Out of the Depths I Cry to You
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, Lord hear my crying
Luther's powerful paraphrase of Psalm 130, the De Profundis. The three stanzas move from the cry out of the depths, to the acknowledgment that no one can stand before God's justice, to the confident waiting for God's redemption. The movement from lament to hope is the theological heart of Lutheran spirituality.
History & Background
Martin Luther's paraphrase of Psalm 130 (De Profundis), written in 1524. One of Luther's finest hymns, expressing the penitent's cry from the depths and the confident hope of God's forgiveness. Translated into English by Gracia Grindal in 1978 for the LBW.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 600
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 295
Bach Cantatas
- BWV 38: Out of deep need I cry to you (1724)
Bulletin Note
Out of the Depths I Cry to You — Martin Luther, 1524
Preaching Connection
Psalm 130 — the De Profundis; appropriate for Lent, Ash Wednesday, funerals.
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
Themes
Psalm 130 Penitence Lament Hope