The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#297

297. O what precious balm and healing

1 O what precious balm and healing,
Jesus, in Thy wounds I find!
Every hour that I am feeling
Pains of body and of mind;
Should some evil thought rush in,
And provoke my soul to sin,
Thoughts of Thy deep wounds, from sinning
Keep me in its first beginning.

2 Should some lust or sharp temptation
Prove too strong for flesh and blood,
Lo! I think upon Thy passion,
And the breach is soon made good:
Or should Satan press me hard,
Thinking I am off my guard,
Christ, I say, for me was wounded,
And the tempter flees confounded.

3 If the world my heart entices
On the broad and easy road,
And doth by its gay devices
Silence every thought of God,
When the heavy load I see
Which, dear Lord, was laid on Thee,
I can still each wild emotion,
Calm and blest in my devotion.

4 Yes, whate'er may pain or grieve me,
Thy dear wounds can make me whole;
When my heart sinks, they revive me,
Life pours in upon my soul:
May Thy comfort render sweet
Every bitter cup I meet;
Thou who by Thy death and passion
Hast procured my soul's salvation.

5 Lord, on Thee alone I stay me,
Safely hid beneath Thy wing;
Death can neither hurt nor slay me,
Thy death took away his sting:
That I may in Thee have part,
Comfort, strengthen, heal my heart;
Light, and life, and love bestowing,
All from Thy free mercy flowing.

6 Well of life, if Thou art nigh me,
Springing deep within my heart,
When the last dread hour shall try me,
I can feel no inward smart:
If I hide myself in Thee,
Not a foe can injure me;
He shall overcome who hideth
In Thy wounds, and there abideth.

Text Information

• First Line: O what precious balm and healing
• Author: Bernard of Clairvaux
• Author: J. Heermann (1844)
• Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: Lent and Passion Week; Redemption; Sanctification

Tune Information

• Name: [O what precious balm and healing]
• Composer: Louis Bourgeois (1551)
• Meter: 8, 7, 8, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8.
• Key: F Major