By man came death, yet man its fetters breaketh,

God it o’ertaketh.

Shame and iniquity had whelm’d me over,

From head to foot no good couldst Thou discover;

For this in hell should I, with deep lamenting,

Be aye repenting.

But oh! the depth of love beyond comparing,

That brought Thee down from heaven, our burden bearing!

I taste all peace and joy that life can offer,

Whilst Thou must suffer!