From depths of woe I cry to you, in trial and tribulation; bend down your gracious ear to me; Lord, hear my supplication. If you remembered ev'ry sin, who then could heaven ever win, or stand before your presence?
Your love and grace alone avail to blot out my transgression; the best and holiest deeds will fail to break sin's dread oppression. Before you none can boasting stand, but all must fear your strict demand and live alone by mercy.
Therefore my hope is in the Lord and not in my own merit; it rests upon his faithful word to those of contrite spirit. That he is merciful and just: this is my comfort and my trust. His help I wait with patience.
And though it tarries through the night and till the morning waken, my heart shall never doubt his might, nor count itself forsaken. O Israel, trust in God your Lord! Born of the Spirit and the word, now wait for his appearing.
Though great our sins, yet greater still is God's abundant favor; his hand of mercy never will abandon us nor waver. Our Shepherd good and true is he, who will at last his people free from all their sin and sorrow.