Lyrics
Out of the depths I cry to You,
Lord, hear my voice of pleading;
Bend down Your gracious ear, I pray,
Your humble servant heeding.
If You remember each misdeed,
And of each thought and word take heed,
Who can remain before You?
Only by grace, by grace alone.
Your pardon is a gift of love,
Your grace alone must save us,
Our works will not remove our guilt,
The strictest life would fail us.
Let none in their own merits boast,
But let us own the Holy Ghost
For He alone can change us:
Only by grace, by grace alone.
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 will set all His people free
From all their sin and sorrow:
Only by grace, by grace alone.
Song History & Meaning
Composer / Hymnodist: Martin Luther
When we look honestly at our own hearts, we realize how desperately we need God's mercy. None of our own efforts or good deeds can bridge the gap created by our weakness and sin, yet God responds not with judgment, but with overwhelming love. This song gently invites us to lay down the heavy burden of trying to earn our salvation and simply rest in the gift of Jesus Christ. As we sing, may we be reminded that we are fully known, completely forgiven, and held forever by grace alone.
📖 Related Scripture Passages:
- Psalm 130:1-4: “Out of the depths I have cried to you, Yahweh. Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions. If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.”
- Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
- Romans 3:23-24: “for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;”