form is Luther's or an editor's cut. St 2 ('with Thee counts nothing but Thy grace / to cover all our sin') makes the psalm a confession of justification by grace alone, the key line for analysis. It was linked to Confession in the Small Catechism, became a funeral favourite, and was sung at Luther's own funeral in Halle (February 1546). Melodies: Zahn 4437 and Zahn 4438 (possibly 15th c., adapted by Dachstein 1524). The LSB study credits the Phrygian tune to Luther himself and points out the text-painting: the melody falls on 'depths'. Bach: cantata BWV 38 (1724); the six-voice organ setting with double pedal BWV 686, and BWV 687, in Clavier-Übung III. Mendelssohn: Organ Sonata Op. 65 no. 3.
Sources: Wikipedia 'Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir'; LCMS Worship, The Word in Song: Hymn of the Day Studies (study by Randall P. Wurschmidt).
In the Church Year
Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Ash Wednesday; Trinity 21
Suggested in the one-year series
- Ash Wednesday (7×)
- Trinity 21 (4×)
- Trinity 11 (3×)
- Trinity 3 (1×)
- Trinity 4 (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Ash Wednesday (8×)
- Lent 4 (1×)
- Proper 12 (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 130, one of his earliest hymns and among his most important. Luther counted Psalm 130 among the 'Pauline psalms' because it teaches that forgiveness comes by grace, not merit. The hymn cries from the depths and asks who could stand if God kept account of sin (st. 1); confesses that only grace avails and the best deeds fail (st. 2); rests hope on God's Word, not our merit (st. 3); waits through the night without doubting (st. 4); and ends with grace abounding more than sin (st. 5). Stanza 2, which Luther added to the psalm, is the Reformation's doctrine of justification in miniature. The hymn was sung at Luther's funeral procession in Halle in 1546.
Central theme: Justification by grace alone, apart from works, received by waiting faith that rests on God's Word
Structure
Five seven-line stanzas (8.7.8.7.8.8.7) following Ps 130: depths (v. 1-3 → st. 1); forgiveness (v. 4 → st. 2, greatly expanded); hope in the Word (v. 5 → st. 3); waiting (v. 6 → st. 4); plenteous redemption (v. 7-8 → st. 5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'If Thou rememberest each misdeed… who may abide?'; 'the best and holiest deeds must fail'; 'all must fear Thy strict demand' (1-2). Gospel: grace alone, mercy, the Word's promise, grace abounding (2-5).
Confessional Connections
AC IV: justification by grace for Christ's sake through faith, not by works. AC XX: good works cannot merit forgiveness. Ap IV: the Law always accuses; even the saints live by mercy. Faith rests on the Word of promise (Ap IV.262-263). Smalcald Articles cite Ps 130 and Ps 143:2.
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lent; Confession; Reformation; Ash Wednesday; funerals; Trinity 21 and 22 (historic Hymn of the Day).
Historical Notes
Written 1523, first printed in the Achtliederbuch (1524) and Walter's Gesangbüchlein. Bach based Cantata 38 on it. It was sung as Luther's body passed through Halle on the way to Wittenberg (1546).
About the Tune
AUS TIEFER NOT (Phrygian; attributed to Luther, 1524).
Scripture References
Ps 130 Ps 143:2 Rom 3:20, 27-28 Isa 64:6 Eph 2:8-9 Ps 51:17 Rom 4:5 Lam 3:25-26 Isa 40:31 John 3:5 Rom 5:20 John 10:11 Ps 25:22 Titus 2:14
Stanza by Stanza
From the depths of distress I cry to you, Lord; hear me, I beg you; bend your gracious ear to me and let my prayer come before you. If you remember every misdeed and give each its due, who could stand in your presence?
Ps 130:1-3. 'Depths' — the abyss of guilt and distress. The cry is addressed to God's 'gracious ear' — prayer assumes grace. The decisive question: 'If Thou rememberest each misdeed… who may abide?' (Ps 130:3; Ps 143:2, 'no one living is righteous before you'). The Law's verdict: no one can stand on his record. This prepares the Gospel answer of st. 2.
- Scripture
- Ps 130:1-3, Ps 143:2, Rom 3:10-20, Jonah 2:2
- Imagery & language
- Depths; cry; ear; scales of judgment.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — no one can stand before God's reckoning.
- Connection to previous
- The cry.
Only your love and grace can blot out my transgression; the best and holiest deeds must fail to break sin's dreadful oppression. No one can stand before you boasting, but all must fear your strict demand and live by mercy alone.
Luther's great addition, expanding Ps 130:4 ('with you there is forgiveness'). 'Grace alone avail' — sola gratia. 'The best and holiest deeds must fail' — even the saints' works cannot justify (Isa 64:6; Rom 3:20; Ap IV). 'Before Thee none can boasting stand' (Rom 3:27; Eph 2:9). 'Live alone by mercy' — this is the whole Christian life, not just its beginning. AC IV and XX in seven lines.
- Scripture
- Ps 130:4, Isa 64:6, Rom 3:20, 27-28, Eph 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Gal 2:16
- Imagery & language
- Holiest deeds failing; no boasting.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — works fail; Gospel — mercy alone.
- Connection to previous
- The Reformation stanza.
Therefore my hope is in the Lord and not in my own merit; it rests on his faithful Word to the contrite, that he is merciful and just. This is my comfort and my trust; I wait patiently for his help.
Ps 130:5: 'in his word I hope.' 'Not in mine own merit' — the explicit rejection of merit (AC IV). Hope 'rests upon His faithful Word' — faith clings to the promise, not to feelings or works (Rom 10:17). The promise is 'to them of contrite spirit' (Ps 51:17; Isa 57:15). 'Merciful and just' — God is just in justifying through Christ (Rom 3:26; 1 John 1:9).
- Scripture
- Ps 130:5, Ps 51:17, Isa 57:15, Rom 3:26, 1 John 1:9, Rom 4:5
- Imagery & language
- Hope in the Word, not merit.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — hope in God's promise.
- Connection to previous
- Hope.
And though his help delays till night and until morning wakes, my heart will never doubt his power or think itself forsaken. Do likewise, you of Israel's seed, you who are truly born of the Spirit; wait for your God's appearing.
Ps 130:6: 'more than watchmen for the morning.' Faith waits even when help is delayed (Lam 3:25-26; Isa 40:31). 'Israel's seed… of the Spirit born' — the true Israel is the Church of believers, born of the Spirit (John 3:5; Gal 3:29; Rom 2:29). Waiting is not doubt but trust.
- Scripture
- Ps 130:6, Lam 3:25-26, Isa 40:31, John 3:5, Gal 3:29, Rom 2:28-29
- Imagery & language
- Night watch; morning; Israel.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — patient faith.
- Connection to previous
- Waiting.
Though our sins are great and our sorrows heavy, his grace abounds much more; his helping love has no limit and reaches our deepest need. He is our good and true Shepherd, who will at last free his Israel from all their sin and sorrow.
Ps 130:7-8: 'with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.' 'His grace much more aboundeth' — Rom 5:20: 'where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.' Grace exceeds sin. Christ the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) will 'at last' free Israel — the final redemption (Titus 2:14).
- Scripture
- Ps 130:7-8, Rom 5:20, John 10:11, Titus 2:14, Ps 25:22
- Imagery & language
- Abounding grace; Shepherd.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — grace greater than sin.
- Connection to previous
- Final comfort.
Themes
Repentance and forgiveness God's mercy and grace Justification by faith Cry for deliverance Hope in Christ