De profundis

De profundis - out of the depths. It comes from the Psalm 130: Out of the depths I cry to thee - the Lenten hymn "From deepest woe I cry to thee" in the Episcopal hymnal is but one musical setting of this psalm.

The Estonian composer Arvo Part wrote this moving 4-part piece based on the psalm in 1980. Close your eyes and listen:

The Psalm's text:

1	Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice; *     let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2	If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *     O LORD, who could stand?
3	For there is forgiveness with you; *     therefore you shall be feared.

4	I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *     in his word is my hope.
5	My soul waits for the LORD, more than watchmen for the morning, *     more than watchmen for the morning.
6	O Israel, wait for the LORD, *     for with the LORD there is mercy;
7	With him there is plenteous redemption, *     and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.