Part 12
4. Therefore I will forever Give glory unto Thee, O Jesus, loving Savior, For what Thou didst for me. I’ll spend my breath in songs of thanks For Thy sad cry, Thy sufferings, Thy wrongs, Thy guiltless death.
5. Lord, let Thy woes, Thy patience, My heart with strength inspire To vanquish all temptations And spurn all base desire. This thought I fain would cherish most— What pain my soul’s redemption Hath Thee, O Savior, cost.
6. Whate’er may be the burden, The cross here on me laid, Be shame or want my guerdon, I’ll bear it with Thine aid. Give patience, give me strength to take Thee for my bright example And all the world forsake.
7. And let me do to others As Thou hast done to me: Love all men as my brothers And serve them willingly, With ready heart, nor seek my own, But as Thou, Lord, hast helped us, From purest love alone.
J. Gesenius, 1646; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
198
11, 11, 11, 5
Beloved Jesus, what law hast Thou broken That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken? Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession, Of what transgression?
2. They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee; With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee; They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee; They crucify Thee.
3. Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish? It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish; Yea, all the wrath, the woe Thou dost inherit, ’Tis I do merit.
4. What strangest punishment is suffered yonder? The Shepherd dies for sheep that love to wander; The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him, Who would not own Him.
5. The sinless Son of God must die in sadness; The sinful child of man may live in gladness; Man forfeited his life and is acquitted,— God is committed.
6. There was no spot in me by sin untainted; Sick with sin’s poison, all my heart had fainted; My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me, Such woe it wrought me.
7. O wondrous love, whose depth no heart hath sounded, That brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded! All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying While Thou wert dying.
8. O mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory! How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story? How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer? What dare I offer?
9. For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder Thy woes; Thy mercy still transcends our wonder. Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee! Can I requite Thee?
10. Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee; I will renounce whate’er doth vex or grieve Thee And quench with thoughts of Thee and prayers most lowly All fires unholy.
11. But since my own strength never will suffice me To crucify desires that still entice me, To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me And reign within me!
12. I think upon Thy mercy without ceasing, That earth’s vain joys to me no more be pleasing; To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor Henceforth forever.
13. Whate’er of earthly good this life may grant me I’ll risk for Thee; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me; I shall not fear what man can do to harm me Nor death alarm me.
14. But, worthless is my sacrifice, I own it; Yet, Lord, for love’s sake Thou wilt not disown it; Thou wilt accept my gift in Thy great meekness Nor shame my weakness.
15. And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven To me the crown of joy at last is given, Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee, I, too, shall praise Thee.
From the Latin of Anselm of Canterbury; J. Heermann, † 1647. C. Winkworth, tr., a.
199
7s 6 l
Go to dark Gethsemane, Ye that feel the Tempter’s power; Your Redeemer’s conflict see, Watch with Him one bitter hour; Turn not from His griefs away, Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
2. Follow to the judgment-hall, View the Lord of life arraigned; Oh, the wormwood and the gall! Oh, the pangs His soul sustained! Shun not suffering, shame, or loss; Learn of Him to bear the cross.
3. Calvary’s mournful mountain climb; There, adoring at His feet, Mark that miracle of time, God’s own sacrifice complete. “It is finished!” hear Him cry; Learn of Jesus Christ to die.
4. Early hasten to the tomb Where they laid His breathless clay; All is solitude and gloom,— Who hath taken Him away? Christ is risen! He meets our eyes. Savior, teach us so to rise.
James Montgomery, 1825.
200
C. M.
There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel’s veins, And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.
2. The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there have I, as vile as he, Washed all my sins away.
3. Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood Shall never lose its power Till all the ransomed Church of God Be saved to sin no more.
4. E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme And shall be till I die.
5. Then in a nobler, sweeter song I’ll sing Thy power to save, When this poor lisping, stammering tongue Lies silent in the grave.
W. Cowper, 1771.
201
7, 6, 8 l
O bleeding Head, and wounded, And full of pain and scorn, In mockery surrounded With cruel crown of thorn! O Head, once crowned with glory And heavenly majesty, But now despised and gory; Yet here I welcome Thee!
2. Men spit upon and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance, Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee And flee before Thy glance. How art Thou pale with anguish, With sore abuse and scorn! How does Thy visage languish Which once was bright as morn!
3. Now from Thy cheeks has vanished Their color once so fair; From Thy red lips is banished The splendor that was there. Pale Death, with cruel rigor, Bereaveth Thee of life; Thus losest Thou Thy vigor And strength in this sad strife.
4. My burden, in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me, For it was my transgression Which brought this woe on Thee. I cast me down before Thee, Wrath were my rightful lot; Have mercy, I implore Thee, Redeemer, spurn me not!
5. My Shepherd, now receive me! My Guardian, own me Thine! Great blessings Thou didst give me, O Source of gifts divine! Thy lips have often fed me With milk and sweetest food; Thy Spirit oft has led me To stores of heavenly good.
6. Here I will stand beside Thee, From Thee I will not part; O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart, When soul and body languish In death’s last fatal grasp, Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.
7. Naught ever so much blesses, So much rejoices me, As when in Thy distresses I take a part with Thee. All, well for me if lying Here at Thy feet, my Life, I, too, with Thee were dying And thus might end my strife!
8. Thanks from my heart I offer Thee, Jesus, dearest Friend, For all that Thou didst suffer; My good didst Thou intend. Ah! grant that I may ever To Thy truth faithful be; When soul and body sever, May I be found in Thee!
9. When hence I must betake me, Lord, do not Thou depart! O nevermore forsake me When death is at my heart! When soul and body languish, O leave me not alone, But take away mine anguish By virtue of Thine own!
10. Be Thou my Consolation And Shield when I must die; Remind me of Thy Passion When my last hour draws nigh. Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, Upon Thy cross shall dwell, My heart by faith enfold Thee. Who dieth thus dies well!
From the Latin of Bernard of Clairvaux; Paul Gerhardt, 1652.
202
L. M.
Enslaved by sin and bound in chains, Beneath its dreadful tyrant sway, And doomed to everlasting pains, We wretched, guilty captives lay.
2. Nor gold nor gems could buy our peace, Nor all the world’s collected store Suffice to purchase our release; A thousand worlds were all too poor.
3. Jesus, the Lord, the mighty God, An all-sufficient ransom paid. O matchless price! His precious blood For vile, rebellious traitors shed.
4. Jesus the sacrifice became To rescue guilty souls from hell; The spotless, bleeding, dying Lamb Beneath avenging Justice fell.
5. Amazing goodness! love divine! O may our grateful hearts adore The matchless grace; nor yield to sin, Nor wear its cruel fetters more!
Anne Steele, † 1778.
GOOD FRIDAY.
203
7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8
O Lamb of God most holy, Upon the cursed tree slain; E’er patient, meek, and lowly, Though heaped with hate and disdain. All sins Thou borest for us, Else had despair reigned o’er us, Have mercy on us, O Jesus!
2. O Lamb of God, most holy, Upon the cursed tree slain; E’er patient, meek, and lowly, Though heaped with hate and disdain. All sins Thou borest for us, Else had despair reigned o’er us, Have mercy on us, O Jesus!
3. O Lamb of God, most holy, Upon the cursed tree slain; E’er patient, meek, and lowly, Though heaped with hate and disdain. All sins Thou borest for us, Else had despair reigned o’er us, Thy peace be with us, O Jesus!
N. Decius, 1526; C. Winkworth, tr., a.
204
L. M.
When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast Save in the death of Christ, my God; All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
3. See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4. Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a tribute far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Isaac Watts, 1707, a.
205
7, 7, 6, 7, 7, 8
See, world, thy Life assailèd, On the accursed tree nailèd; Thy Savior sinks in death! The mighty Prince from heaven Himself hath freely given To shame and blows and cruel wrath.
2. Come hither now and ponder, ’Twill fill thy soul with wonder, Blood streams from every pore. Through grief whose depth none knoweth, From His great heart there floweth Sigh after sigh of anguish o’er.
3. Who is it that afflicts Thee? My Savior, what dejects Thee And causeth all Thy woe? Sin Thou committedst never, As we and our seed ever, Of deeds of evil naught dost know.
4. I, many times transgressing, In number far surpassing The sand upon the coast, I thus the cause have given That Thou with grief art riven And with afflictions’ scourging host.
5. I’ve done it, and deliver Me hand and foot forever Thou justly might’st to hell. The mocking to Thee offered, The scourging Thou hast suffered, My soul it was deserved it well.
6. The load Thou takest on Thee, That pressed so sorely on me Than stone more heavily. A curse, Lord, Thou becamest, Thus blessings for me claimest; Thy pain must all my comfort be.
7. Not death itself Thou fearest, As Surety Thou appearest For all my debts and me. For me Thy brow is crownèd With thorns, and Thou’rt disownèd By men and bear’st all patiently.
8. Into death’s jaws Thou springest, Deliverance to me bringest From such a monster dire. My death away Thou takest, Thy grave its grave Thou makest; O love, O unexampled fire!
9. I’m bound, my Savior, ever By ties most sacred never Thy service to forsake; With soul and body ever, With all my powers t’ endeavor, In praise and service joy to take.
10. Not much can I be giving In this poor life I’m living, But one thing do I say: Thy death and sorrows ever, Till soul from body sever, My heart remember shall for aye.
11. Before mine eyes I’ll place them And joyfully embrace them, Wherever I may be; They’ll be a glass revealing Pure innocence and sealing Love and unfeigned sincerity.
12. Of sin, how great the danger; How it excites God’s anger; How doth His vengeance burn; How sternly He chastiseth; How His wrath’s flood ariseth:— Shall I from all Thy suff’rings learn.
13. From them shall I be learning How I may be adorning My heart with quietness, And how I still should love them Whose malice aye doth move them To grieve me by their wickedness.
14. When tongues of bad men grieve me, Of peace and name deprive me, My restive heart I’ll still, Their evil deeds enduring, Of pardon free assuring My neighbor for his every ill.
15. Upon the cross I’ll nail me With Thee; when sins assail me Thou shalt my Refuge be. Forsaking sins that grieve Thee, Lord, let me never leave Thee, And let me find my strength in Thee.
16. Thy groaning and Thy sighing, Thy thousand tears and crying, That once were heard from Thee, They’ll lead me to Thy glory, Where I shall joy before Thee And evermore at rest shall be!
Paul Gerhardt, 1653; J. Kelly, tr., a.
206
L. M.
Thy soul, O Jesus, hallow me, Thy Spirit steep me all in Thee, Thy body, pierced by ruthless steel, My wretched soul and body heal.
2. The water from Thy side that poured For me a cleansing bath afford, And all Thy blood, with life divine, Revive this weakened heart of mine.
3. The sweat of death upon Thy face Deliver me from death’s embrace, And all Thy Passion, cross, and pain, With strength my feebleness sustain.
4. O Christ, turn not away from me, Receive and hide me all in Thee, Within Thy holy wounds inclose, And keep me safe from all my foes.
5. In death’s dark hour with me abide And place me, Savior, at Thy side, Where with Thy saints I shall adore And praise Thee, Lord, forevermore.
J. Scheffler, † 1677; M. Loy, tr., a.
207
8, 8, 7, 8, 7
Sev’n times our blessed Savior spoke When on the cross our sins He took And died lest man should perish. Let us His last and dying words In our remembrance cherish.
2. “Father, forgive these men, for, lo, They truly know not what they do.” So far His love extended. Forgive us, Lord, for we, too, have Through ignorance offended.
3. Now to the contrite thief He cries: “Thou, verily, in Paradise Shalt meet me ere to-morrow.” Lord, take us to Thy kingdom soon, Who linger here in sorrow.
4. To weeping Mary, standing by, “Behold thy Son!” now hear Him cry; To John, “Behold thy mother!” Provide, O Lord, for those we leave, Let each befriend the other.
5. The Savior’s fourth word was, “I thirst!” O mighty Prince of Life, Thy thirst For us and our salvation Is truly great; do help us, then, That we escape damnation.
6. The fifth, “My God, my God, O why Forsake me?” Hark, the awful cry! Lord, Thou wast here forsaken That we might be received on high; Let this hope not be shaken.
7. The sixth, when victory was won, “’Tis finished!” for Thy work was done. Grant, Lord, that, onward pressing, We may the work Thou dost impose Fulfil with Thine own blessing.
8. The last, as woe and sufferings end, “O God, My Father, I commend Into Thy hands My spirit.” Be this, dear Lord, my dying wish; O heavenly Father, hear it!
9. Whoe’er, by sense of sin opprest, Upon these words his thoughts will rest, He joy and hope obtaineth And, through God’s love and boundless grace, A peaceful conscience gaineth.
10. O Jesus Christ, Thou Crucified, Who hast for our offenses died, Grant that we e’er may ponder Thy wounds, Thy cross, Thy bitter death, Both here below and yonder.
Johann Boeschenstein, 15th cent.; tr., anon.
208
6, 5, 6, 5
Glory be to Jesus, Who in bitter pains Poured for me the life-blood From His sacred veins!
2. Grace and life eternal In that blood I find; Blest be His compassion, Infinitely kind!
3. Blest through endless ages Be the precious stream Which from endless torments Did the world redeem!
4. Abel’s blood for vengeance Pleaded to the skies; But the blood of Jesus For our pardon cries.
5. Oft as earth exulting Wafts its praise on high, Angel hosts rejoicing Make their glad reply.
6. Lift we, then, our voices, Swell the mighty flood; Louder still and louder Praise the precious blood!
Italian, 18th cent.; E. Caswall, tr., 1857.
209
8, 7, 8 l
Stricken, smitten, and afflicted, See Him dying on the tree! ’Tis the Christ by man rejected; Yes, my soul, ’tis He! ’tis He! ’Tis the long-expected Prophet, David’s Son, yet David’s Lord; Proofs I see sufficient of it: ’Tis the true and faithful Word.
2. Tell me, ye who hear Him groaning, Was there ever grief like His? Friends through fear His cause disowning, Foes insulting His distress; Many hands were raised to wound Him, None would interpose to save; But the deepest stroke that pierced Him Was the stroke that Justice gave.
3. Ye who think of sin but lightly, Nor suppose the evil great, Here may view its nature rightly, Here its guilt may estimate. Mark the Sacrifice appointed! See who bears the awful load; ’Tis the WORD, the LORD’S ANOINTED, Son of Man and Son of God.
4. Here we have a firm foundation; Here the refuge of the lost; Christ’s the Rock of our salvation: His the name of which we boast; Lamb of God, for sinners wounded! Sacrifice to cancel guilt! None shall ever be confounded Who on Him their hope have built.
Thomas Kelly, 1804.
210
8, 7, 8 l
Jesus, Refuge of the weary, Object of the spirit’s love, Fountain in life’s desert dreary, Savior from the world above; O how oft Thine eyes, offended, Gaze upon the sinner’s fall! Yet, upon the cross extended, Thou didst bear the pain of all.
2. Do we pass that cross unheeding, Breathing no repentant vow, Though we see Thee wounded, bleeding, See Thy thorn-encircled brow? Yet Thy sinless death hath brought us Life eternal, peace, and rest; Only what Thy grace hath taught us Calms the sinner’s stormy breast.
3. Jesus, may our hearts be burning With more fervent love for Thee; May our eyes be ever turning To Thy cross of agony; Till in glory, parted never From the blessed Savior’s side, Graven in our hearts forever Dwell the cross, the Crucified!
Jerome Savonarola, † 1498.
211
C. M.
Behold the Savior of mankind Nailed to the shameful tree! How vast the love that Him inclined To bleed and die for thee!
2. Hark how He groans while nature shakes And earth’s strong pillars bend! The Temple’s veil in sunder breaks, The solid marbles rend.
3. ’Tis done; the precious ransom’s paid; “Receive my soul!” He cries: See where He bows His sacred head! He bows His head and dies.
4. But soon He’ll break death’s envious chain And in full glory shine. O Lamb of God, was ever pain, Was ever love, like Thine?
Samuel Wesley, Sr., 1700.
212
8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7
Come to Calvary’s holy mountain, Sinners, ruined by the Fall; Here a pure and healing fountain Flows to you, to me, to all, In a full, perpetual tide, Opened when our Savior died.
2. Come in poverty and meanness, Come defiled, without, within; From infection and uncleanness, From the leprosy of sin, Wash your robes and make them white; Ye shall walk with God in light.
3. Come in sorrow and contrition, Wounded, impotent, and blind; Here the guilty free remission, Here the troubled peace, may find. Health this fountain will restore; He that drinks shall thirst no more.
4. He that drinks shall live forever; ’Tis a soul-renewing flood. God is faithful; God will never Break His covenant of blood, Signed when our Redeemer died, Sealed when He was glorified.
James Montgomery, 1819.
213
7s 8 l
Savior, when in dust to Thee Low we bow th’ adoring knee, When, repentant, to the skies Scarce we lift our weeping eyes, Oh, by all Thy pains and woe, Suffered once for man below, Bending from Thy throne on high, Hear our solemn litany!
2. By Thy helpless infant years, By Thy life of want and tears, By Thy days of sore distress In the savage wilderness, By the dread, mysterious hour Of th’ insulting Tempter’s power: Turn, O turn, a favoring eye, Hear our solemn litany!
3. By Thine hour of dire despair, By Thine agony of prayer, By the cross, the nail, the thorn, Piercing spear, and torturing scorn; By the gloom that veiled the skies O’er the dreadful sacrifice: Listen to our humble cry, Hear our solemn litany!
4. By Thy deep expiring groan; By the sad sepulchral stone; By the vault, whose dark abode Held in vain the rising God: Oh, from earth to heaven restored, Mighty, reascended Lord, Listen, listen to the cry Of our solemn litany!
Robert Grant, 1815, a.
214
C. M.
Alas! and did my Savior bleed, And did my Sov’reign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I?
2. Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, And love beyond degree!
3. Well might the sun in darkness hide And shut his glories in When God, the mighty Maker, died For man the creature’s sin.
4. Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear Cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt my eyes in tears.
5. But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’Tis all that I can do.
Isaac Watts, 1707.
BURIAL OF JESUS.
215
4, 4, 7, 7, 6
O darkest woe! Ye tears, forth flow! Has earth so sad a wonder? God the Father’s only Son Now is buried yonder!
2. O sorrow dread Our God is dead! But by His expiation Of our guilt upon the cross Gained for us salvation.
3. O child of man! It was the ban Of death on thee that brought Him Down to suffer for thy sins, And such woe hath wrought Him.
4. See, stained with blood, The Lamb of God, The Bridegroom, lies before thee, Pouring out His life that He May to life restore thee.
5. O Ground of faith, Laid low in death, Sweet lips now silent sleeping! Surely all that live must mourn Here with bitter weeping.
6. O Virgin-born, Thy death we mourn, Thou lovely Star of gladness! Who could see Thy reeking blood Without grief and sadness?
7. Yea, blest is he Whose heart shall be Fixed here, who apprehendeth Why the Lord of Glory thus To the grave descendeth.
8. O Jesus blest, My Help and Rest, With tears I now entreat Thee: Make me love Thee to the last, Till in heaven I greet Thee!
First stanza, anon.; J. Rist, 1641.
216
4, 4, 7, 7, 6
So rest, my Rest, Thou Ever-blest! Thy grave with sinners making; By Thy precious death from sin My dead soul awaking.