1 Out of the depths I cry to Thee;
Lord, hear me I implore Thee!
Thy gracious ear incline to me;
My prayer let come before Thee.
On my misdeeds in mercy look
O deign to blot them from Thy book
Or who can stand before Thee?

2 Thy love and grace alone avail
To blot out my transgression;
The best and holiest deeds must fail
To break sin's dread oppression.
Before Thee none can boasting stand,
But all must fear Thy strict demand
And live alone by mercy.

3 Therefore my hope is in the Lord
And not in mine own merit;
It rests upon His faithful Word
to them of contrite spirit
That He is merciful and just--
This is my comfort and my trust.
His help I wait with patience.

4 And though it tarry till the night
And till the morning waken,
My heart shall never doubt His might
Nor count itself forsaken.
Do thus, O ye of Israel's seed,
Ye of the Spirit born indeed;
Wait for your God's appearing.

5 Where'er the greatest sins abound,
By grace they are exceeded;
Thy helping hand is always found
With aid where aid is needed.
Our Shepherd good and true is He
Who will at last His Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.