Hymns

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Words: Arnulf of Leuven, James W. Alexander, Paul Gerhardt · Music: Hans Leo Hassler, J. S. Bach · 1250

Verse 1
O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down;
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown;
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!

Verse 2
What thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners' gain:
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.

Verse 3
What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest Friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.

Verse 4
Be near me, Lord, when dying,
O show thy cross to me!
And, for my succor flying,
come, Lord, to set me free:
these eyes, new faith receiving,
from Jesus shall not move;
for he who dies believing
dies safely through thy love.

Words: Arnulf of Leuven, ca. 1250, adapt. Paul Gerhardt, 1656; tr. James W. Alexander, 1830 | Music: Hans Leo Hassler, 1601; harm. J. S. Bach, 1727, alt.

Psalm 23; Psalm 116; Isaiah 53; Matthew 27; John 3; John 6; John 11; Romans 8; Ephesians 1

Communion · Death · Holy Week · Jesus, Adoration of · Jesus, Death of · Jesus, Suffering of · Thanksgiving