Out of the Deep I Call
Out of the deep I call
Out of the Deep I Call is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1602) in L.M. meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in ELH 453, lw 278, tlh 327. Sung to AUS TIEFER NOT.
This hymn expresses core Lutheran understanding of justification through grace alone, emphasizing human sinfulness and total dependence on God's mercy rather than works. It reflects the penitential tradition within Lutheranism while proclaiming the Gospel's assurance of forgiveness through Christ.
History & Background
Martin Behm's German hymn 'Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir' was first published in 1602 as a meditation on Psalm 130 and became significant in Lutheran worship. Catherine Winkworth's English translation appeared in her influential collection and became the standard English version for Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 453
- Lutheran Worship — 278
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 327
Translation
Bach Cantatas
- BWV 38: Out of deep need I cry to you (1724)
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm (1557–1622) wrote this from the Lutheran tradition of penitential hymnody. Set to the sturdy tune *Aus tiefer Not*, it proclaims sola gratia—grace alone—as the only answer to human sin and despair.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel dialectic: it names the sinner's desperate need and utter helplessness, then pivots to proclaim the sufficiency of divine grace—amplifying any sermon on justification, repentance, or the comfort of forgiveness in Christ.
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
TLH 327. Sir Henry Williams Baker's paraphrase of Psalm 130 (De profundis), first printed in the 1868 Appendix to Hymns Ancient & Modern, the book he edited. Julian calls it "a beautiful and tender paraphrase of the Psalm". In 56 hymnals. Tunes: ST. BRIDE (Samuel Howard, 1762), SOUTHWELL (Daman), ASTON. Short Metre. It sits naturally beside Luther's Psalm 130, "Aus tiefer Not" ("From Depths of Woe"), as the Anglican counterpart. From memory: Baker is also the author of "The King of love my Shepherd is", and his reported last words were its third stanza.
Overview
Henry Williams Baker's short paraphrase of Psalm 130, the De Profundis (compare Luther's TLH 329, 'From Depths of Woe'). Out of the deep I call before the throne of grace (st. 1); the deep of sin past and present (st. 2); the deep of fear and coming shame, pleading the precious name all night until morning (st. 3); there is mercy now as always (st. 4). Baker edited Hymns Ancient and Modern and wrote 'The King of Love My Shepherd Is.'
Central theme: Crying to God from the depths of sin and fear, and finding mercy at the throne of grace
Structure
Four short-meter quatrains; st. 1 and 4 frame with 'throne of grace… Be merciful to me.' Call (1) — deep of sin (2) — deep of fear (3) — mercy (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Law: 'woeful deep of sin'; 'evil now within'; 'dread of coming shame' (2-3). Gospel: 'there is mercy now'; 'the precious name' (3-4).
Confessional Connections
Ps 130 (TLH's text), one of the seven penitential psalms. St. 2, 'Of evil done in days gone by, / Of evil now within' — both actual sins and the original sin that remains in the baptized (Rom 7:18; AC II; FC I; Ap II.35-45). St. 3, 'I plead the precious name' — Christ's name (Acts 4:12; John 16:23). St. 4: 'But with you there is forgiveness' (Ps 130:4) — 'there is mercy now, as ever was' — the constancy of God's grace (Lam 3:22-23).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lent; Confession; funerals; penitential services.
Historical Notes
Baker (1821-1877), vicar of Monkland, chief editor of Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861). This paraphrase appeared in 1868.
About the Tune
SOUTHWELL (William Daman's Psalter, 1579).
Scripture References
Ps 130:1-8 Heb 4:16 Rom 7:18-24 Ps 130:6 Acts 4:12 Ps 130:4 Lam 3:22-23 Luke 18:13
Stanza by Stanza
Out of the depths I call to you, Lord, to you. I fall before your throne of grace; be merciful to me.
'Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!' (Ps 130:1). 'Let us… draw near to the throne of grace' (Heb 4:16).
- Scripture
- Ps 130:1-2, Heb 4:16
- Imagery & language
- Deep; throne of grace; mercy.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — access to grace.
- Connection to previous
- The call.
Out of the depths I cry, the miserable depths of sin, of evil done in the past and evil now within;
'If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?' (Ps 130:3). 'Nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh' (Rom 7:18). AC II: original sin remains.
- Scripture
- Ps 130:3, Rom 7:18-24
- Imagery & language
- Deep of sin; past evil; evil within.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — actual and original sin.
- Connection to previous
- Deep of sin.
out of the depths of fear and dread of coming shame; all night until the morning watch comes, I plead the precious name.
'My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning' (Ps 130:6). 'No other name' (Acts 4:12). Praying in Jesus' name (John 16:23).
- Scripture
- Ps 130:5-6, Acts 4:12, John 16:23
- Imagery & language
- Fear; coming shame; night watch; precious name.
- Law / Gospel
- Law — fear; Gospel — the Name.
- Connection to previous
- Deep of fear.
Lord, there is mercy with you now, as there always was. I bow before your throne of grace; be merciful to me.
'But with you there is forgiveness' (Ps 130:4). 'With the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption' (Ps 130:7). 'His mercies never come to an end' (Lam 3:22).
- Scripture
- Ps 130:4, Ps 130:7, Lam 3:22-23
- Imagery & language
- Mercy now and ever; throne of grace.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — mercy unchanging.
- Connection to previous
- Mercy now.
Themes
Repentance and forgiveness God's mercy and grace Cry from despair to hope Divine compassion Sin and redemption