
Author: Catherine Winkworth; Johann Heermann Meter: 11.11.11.5 Appears in 22 hymnals Topics: Christ Shepherd Lyrics: 1 O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast thou to make confession,
What dark 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,
This I do merit.
4 What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The Master pays the debt his servants owe him,
Who would not know 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.
Amen. Scripture: Isaiah 53:9-10 Used With Tune: HERZLIEBSTER JESU
O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken