Eines wuensch ich mir vor allem andern.
Martin Luther, 1524.
Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1862.
Out of the depths I cry to Thee,
Lord, hear me, I implore Thee!
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
Let my prayer come before Thee!
If Thou remember each misdeed,
If each should have its rightful meed,
Who may abide Thy presence.
Our pardon is Thy gift; Thy love
And grace alone avail us.
Our works could ne'er our guilt remove,
The strictest life must fail us.
That none may boast himself of aught,
But own in fear Thy grace hath wrought
What in him seemeth righteous.
And thus my hope is in the Lord,
And not in mine own merit;
I rest upon His faithful word
To them of contrite spirit.
That He is merciful and just,--
Here is my comfort and my trust,
His help I wait with patience.
And though it tarry till the night,
And round till morning waken,
My heart shall ne'er mistrust Thy 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.
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 kind and faithful Shepherd, He,
Who shall at last set Israel free
From all their sin and sorrow.
Albert Knapp, 1829 (1823).
Tr. H. Brueckner, 1918.
One thing I above all others cherish,
For one thing I long and pray.
Though in sorrow's vale fond hopes may perish,
This will prove my staff and stay:
To behold the Man who, deeply sighing
And upon earth's bosom prostrate lying,
Drank the bitter cup of woe
Since the Father willed it so.
Ever shall my soul retain the vision
Of that Lamb, for sinners slain,
Pale and wounded, held in deep derision,
Hanging on the wood of pain,
Wrestling there in thirst and mortal anguish,
Lest my soul eternally should languish,
Being mindful, too, of me
When He died the world to free.
O Lord Jesus, keep me mindful ever
Of my guilt and of Thy grace.
Be it Thou all bonds of sin dost sever
And all blots of guilt efface.
Thou of night the brightest daylight makest,
And Thy lamb into Thy bosom takest,
As the Shepherd good and fair,
Nursing it with tender care.
I am Thine! Wilt Thou reply by saying,
"Thou forever shalt be mine!"
Cause Thy precious name, all fears allaying,
Brightly in my heart to shine!
Be with Thee all things begun and ended,
Who from earth to heaven hast ascended.
Yea, this shall, till life is spent,
Be our law and testament.