"Oh, How Great is Thy Compassion"
                           by Johann Olearius
           Translated by August Crull, 1845-1923
                                  Text From:
                       THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
        (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)



        1. Oh, how great is Thy compassion,
        Faithful Father, God of grace,
        That with all our fallen race
        And in our deep degradation
        Thou wast merciful that we
        Might be saved eternally!

        2. Thy great love for this hath striven
        That we may from sin be free
        And forever live with Thee;
        Yea, Thy Son Himself hath given
        And extends an earnest call
        To His Supper unto all.

        3. And for this our soul's salvation
        Voucheth Thy good Spirit, Lord,
        In Thy Sacraments and Word.
        He imparts true consolation,
        Granteth us the gift of faith
        That we fear nor hell nor death.

        4. Lord, Thy mercy will not leave me,-
        Truth doth evermore abide,-
        Then in Thee I will confide.
        Since Thy Word cannot decive me,
        My salvation is to me
        Well assured eternally.

        5. I will praise Thy great compassion,
        Faithful Father, God of grace,
        That with all our fallen race
        And in our deep degradation
        Thou wast merciful that we
        Might bring endless praise to Thee.

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        Notes:
        Hymn #384 from The Lutheran Hymnal
        Text: 2 Cor. 9:15
        Author: Johann Olearius, 1671
        Translated by: August Crull, 1923, alt.
        Titled: "Ach, wie gross ist deine Gnade"
        Tune: "Ach, was soll ich Suender machen"
        1st Published in: "Hirtenlieder"
        Town: Altdorf, 1653
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        This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
        by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain.  You may
        freely distribute, copy or print this text.  Please direct any
        comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther
        Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.

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