The Family Altar

October 30.

"Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord." Psalm 130:1

An incomparable hymn, based on Psalm 130, was composed

by Luther in the year 1523. It is sung all over the world, even

by the Komanists, and, translated into English, reads as follows : —

Out of the depths I cry to Thee,

Lord, hear my lamentation;

Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,

And grant my supplication;

For if Thou fix Thy searching eye

On all sin and iniquity,

Who, Lord, can stand before Thee?

But love and grace with Thee prevail,

0 God, our sins forgiving;

The best and holiest deeds must fail

Of all before Thee living;

Before Thee none can boasting stand,

But all must fear Thy strict demand,

And live alone by mercy.

My hope I rest, then, on the Lord,

And build not on my merit;

My heart shall trust His gracious Word,

His goodness stays my spirit.

His precious Word assureth me,

He will my Joy and Comfort be;

This is my firm reliance.

And though it tarry till the night

And till the morn appeareth,

My heart still trusteth in His might,

It doubteth not, nor feareth.

Do thus, O ye of Israel's seed,

Ye of the Spirit born indeed,

Wait for your God's appearing.

Though great our sins and sore our woes,

His grace much more aboundeth;

His helping love no limit knows,

Our utmost need it soundeth,

Our Shepherd is the Lord, and He

At last shall set His Israel free

From all their sin and sorrow.