From deepest woe

From deepest woe we cry to you
God, hear us, we implore you!
Bend down your gracious ear to us;
We lay our sins before you.
If you remembered every sin,
if nought but just reward we win,
could we abide your presence?

You grant us pardon through your love;
your grace alone avails.
Our works could ne'er our guilt remove;
yea, e'en the best life fails.
For none may boast themselves of aught,
but must confess your grace has wrought
whate'er in them is worthy.

And thus our hope is in our God,
and not in our own merit;
We rest upon God's faithful word
to them of contrite spirit.
That God is merciful and just,
here is our comfort and our trust;
God's help we wait with patience.

Martin Luther, words and music
Sequence: Cathouse Pandemonium, Ltd