What Hope Have We, Before Our God?
What hope have we, before our God,
Knowing our wretched, sinful state?
Perfection is His meas’ring rod,
And all we have is what He hates.
No righteousness to call our own,
Nothing but filthy rags to boast.
But trusting in Christ’s work alone,
He saves us to the uttermost.
Our only hope, we do confess:
Jesus the Christ died in our place.
Now He supplies our righteousness,
Redeeming us from Adam’s race.
Now in our ears the gospel rings,
It’s drowning out our guilt and shame.
And to our hearts the Spirit brings
Pardon for sin in Jesus’ name.
In Christ alone we are justified,
Shielded from wrath by nail-scarred hands.
His cross provides a place to hide,
And a sure hope in which to stand.
This hymn is best sung to the HAMBURG tune ("When I Survey the Wondrous Cross").
