The Lutheran Hymnary ‎#315

315. O sacred Head, now wounded

1 O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory,
What bliss, till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

2 I see Thy strength and vigor
All fading in the strife,
And death with cruel rigor
Bereaving Thee of life;
O agony of dying!
O love to sinners free!
Jesus, all grace supplying,
O turn thy face on me.

3 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.

4 In this Thy bitter passion,
Good Shepherd, think of me
With Thy most sweet compassion,
Unworthy though I be:
Beneath Thy cross abiding
Forever would I rest,
In Thy dear love confiding,
And with Thy presence blest.

5 The joy can ne'er be spoken,
Above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken
I thus with safety hide:
My Lord of Life, desiring
Thy glory now to see,
Beside the cross expiring,
I'd breathe my soul to Thee.

6 What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever;
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
Outlive my love for Thee.

7 And when I am departing,
O part not Thou from me;
When mortal pangs are darting,
Come, Lord, and set me free:
And when my heart must languish
Amidst the final throe,
Release me from mine anguish,
By thine own pain and woe.

8 Be near me when I'm dying
O show Thy crows to me;
And to my succor flying,
Come, Lord, and set me free:
These eyes, new faith receiving,
From Jesus shall not move;
For he who dies believing,
Dies safely, through Thy love.

Text Information

• First Line: O sacred Head, now wounded
• Author: P. Gerhardt (1656)
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Publication Date: 1913
• Topic: The Church Year: Good Friday

Tune Information

• Name: [O sacred Head, now wounded]
• Composer: H. L. Hassler (1601)
• Meter: 7, 6. 8L.
• Key: C Major