Ob bei uns ist der Sünden viel,
Bei Gott ist viel mehr Gnade,
Sein’ Hand zu helfen hat kein Ziel,
Wie gross auch sei der Schade.
Er ist allein der gute Hirt,
Der Israel erlösen wird
Aus seinen Sünden allen.
A metrical version of Psalm 130. It is considered by many to be Luther’s best production and Julian ranks it with the finest German psalm versions. The hymn was first published in Luther’s Etlich Cristlich Lider, Wittenberg, 1524, and in his Eyn Enchiridion, Erfurt, 1524, in four stanzas. It was then rewritten and expanded into five stanzas and in this form published in Johann Walther’s Geystliche Gesangk Buchleyn, Wittenberg, 1524, and again in Luther’s later work, Christliche Geseng zum Begrebnis, Wittenberg, 1542. It is appropriate for use at a Christian burial, as well as other occasions, and was sung at Halle, in 1546, while Luther’s body was being brought from Eisleben to Wittenberg for burial.
The “depths” from which the psalmist cries to God for deliverance, are not so much physical and psychical as moral and spiritual. The writer is conscious of his sinfulness, as well as the sinfulness of his people and sees that there is no help except through penitence and acceptance of the mercy and forgiveness of God.
The first three stanzas from Catherine Winkworth’s translation were selected for use here.