Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir

Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir. Martin Luther. [Ps. cxxx.] This beautiful, though free, version of Psalm 130 was written in 1523. Psalm 130 was a great favourite with Luther, one of those he called Pauline Psalms (the others being Psalms 32, 51, and 143). With its versification he took special pains, and the final result ranks with the finest of German Psalm versions. It first appeared in 4 stanzas of 7 lines in Etlich cristlich lider (Wittenberg, 1524) and in Eyn Enchiridion (Erfurt, 1524). The form now in use, considerably altered and with stanza ii rewritten as stanzas ii and iii, appeared in the Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn (Wittenberg, 1524) in 5 stanzas, was included as No. 1 in Luther's Christliche Geseng zum Begrebnis (Wittenberg, 1542), and since in almost all German hymn-books.

The fine melody (known as De profundis or Luther's 130th) is possibly by Luther, and first appeared with the 5-stanza form in 1524. The hymn was sung on May 9, 1525, at the funeral of the Elector Friedrich the Wise; by the weeping multitude at Halle on February 20, 1546, when Luther's body was being taken to Wittenberg; and as the last hymn in the Cathedral at Strasburg before the city was captured by the French in 1681.

Translations in Common Use:

1. Out of the deep I cry to Thee, My (or "Out of the depths I cry to Thee, Lord, look"). B. Latrobe (Moravian Hymn Book, 1789).
2. From deep distress to Thee I pray. Dr. H. Mills (Horae Germanicae, 1845).
3. Out of the depths, O Lord. Paraphrase by Miss Fry (Hymns of the Reformation, 1845).
4. Out of the deep I cry to Thee, O Lord God. A. T. Russell (Psalms & Hymns, 1851).
5. From depths of woe I raise to Thee. R. Massie (Martin Luther's Spiritual Songs, 1854).
6. Out of the depths I cry to Thee, Lord God! oh hear my prayer. Catherine Winkworth (Lyra Germanica, 1855).
7. Out of the depths I cry to Thee, Lord God, O hear my wailing. New Congregational Hymn Book (1859).
8. Almighty God! I call to Thee. American Episcopal Hymns for Church & Home (1860).
9. Out of the depths I cry to Thee, Lord hear me. Catherine Winkworth (Chorale Book for England, 1863).
10. In deep distress I cry to Thee, O Lord, my God. Signed F. C. C. in Pagenstecher's Collection (1864).
11. From lowest depths I cry to Thee. E. Massie (Sacred Odes, 1867).
12. Out of the depths I cry to Thee, Lord, mark my lamentation. Ohio Lutheran Hymnal (1880).

Translations not in Common Use:
Versions by Miles Coverdale (1539), Gude and Godly Ballates (1568), J. C. Jacobi (1722), J. Anderson (1846), Dr. J. Hunt (1853), Dr. G. Macdonald (1867), N. L. Frothingham (1870), Church of England Magazine (1872), and E. Walter (1884).