1 Alas, my God, my sins are great,
My conscience must upbraid me;
And now I find that at my strait
No human pow'r can aid me.
2 Were I to flee in my despair
In some lone spot to hide me,
My grief would still be with me there
And peace still be denied me.
3 I must, O Lord, by you be sought;
Oh, pity and restore me.
Just God, make not your wrath my lot;
Your Son has suffered for me.
4 If pain and woe must follow sin,
Then be my path still rougher.
Here spare me not; if heav'n I win,
On earth I gladly suffer.
5 But curb my heart, forgive me still,
Oh, make my patience firmer;
For they ignore your kindly will
Who at your chast'nings murmur.
6 All that you do is for my best;
Your grace will help me bear it
If but at last I see your rest
And with my Savior share it.
Source: Lutheran Worship #232
Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >
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