HYMNS ON THE PASSION

which can be used in the congregations during Lent

at the weekly service and on Days of Prayer

according to the custom of each place

[by Thomas Kingo]

[from the Gradual of 1699]

[Translation © Mark DeGarmeaux unless noted]

Return to Mark DeGarmeaux's home page

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THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

MØRCKET SKIULER JORDERIGE* [12]

tune: Freu dich sehr

 

1 Darkness covers every nation,

Trial now is close at hand,

Darkness battles with the sunshine;

Jesus, taken by the band.

Such a night was ne'er before!

Heaven itself has barred the door!

Jesus, all our Light and Sunshine

Now doth bear the shame of nighttime.

 

2 Judas the Betrayer taketh

Darkness' weapon willingly

And in league with Satan maketh

All that in his heart did lie:

He the rabble gathered here

Bringing rogues and scoundrels near

They shall serve his wicked purpose

Even in the high priest's service.

 

3 Torch and lanterns now are burning

Straight from Satan's raging fire;

Spear and cudgel all are yearning

As they now are drunk with ire:

Yet no torch nor club nor spear

Captures Jesus even here

But a kiss, so dear in fashion

Now betrays Him to His passion.

 

4 Even now His word and speaking

Casts His foes all to the ground.

Death on every face is sneaking;

All in dreadful fear are bound!

Quickly His disciples flee,

Jesus all alone shall be,

Offéring his heart and spirit

To the pains of death I merit.

 

5 Jesus with that kiss is sorted

Judas, why then with a kiss?

With that kiss His life is shortened,

With that kiss the serpent's hiss

Strikes Him with a poison dart

Under smile's pretended art;

Now our Jesus' face is fallen

And His righteous hands are swollen.

 

6 Were it swords that we should take us,

Were our fight to earth but bound,

Then not only ear of Malchus,

Bloody falling to the ground-

But God's angels thousandfold

Could these powers of darkness hold!

Yet with patience He is drinking

Cup of bitter woe, not shrinking.

 

7 Thy disciples all now leave Thee

All alone in care to stand!

Fleeing then, they let them have Thee

Still to do what they had planned!

And the one in linen robe

Flees before the angry mob,

Naked now, escaping narrow

Fleeing from Thy pain and sorrow.

 

8 Blessed Jesus, dearest Brother,

Lord of Light, now in the night

Of sin's darkness deepest mother,

Vice's cover, veil of night,

Shall it cover Thee with doom,

From the deepest hellish gloom?

Shall that cruel wolf now slay Thee

And in death's dark grave now lay Thee?

 

9 O my Jesus, I remember

That I once was darkness' child

And was counted as its member,

With my God unreconciled,

Bound for death eternally

Till Thou came down willingly

For to spare my soul, surrounded,

And in death's deep darkness shrouded.

 

10 With sweet lips of grace reviving

Thou with kisses hast me blest,

How I rue that I keep striving

For to drive Thee from my breast.

Shame, my tongue, so woefully

When I speak deceitfully

Purge the falsehood of my blurting

With Thy blood and bitter hurting.

 

11 Would that torch and spear and weapons

All that Thou wert bloodied by

Firmly in my mind were deepened

For they wrote my liberty.

When God's Light on me did shine,

Freeing soul and body mine

From each sin and plague of Satan,

From hell's very wolf and dragon.

 

12 Art Thou now a captive taken?

I had once a captive been.

But Thy bonds instead have broken

All the chains that bound me then.

I have now been freed by Thee

Bind me fast, alone to Thee;

Save me by Thy willing capture,

Fill my soul with joy and rapture.

 

 

THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT

Jesus is led bound to the house of Annas and Caiaphas

LÆNGE HAFVER SATAN SPUNDET* [12]

tune: Freu dich sehr

 

1 Long has Satan long been spinning

Bonds to wrap 'round Jesus' hands!

Forcefully would sin be pinning

Our dear Lord with hellish bands!

Heaven itself is bound in chains!

God's own Son will suffer pains!

Now a captive He is counted

With disgrace and shame surrounded.

 

2 See how He were from them slipping

If He went not willingly

Angry hands with cruelty gripping,

Prodding, howling mockingly

Each is full of vengeful harm

Fearing yet for great alarm

As a Lamb, the wolves did catch Him

He must follow where they snatch Him.

 

3 Annas, scoundrel, was not sleeping,

Wide awake, when they did walk

In his house with Jesus creeping

As a Dove before the hawk

Then to Caiaphas they came

Where they brought more grief and shame;

Power and time for Him was taken,

All with evil hatred waken.

 

4 Though the sun was still in hiding,

Yet the Sun of righteousness,

Jesus, takes His stand beside them,

While they mock in wickedness,

Now true Light has entered in

Though their minds and hearts are dim,

Questions of His teaching taking,

All the while their jokes still making.

 

5 If He plainly spoke His doctrine

Even with all gentleness

In return would lies be spoken

Fists be clenched in vengefulness

Slaps upon His face they aim

No remorse and without shame

God must take these strikes and lashes

From a scoundrel, made from ashes.

 

6 Justice no one here is keeping

All true testimony blocked

Sympathy is soundly sleeping

Doors for mercy all are locked!

Wanton power alone awakes

Satan gladly torches takes

Aged priests look on approving

Hellish beasts, themselves but proving.

 

7 Now false witnesses are showing

Which of them can lie the best

Wicked ones, in number growing,

Sit in judgement with the rest!

Jesus' face is spit upon

Hidden, smitten, listening on,

As He now should guess who hit Him

Who true justice has o'erridden.

 

8 Thus is ended this conspir'cy

Sentencing the Lord to die

Never dare He ask for mercy,

Hearing how the dogs do cry;

That He surely death had won,

Since He called Himself God's Son!

What He is, they think is scheming,

So they shout with loud blaspheming.

 

9 Dear God, teach me that I never

Bind my passions with the bands

Which the wicked unbelievers

Placed upon Thy heavenly hands,

And when Satan comes to me

With his wiles deceitfully,

Come to me in heart and spirit

To recall Thy bonds and merit.

 

10 If for truth's sake they now take me,

If I'm treated scornfully,

If they still with tongues forsake me,

If they beat me mockingly,

Let me still believing see

All the scorn Thou bor'st for me

Insult, shame, and wicked mock'ry

For my everlasting glory.

 

11 Even if the whole world hate me

Fitting me with heavy yoke

Show me then Thy work to save me

All Thy suff'ring in Thy book

That with faith I learn to see

How with lies they harassed Thee

Fie, then all who speak with evil

Fie, then all who serve the devil!

 

12 Though they still with death may threaten

Heaping me with sore disgrace

Let me see, -my soul enlighten-

All the patience on Thy face,

When the judgement came on Thee,

And Thou hadst no way to flee;

So may all Thy pain and sighing

Calm me in my fear of dying.

 

Peter's Fall

INGEN HØYHED INGEN ÆRE* [12]

tune: previous tune

 

1 There's no honour and no highness,

No perfection can there be,

Where the sun with light doth witness,-

That can promise certainty,

There's no office and no call

Which can keep us from sin's fall

There is nothing, oh so holy,

Which can keep us from sin wholly.

 

2 No one dare in mind be saying

That he never stumble can

For the thoughts his heart are swaying,

Disappointed, sinful man.

All presumption must be banned

Even if today he stand

For tomorrow he may stumble

All unhappy and made humble.

 

3 Greatest saint must also live in

Adam's flesh and sin's array;

Even highest gifts of heaven

He must bear in mortal clay.

Come and see how Peter fails

Nought his faithful pledge avails

All his promises negating

Into smoke and vapor fading.

 

4 Jesus stands in great dishonor,

Bound and beaten, spit upon,

Shame and scandal, and no honor

From the wicked powers anon!

Peter soon forgets His need

Fearing his own death indeed;

Leaves the Prince of Life, his Savior,

Promise broken, faith doth waver!

 

5 By the fire he stands and trembles,

Trying just to keep him warm

But God's lovingkindness crumbles

In his heart and breast and arm.

Questioned by the lowly maid

If he knew the Man betrayed,

Three times he denied to know Him

Even with an oath disowned Him.

 

6 Soon the rooster crows, announcing

Passing night and coming dawn.

Peter still knows not his sinning

On the path too far he's gone.

Swearing, cursing, oaths he makes

Jesus' friendship he forsakes

Even as he doth disown him,

Jesus casts His eyes upon him.

 

7 Are you now the rock, dear Peter,

That God's Church is built upon?

How then can you slip and teeter

And in storm not better stand?

No! The Rock is Jesus Christ

And His Word of Paradise.

He stands fast and unconfounded;

On His Word God's Church is founded.

 

8 There's no sadness and no sorrow

That can hinder Jesus' goal

With Thine eyes a glance must borrow

Of this wretched fallen soul.

How Thy countenance did fall

As Thou knew his heart-thoughts all.

Oh, what guilt on him is sinking

On Thy faithful Word he's thinking.

 

9 O my Jesus, when I ponder

On the beam within my eye

And my conscience too doth wonder

On the thorns that in me lie!

Then my heart doth speak to me

That I thousand times have Thee

Oft denied so sad and shameful

More than Peter I am blameful.

 

10 Three times Thy dear friend denied Thee

And his heart, betrayed Thee, Lord.

Many times I've multiplied me

Sins against Thy Law and Word

Never can they numbered be

More than stars and sands of sea;

All my heart and sight and thinking

Must in shame to earth be sinking.

 

11 All too well for sin I'm yearning

Like a stubborn horse in stride;

Oh, from sin I would be turning,

But I'm bound in sinful pride.

So, Lord, turn Thyself to me

Grant me grace that I may be

By Thy watchful eye e'er guarded

With Thy light of grace rewarded.

 

12 Peter fell and was uplifted

By the power of Thy grace

O my Jesus, Thou hast lifted

All the weight of my disgrace!

Thou wilt ne'er abandon me

E'er how great my sin may be

Teach me such repentant weeping,

Let Thy Spirit me be keeping.

 

 

St. Peter's Weeping and Conversion

VELDER UD I ØYNE-STRØMME* [8]

tune: previous tune

 

1 Pouring forth with tears of sadness

Flowing down in hope sincere

Never judged to Satan's gladness,

Here in this sad vale of tears.

Sadly, weeping from my eyes

From sin's debt my spirit flies

For my sinfulness still grieving

Till my heart itself is bleeding.

 

2 Oh, tonight with guilt I'm given

Threat of hell as my reward

Since by terror I was driven

To deny my God and Lord!

But my Saviour looked at me,

Eyes all filled with sympathy;

Full of mercy, grace, and favor

Was that glance from my dear Savior.

 

3 Once to hell-fire I was falling

Now I rush with quenching flood

By my God's most gracious calling

And His mighty Spirit good-

Though my eyes with sorrow fill,

Never, never ceasing still

Yet each day that I am living

Still for one night's sin I'm grieving.

 

4 Once I walked upon the water

And thus to my Jesus came;

Now my sins did all things alter,

Still I call upon His name.

On a salty sea of tears

I shall walk till death me nears

All my joy and all my gladness

Shall be my repentant sadness.

 

5 Jesus, grant illumination,

On my heart imprint so well

Peter's fall and restoration

That I ever mark them well.

May Thy gracious pardoning Word

Never by my sins be blurred;

May Thy grace be e'er revealing

Full forgiveness, perfect healing.

 

6 Though I wretchedly am sinning

Such as never seen before,

And though Satan is beginning

Still to tempt me more and more,

I will turn to Christ, my Lord

For His strength and pardoning Word;

E'en when Satan's wiles do test me,

In His grace I gladly rest me.

 

7 Daily is my spirit striving

In this unclean 'bode of death

Therefore I will e'er be striving

That I may in steadfast faith

Follow Peter's faithful end

Washed, renewed, in faith to stand

That I may my soul be cleansing

In the blood of Jesus rinsing.

 

8 Jesus, grant me tears and sighing,

Penitence for my disgrace.

Let Thy Spirit, my heart plying

With the mirror of Thy grace,

Grant me comfort for my need,

Since Thou once for me didst bleed.

Let my final tears and mourning

Cease with heaven's joyous morning.

 

THE FOURTH WEEK IN LENT

Judas' Despair

SØDE SYND DU VELLYST-ENGEL* [13]

tune: Freu dich sehr

 

1 Sweetest sin, angel of passion

How thy smallest seed doth send

Tender shoots of fairest fashion,

Promising its flowers to send.

But thy fruit is shame and wrath,

Anguish, pain, eternal death,

Bitter heat and burning hell-fire

From God's judgement and His fierce ire.

 

2 Judas, like a mirror, shows me

Each and every source of sin,

Teaching sinners e'er so closely

How to flee the grasp of sin.

Sin and Satan came to him

His dominion all to win

That he might betray the Saviour

Earning Satan's evil favour.

 

3 When he saw the Lord then bearing

Shame of sin and guilt of death

Then in anguish he would spare Him

Now his roguish heart regrets.

How his conscience thus did sink

When He took sin's poisoned drink

When his wish with gall was blended

And with death eternal ended.

 

4 When he sees the silver pieces

Price for which his God he sold

Then his heart its beating ceases,

Every drop of blood turns cold.

Coin and money never may

Help him from his sinful way

Stamp of death his heart is sealing,

Pains of hell he soon is feeling.

 

5 See, my soul, how quick he yearneth

Favour from the priests to earn

How his conscience sorely burneth

Such blood-money to return.

Casting them on Temple floor,

Rending now his conscience sore

Many poisoned arrows bearing,

As his heart is much despairing.

 

6 See his wicked tears forth-breaking-

Now at last he understood

What great evil he was making

All against such holy blood.

God's own Son he had betrayed,

Who a captive now was made,

Bound to cross and shameful dying;

Judas with remorse is crying.

 

7 But his heart so coldly hardened

Though God yet would pardon send

Still he bows himself to Satan,

Unrepentant to the end.

All the joyous streams of heaven

To the ransomed souls e'er given

He so shamefully despises,

And to hellish river rises.

 

8 Jesus stands before his viewing,

Burdened with the whole world's sins,

Full of woe and shame and ruing

After Judas' bitter kiss

Unrepentant still to greet,

Falling at his Master's feet

Leaving Jesus in His danger,

Judas is to grace a stranger.

 

9 More yet, he his Lord betrayeth;

To God's grace still "Nay" he saith.

On His blood and wounds he treadeth,

Swiftly runs the way of death;

He rejects His pardoning pain

And His precious bloody stain;

Now a noose he soon is making,

Blood of Christ to judgement taking.

 

10 Let me never be accounted

With this wretched evil man;

Even if my sins be counted

More than all the ocean sand!

Even if I lie within

Thickest mire of deepest sin

Satan's many arrows bearing

Keep me, Lord, from e'er despairing.

 

11 If unto Thy throne and glory

With my sin I quickly flee

Then a gracious crown of glory

Must remain intact for me.

Even though by sin I can

Set us all in bond and ban

Still God has us all forgiven,

Still His Son as Saviour given.

 

12 Is there any sin that's greater

Than that Jesus' precious blood

Were not greater still to dry it

As He once did dry the flood

Which from out His heart broke forth

As He took on Him God's wrath

Since it was with poison rounded

And since Satan Him had wounded.

 

13 No! My Jesus' grace surpasses

All the sins of earth and more,

All the sinful woe and anguish

Laid upon His purple sore.

Safely anchored in His bay,

All my evil washed away,

In repentance I will drown me

Though sin's fetters once had bound me.

 

The Potter's Field

PENGENE SOM JUDAS SLENGTE* [10]

tune: previous tune

 

1 Judas, now remorseful, told them

Of his sinful dread mistake

Of the price for which he sold Him

Full return he now did make.

Shameful hypocrites are they

For God's Son a price to pay

Such blood-money they will never

Use for any church endeavour.

 

2 Without fear to Judas making

Payment for betrayal done

Wrath upon them they are taking

By the blood of God's own Son.

God's own treasury they faint

With blood-money e'er to taint;

Never yet are they refraining

From themselves with God's blood staining.

 

3 Then their wicked council pleases

Thus to buy the potter's field

With the money paid for Jesus,

And agreement thus was sealed,

So that strangers too may have

Place to rest in lowly grave;

They may have no place in heaven

Yet on earth they rest are given.

 

4 O my Jesus, teach me ever

With my heart these depths to sound:

Though all heaven can hold Thee never,

Nor the whole world's widest bound,

With its jewels, gold, and worth,

Yet a simple plot of earth

O'er Thy flesh, O Jesus, setting

Let me never be forgetting.

 

5 But may I be ever learning

From the lowly potter's field

That this frame which I am wearing

And this body forth to yield

Never shall my boasting be

Earth's adornment over me

Gold and pearls and all that flashes

For I am but dust and ashes.

 

6 From earth's simple clay and ashes

I, like Adam once, was made.

As my Potter, Lord, Thou fashioned

All my members that Thou gave.

For Thy fingers fashioned me

In all ways so wondrously

So my earthly clay in story

Speaks of Thy almighty glory.

 

7 Once a stranger, yet God bore me;

Daily I remember well

That my parents all before me

Strangers were in Israel:

But we now a part may share

As God's child and blessed heir

Grafted into Christ by favor

And by Jesus' blood, dear Savior.

 

8 Every day we still are strangers,

Pilgrims on our journey there;

And we ever walk in dangers,

Pilgrim's clothing we do wear.

And when in the grave we're laid

All our splendour soon doth fade

Thanks, O Jesus, for Thy keeping

By Thy blood our restful sleeping.

 

9 Now with joy my heart is waking

While I in this body dwell

With each step that I am taking

That I yet may stand so well

In the refuge of my Lord

Fully as His child restored

Safely in His love supernal

I shall rest till life eternal

 

10 Jesus, grant that by Thy passion

As I wander through this land

I may walk with greatest caution

Thinking always on my end.

Grant me e'er a steadfast faith

When at last I face my death

And on Judgement Day restore me

Into Thy eternal glory.

 

Jesus in Pilate's Judgement Hall

JESUS SOM SKAL VERDEN DØMME* [13]

tune: previous tune

 

1 Jesus, Judge of every nation,

Under Pilate's judgement came,

Under Jewish condemnation

Full of mockery and shame!

To the heathen judge He came

Who knew not God's Law and name;

To his power Himself to offer

And injustice He will suffer.

 

2 Hypocrites, you rabble daring,

Enter not the judgement hall

From uncleanness yourselves sparing

Yet it helps you not at all.

For you tread in blasphemy

Murder, lies, and sins many

Soul and heart are deeper sinking,

Evil toward your God now thinking.

 

3 Thou, who all the earth art shaking,

From whose face the lightning goes

Earthly princes quickly breaking

Like a potsherd that one throws.

As a man of sin, O Christ,

Stricken, smitten, and despised,

Now abused Thou standest taking

As a Lamb, our ransom making.

 

4 Although Pilate still was never

In his soul so hardened through,

Yet for judgement's honour ever

He now asks for justice true

What the accusation be

That they bring for him to see

In this Captive now before them

Why they wretchedly deplore Him.

 

5 With their poison lungs, all blameful,

Breathing through a lying mouth

And with serpent tongues, so shameful,

Mocking God and every truth;

What they speak goes on and on

As a wall to build upon,

Yet no fault can they be plying

On the Righteous without lying.

 

6 Hate and blasphemy and lying

Anything that ever can

From their mouths with hate be flying

All against true God and Man,

That He leads them all astray,

Telling them no tax to pay

And Himself a King He's calling

Which to them is more appalling.

 

7 Jesus now is asked with venom

Of His kingdom and His crown

But He answers that His kingdom

From eternity is found!

Truth, which they must ever hate,

And the whole world doth berate,

Yet He boldly will declare it,

Although Satan cannot bear it.

 

8 Even Pilate, all things judging,

Him not guilty must declare,

While they endlessly are bringing

Blasphemy that He must bear;

But by Jewish law they can

Never slay this guiltless Man,

So they must with Him be taking

Accusations of their making.

 

9 Let the angry mob be making

Lies and slander as they will

Jesus yet no answer making

To their many words of ill;

And their lies are shameless all,

Evident to one and all

So He therefore will be silent

Waiting still for God's own judgement.

 

10 O Thou precious God and Savior,

O Thou sinless, spotless Lamb,

Evil foes with cruel behaviour

Heap Thee all with scorn and shame

They accuse Thee, tongues a-flail,

With the dragon's wicked tail,

Thou art beaten, scourged, and punished

With betrayal and injustice.

 

11 Oh, how I must e'er be mournful

That I am so full of sin,

When my enemies all scornful

Seek my wandering soul to win,

With their lies and shame and fear;

But Thou art my Saviour dear,

Taking all my sins upon Thee,

All the shame my sin had brought me.

 

12 Source of faithfulness, all willing,

Now in Pilate's judgement hall,

All Thy saving work fulfilling,

For Thy silence covers all;

All our sin and evil lust

Which on Thee alone were thrust

All Thou willingly did suffer

Innocent, Thyself to offer.

 

13 And when death I shall be meeting

In God's judgement I shall know

That Thou art for me still pleading,

All Thy innocence, bestow;

Speak for me, for I have found

Full salvation in Thy wounds

So that after earthly sadness

I may know my God in gladness.

 

Jesus is Sent to Herod

TIL HERODES JESUS FØRES* [8]

tune: previous tune

 

1 Unto Herod Jesus goeth

To the fox a Lamb they send

How the tyrant's hope now groweth

Not because he is His friend.

But because he waits to see

What a miracle might be

Now the moment he is seizing

To fulfil his selfish pleasing.

 

2 And the Jewish leaders follow ;

All against Him take their stand,

Crying loud with voices hollow,

Accusations all in hand.

What before they could not bring,

Now more boldly they do fling

Lies and tarnished speeches making,

If they can His soul be breaking.

 

3 With no sign will Jesus cheer him

And no answer will He make

As the deaf who has no hearing

As the mute who cannot speak,

Jesus silent will remain

But our God in heavenly reign

Shall His cause to light be bringing

And from harshest woes Him springing.

 

4 Jesus sees that truth is failing

Herod never takes it on,

So the earth must now be hailing

Martyred blood of blessed John

So for Jesus it appears

Justice will give way to spears,

Thus He keeps Himself from speaking

Justice with His Father seeking.

 

5 All the shame and cruel jeering

Scorn and ridicule and blood

Our poor Jesus must be bearing

All for our eternal good.

If now Herod mocks His name

And the soldiers bring Him shame

Thousand times and worse the laughter

Brought by rogues upon the Master.

 

6 For their wicked entertainment

They do all to bring Him scorn

With a royal purple raiment

They bedeck His wretched form.

Now so far from hope He goes

Wretched man in wicked throes,

Filled with shame of evil making,

Which must now God's heart be breaking.

 

7 Herod now with Pilate teaming

Former enemies are friends

They give more respect, esteeming,

Than they formerly intend

Mockery at Jesus hurled

As it goes in all the world

Jesus is the Mediator

E'en for wicked king and traitor.

 

8 When, O Jesus, I do ponder

All Thy suffering and Thy blood

In my heart I truly wonder

On Thy grace and every good

How therein is all my shame

And my evil by Thy name

Covered now before God's viewing,

Me eternal life imbuing.

 

THE FIFTH WEEK IN LENT

Barabbas freed, the people want Christ crucified

SEE NU ER PILATUS GANGEN* [12]

tune: Freu dich sehr

 

1 See how Pilate now is seated

On his judgement seat to view

Jesus once again is greeted

Now before His judge anew:

Pilate now will make his claim

That he finds no cause of blame,

That this Man should not be dying;

His accusers must be lying

 

2 But if only he can please them,

He will have Him punished so

If they once may cruelly treat Him

Then he'd gladly let Him go.

So it often goes on earth:

One regards a person's worth

And true justice soon doth waver,

Greater sinners receive favour.

 

3 While now Pilate makes his query

From his wife a message hears

Asking that he yet be wary

Nothing more to do a-fears

With the righteous captive here

Who Himself to God is dear

When she dreamed before her waking

Heav'n itself to her was speaking.

 

4 O ye stone-blind evil foe men

Hardened in your heart and soul

Listen to a heathen woman

Who sees better than you all!

When she sends her husband word

Sent to her by God the Lord

As she slept, she then was hearing

God to her in dream appearing.

 

5 Poisoned all is every member

In my Jesus' trial aye

Though His innocence should glimmer

Clearer than the light of day!

Nothing, nothing comes to aid,

Justice is by might betrayed

God must silently now bear this

In the bonds of harsh injustice.

 

6 Pilate still would clear the pathway

And a chance he yet will take

With his paschal custom alway

That he Jesus free can make.

Now Barabbas he will name

Held for murder and great shame,

Rightly he should now be dying

And our Jesus free be flying.

 

7 Every tongue to this is kindled

With infernal envious glow

Every Jewish youth enkindled

Filled with poison set to flow,

Crying: With this Man away!

Crucify Him straightaway!

Rid us of Him who ne'er pleases

And Barabbas soon release us!

 

8 Blessed Jesus, Thou art counted

Now among the murdering stock

With such thieves as this accounted

To the Jews a stumbling block

Never thinking that Thou broke

For them Egypt's harshest yoke

With the lamb's blood them to cover

From death's angel passing over.

 

9 Now will no one e'er be knowing?

Jesus' sore affliction, see!

Shall a murd'rer free be going

Robber, full of thievery,

Who is guilty, full of shame

While God's pure and spotless Lamb

Who in sin was never living,

On the cross His life is giving?

 

10 O what wondrous mournful sentence!

O God's deepest hidden plan!

How my soul can never bear this

But must bathe in tears and shame,

When I think on Jesus' pain,

Innocent for my good gain,

Nothing for Himself declaring,

While the robber they are sparing.

 

11 Daily from this I am finding

Heaven's comfort, passing thought,

Which my woeful heart is binding

From my sins and evil thought!

If I am with sin the first

Of all sinners yet the worst

Yet I see my sins all lying

On my Jesus in His dying.

 

12 Therefore never shall my sinning

With God's judgement me condemn

Jesus now for me is winning

Grace and mercy without end.

Therefore grace I shall receive

And from judgement full reprieve;

Thou didst suffer condemnation,

Innocent for my salvation.

 

Jesus stricken, smitten, and crowned with thorns

VIL DOG HIMLEN INTET TALE* [14]

 

1 Yet will heaven naught be speaking

While our Jesus' goes His way?

Shall their lies be ever breaking

Darkened truth by light of day?

Shall our Jesus, whom we know

Without guilt did ever go

Now be beaten, persecuted?

Shall He now be executed?

 

2 Heaven now in silence lieth

While they stretch both law and right

And for friendship now He crieth

As they turn the screws so tight!

And the judge doth contemplate

That this trial is for hate

Bringing Jesus burden weary

While true justice still must tarry.

 

3 He the people is amusing-

To their will they press Him on.

Every cursed eye be musing

Yet to see and look upon

If He now will serve them still

For their memory so ill.

Jesus with the scourge is beaten

With injustice they mistreat Him.

 

4 Whip and scourge we must remember

Beating Jesus all about

Every tired and weakened member

Till the blood comes streaming out!

Every lash brings deepest woes

To the flesh and bone it goes

As a worm we see Him wringing

And His heart within is stinging.

 

5 After all this bloody lashing

Which Him covers over all

On His body they are placing

Robe of royal purple pall

With a cloak of honour tied

They may lead Him forth despised;

Glorious God in royal clothing,

They may tread upon with loathing.

 

6 Now they place a crown of hatred

On the Saviour's sweetest head,

Which from thorns they quickly plaited

(Thorns, the curse of sin's first deed)

Sharp as sword and needle edge

Serpent's fangs, the dreaded pledge,

'Gainst His sacred temple bruising

Forth His precious blood comes oozing.

 

7 Regal staff doth now await Him,

(With a reed they Him deride)

And a crown of thorns they plait Him

On His head as show of might.

'Round His head there now do flood

Thousand springs of flowing blood;

He is filled with so much sorrow,

That My tongue no words can borrow.

 

8 Mockingly they kneel before Him,

Slap His bloody cheek anon;

Every scoundrel bows before Him

And with scorn they spit upon!

But their wrath demands much more

Fill Him yet with blood and gore;

All demand to crucify Him,

Nothing else will satisfy them.

 

9 O my Jesus, how I wonder

That my heart for Thee must bleed,

For my conscience sad doth ponder

How I scourged Thee oft indeed.

And my sins so crude and rash

Hang upon each strike and lash

Every time that Thou art smitten

And with many woes art beaten.

 

10 Therefore I will now be scourging

Every lust within my blood,

And my soul with tears be purging

By Thy gracious crimson-flood!

Now by grace I cry to Thee,

Precious Jesus, rescue me

I with faith embrace Thee gladly

While Thy wounds Thou suffer sadly.

 

11 Crown of thorns which ever stings Thee

By my sins was formed around!

My transgressions' wretched fingers,

Twisted this most awful crown!

'Round Thee harshly I did bind

With my evil stubborn mind,

Innocence from Thee now draining

Many streams of blood, Thee staining.

 

12 Therefore daily I'll be weeding

Thorns and thistles of my sin!

Let Thy wounds o'er me be bleeding

From Thy body pure within.

I will ponder on the thorns

Which Thou for my soul hast borne,

All my sin and Satan treading,

Crush them well while Thou art bleeding.

 

13 With repentance now I tell Thee

How I scorned Thee with by my hand

Help me once again to quell me

And my sin fore'er to ban.

I am but a broken reed;

Hear me, Jesus in my need.

When I strike Thee without measure,

Cleanse me by Thy gracious pleasure.

 

14 Every time Thy precious glory

As a fool I cast away

Spare me yet the wretched story

Of eternal shame to pay!

Wash it all in gracious flood

Blot it out with Thy dear blood.

That with all my sins forgiven,

I eternal life am given.

 

THE SIXTH WEEK IN LENT

Behold the Man!

HVORDAN EN PILATUS HINCKED* [11]

tune: Freu dich sehr

 

1 See how swiftly Pilate stumbles

From the truth to bitterness

Yet he tries with ways so humble

For a little righteousness.

For he leads our Jesus out

Blood still streaming all about

Crowned with thorns and badly beaten

Yet to move the Jews to free Him.

 

2 Now behold the Man presented

Here before your very eyes.

See the Man your pride resented;

See Him, wretched and despised!

See His heart so full of woe

From His head down to His toe,

Hardly any flesh perceiving-

Who cannot for Him be grieving?

 

3 See the earth where He doth stumble

How it flows with His dear blood

God's own Son, so weak and humble,

Passing reason, right and good.

Why is He a captive now?

Why must He so lowly bow?

Show me now and tell the story:

Can this be the King of glory?

 

4 See if any worm can ever

Be unhappy more than He!

See if earth itself can ever

Boast a wondrous Man as He!

See if even hearts of stone

Can ignore His plaintive moan!

See if now His woeful wailing

Does not bring your heart to failing!

 

5 See the thorns, how sore they break Him!

See the blood from Him doth pour!

See the tears His eyes are making!

See Him beaten deep and sore!

See how full of pain He stands,

Beaten by their wretched hands!

See Him full of pain to crumble!

Pity this poor wretch so humble!

 

6 See His cheeks so pale are blending

See His deepest heartfelt strife

See Him to the ground, low-bending

See Him struggle for His life,

Holding on as best He can

Though uncertain is His stand!

I'd do all, if it would please Him,

From death's snare I would release Him.

 

7 No one shows Him any pity

No one here is Jesus' friend

And the people shouted "Guilty"

Calling now for Caesar's hand

Shouting loud that Pilate must

Sentence to their hands entrust

Giving falsely for their reason:

Blasphemy and highest treason.

 

8 Watch, my soul, beware their lying,

If you any time may know.

Look on Jesus' woeful sighing

See His bitter pain and woe

See how hard on Him they press

There's no form or comeliness

That we know now to receive Him

While death's grip will not relieve Him.

 

9 All that I now see and witness

Comes from my own bitter root

And the sin-filled grapes that drip this

Dreadful poison in His blood

Drip upon my Jesus, lo,

Cover Him from head to toe

While His lifeblood He is bleeding

Wrathful wine press He is treading.

 

10 Thee so full of woe I witness

Full of earthly sin and shame

Hammered by God's holy vengeance

O Thou pure, unspotted Lamb.

Pierced and beaten Thou dost bleed,

Bearing every care and need,

All the pains of hell Thou bearest

Which my sinful heart did merit.

 

11 But, because for me Thou darest,

Such a shameful curse to bear

So, my God, in grace, Thou swearest

I with joy shall see Thee there!

Here I see Thy suffering sore

There I'll praise Thee evermore

By Thy Spirit's gracious guiding

In eternal joy abiding.

 

Jesus Condemned to be Crucified

RETTENS SPIIR DET ALT ER BRECKED*[10]

tune: previous tune

 

1 Staff of justice now is broken

Mercy now has grown so cold

Righteousness no one has spoken

Innocence bears cruelty bold.

Lies are clothed in truthful coat

Truth into the ground is trod.

While injustice swift is creeping,

Even stones o'er this are weeping.

 

2 Right and wrong get equal honour;

Both considered just the same.

Jesus' trial holds no honour,

No true justice, only shame!

And the people shout and jeer

Without shame and without fear;

Justice they have all forsaken;

Jesus to the cross is taken.

 

3 Never under all of heaven,

All the firmament and sky,

Was there such a judgement given

Never truth made such a lie!

Yet no guilt or blame they show,

That He should His life forego,

To the cross of death they take Him,

Scapegoat for their guilt they make Him.

 

4 Hear the judgement now and listen:

Jesus is to death condemned!

Hellish snake with joy doth glisten

As God's heart-strings sadly rend.

Now the dreadful woe and need

Now the bitter cross indeed

Now for Him there's no relieving

How His soul with sorrow's grieving.

 

5 Pilate now himself excusing

Washes hands in water bath

Jesus he is not accusing

So he thinks he's free from wrath.

Yet the guilt of Jesus' blood

Can't be washed in such a flood

His clean hands are empty token;

For God's judgement still is spoken.

 

6 And the Jews were never frightened

Jesus' death bore them no guilt

Fears of conscience ne'er were heightened

That His blood in pools be spilt.

So for death they shout and call,

Let His vengeance on them fall

And upon their future offspring

For they knew what they were doing.

 

7 Now with sorrow I am falling

At my precious Jesus' feet.

I repent my sins appalling

For which Jesus death did meet;

I must bear the awful blame

For the harshness of His shame

If I could, I'd bear the torment

Of His wrongful, bitter judgement.

 

8 O my God, I can't be hiding;

Without number are my sins.

Yet with Thee I'll be abiding

Judgement house and hall within!

All my sins brought Thee distress;

Thee to judgement they do press!

When I see Thy sore oppression,

I see marks of my transgression.

 

9 Sinful hands of mine naught washes

No excuse I find for me

But I bathe myself in ashes

Weeping, praying heartily:

Dearest Jesus, that Thou wilt

Think not on my sin and guilt;

Blot them out now by Thy dying,

On Thy grace I am relying.

 

10 Thou art without guilt and sinning

Yet for me to death to go

Even unto death all willing

Faithful, all for me to do.

At God's judgement throne I may

All my refuge in Thee lay

For Thy judgement's my salvation,

Saving me from condemnation.

 

THE SEVENTH WEEK IN LENT

Jesus is led out from the Judgement Hall to Golgotha and carries his cross

KOMMER I SOM VIL LEDSAGE* [10]

tune: Freu dich sehr

1 Come now, ye who come to follow

Jesus even unto death

Who will take his cross and follow

Come ye, now and follow with!

Come ye, now who sorely weep

Fill your eyes with tears so deep

Let your eyes with tears be flowing

Deep to heart the sorrow going.

 

2 See the wicked soldiers tearing

Purple garment from His back,

Caring not what pain He's bearing

Ever worse with each attack!

His own clothing they return

That His bloody sores may burn

All His wounded body aching,

And His heart with sorrow breaking.

 

3 See them Jesus now forth-leading

And His cross upon Him throw

Simon of Cyrene meeting

Who will with His Saviour go.

Though he helps unwillingly

Yet they press him forcefully

That he bear the cross of Jesus

And for them do all that pleases.

 

4 And the women also follow

Full of pain and misery

And their tears flow forth in sorrow

Weeping sad and bitterly.

Jesus on the way to death

Turns Himself to them and saith

To the women in their weeping

This His Word now for their keeping:

 

5 Weep not, now ye dear sad women

Weep ye not so hard for me

Soon the victory I am winning

In My kingdom heavenly!

Look upon your own distress

Coming soon you to oppress

Weep now for your own oppression

Caused by your own sad transgression.

 

7 But when I shall enter heaven,

Then your children everywhere

Great disasters will be given,

And great pain they too shall bear;

See them bear God's awful wrath

Sword and fire and cruel death!

Only barren ones they're sparing

From the pain of loss, despairing.

 

8 Jesus, grant that I may ever

Follow Thee and closely see

How Thou suffered for me ever

And were filled with misery

How they took the purple cloak

And what fun at Thee they poke

How Thy pain they are increasing

When Thee to the cross they're pressing.

 

9 Gladly I will lowly bow me

Willingly Thy cross to bear

Help Thee, if they would allow me

In Thy burden yet to share.

If my eyes pour forth a flood

I would weep with tears of blood!

Since Thou on the cross must suffer

For my life the price to offer.

 

10 Grant me ever to be yearning

Burden of Thy cross to bear

From Thy perfect patience learning

To be falling from Thee ne'er

If my sin may bring to me

Greatest pain and misery

Thou wilt help me in my sighing,

In my need and in my dying.

 

GOOD FRIDAY

Christ's Crucifixion, Suffering, and Death

which can be used before the sermon on Good Friday, at Matins as well as at High Mass,

and also for Vespers according to the direction of the Ritual

BRYDER FREM I HULE SUCKE* [29]

tune: Freu dich sehr

Verse 15 translated by P. O. Stromme, 1898, alt.

 

1 Break ye forth, with empty sighing

From the depths within my heart;

Nothing ever was so trying

Piercing through my every part!

For the grief my soul must bear

And my inmost heart must share

Shall be from my eyes e'er flowing

And my tongue be e'er forth showing.

 

2 People out of every nation,

All the earth's most wretched throng,

Learn ye well sin's condemnation

For God's Son must suffer long!

God and Man for us today

All the debt of sin must pay.

God in flesh for us must suffer

And Himself to death must offer.

 

3 Unto death they now will lead Him;

Think, my soul, He passes there!

See, how sorely He is bleeding,

How His own cross He must bear!

See what misery He bears

See how pitifully He fares!

See the crown of thorns around Him,

How His blood would nearly drown Him.

 

4 Ponder on His wounds so painful

Writhing as a worm would be

See His spirit pierced and baneful

How He moans in misery.

Bruised and bleeding from the blows,

Scarcely able, forth He goes

With His cross upon Him lying

On to Golgotha for dying.

 

5 Ask ye not what He is wearing

All His clothes so bloody be

Now the wrath of God He's bearing

Sacrifice for all is He!

Wicked Serpent strikes His heel

Poison in His heart to spill;

All His veins are throughly rended

For our evil He is sended.

 

6 Ponder how the cross is dragging

O my soul, remember aye

Proudly they with heads a-wagging,

Clear for Him death's darkest way;

Sharp'ning nails and whetting spear,

For the spotless One draws near,

Who though innocent must bear it,

Who the greatest honour merits.

 

7 O how mockingly they offer

Bitter drink in front of all

And His weakened heart must suffer

All their evil filled with gall!

Myrrh and vinegar they tip

To His blessed sacred lip

Even in His place of judgement,

Oh, unheard of sin and torment!

 

8 High upon the cross they lift Him

Pressing hard, they make Him moan,

And with cruelty they outstretch Him,

Arms fatigued down to the bone

Nail Him to the cursed tree,

Thus to break His spirit free,

Wickedly they leave Him hanging,

Thus His suff'ring more prolonging.

 

9 All His powers have quickly faded

Hard His breath comes more and more

Heavy with His burden weighted

Covered all with many a sore!

Fleshly strength is all but gone

Weakened arms are all undone!

How He bows His head in anguish

And His eyes with blood must languish.

 

10 No more grace and no more mercies,

No escape, no help in need!

No one for his danger pities,

Though He doth profusely bleed!

No one offers sympathies

True compassion no one sees.

Not a heart with shame is shrinking

Deeper pain in His wounds sinking.

 

11 Everyone who passes by him,

Stand ye still and mark it well

Come yet closer, now to eye him,

In the whole world, can you tell:

Was there ever such a Man

Under God's most wrathful ban,

Filled with pain and condemnation,

Satan's darts and sin's oblation.

 

12 High between two vile transgressors

He is raised for sport and shame

Cruelly mocked by His oppressors

This is God's unspotted Lamb!

'Twixt the malefactors see

Lifted on the cursed tree

All my Joy, my Life, my Pleasure,

My Salvation, and my Treasure.

 

13 Hear Him join in prayer and feeling

To His Father lest He may

In His wrath the door be sealing

Unto grace and life's bright way

For His people Israel

Lest they be condemned to hell.

Still in grace to life He'd lead them

Though with scorn of death they treat Him.

 

14 On His cross has Pilate written

Splendid title: "King of Jews!"

Envy angry hearts has bitten

All who heritage misuse.

They insist on vengeance grim

Tearing Jesus limb from limb

Though they make Him bloody, gory,

Yet He is the King of Glory.

 

15 On my heart imprint Thine image,

Blessed Jesus, King of grace,

That life's riches, care, and pleasures

Have no power Thee to efface.

This the superscription be:

Jesus, Crucified for me,

Is my Life, my hope's Foundation,

And my Glory and Salvation.

 

16 This too added to His burden

As He in such sorrow died

That below His cross He heard them

How they would His clothes divide

How the soldiers sportingly

Sought amusement then to see

Who would gain His coat all seamless

As they make their games all shameless.

 

17 If I e'er am poor and needy

If the world so scornfully

Takes my clothing for to bleed me

Yet it still is well with me.

I shall never needy stand

When my judgement is at hand;

Then in gladness I shall wear it-

Jesus' righteousness and merit.

 

18 All the while I watch and worry

As they mock Thee spitefully

And each wicked wretch doth hurry,

Wagging head so gleefully;

But, O Jesus, by Thy pains

On Thy cross of bloody stains

My disgrace and shame do vanish

And my condemnation banish.

 

19 Now repentant one thief suffers

Throes of death in steadfast faith

Thy compassioned heart now offers

Promise of eternal life.

Free me, Jesus, from my shame

When as Judge, Thou call'st my name

Like the thief in faith now dying,

Grant me grace on Thee relying.

 

20 Jesus, all this makes me wonder

As I see each drop of blood,

Deep in thought I too must ponder

How Thy mother near Thee stood

By Thy cross she now must see

All Thy pain and misery

How such shame Thy powers spendeth

Sorrow deep her heart now rendeth.

 

21 Human language cannot borrow

How the sword hath piercéd through

Mary's soul is filled with sorrow,

As she deep in woe doth rue;

How she suffers sorrow's throe

Seeing all the pain and woe

Of her Son and God's Son only

As He hangs near death so lonely.

 

22 One disciple gives Him answer

He will for His mother care

One sweet drop doth comfort give her

In her anguish, hearing there

How He still doth care for her,

She may trust His promise sure

Jesus, grant in all my sorrow,

I may trust Thee for the morrow.

 

23 Sun no longer earth doth brighten

Covered all in shades of night.

Darkness strange the world doth frighten

Day itself hath turned to night.

Jesus, sadly cries aloud:

Eli, Eli, O my God!

Why hast Thou so soon forsaken

Thy dear Son by death o'ertaken?

 

24 My soul's Light and Consolation,

Thou art cursed for my misdeed.

Wash my shame in lamentation

Thy dark suffering hath me freed;

For my Lord's forsakenness

Frees me from death's cruel press

Hell's eternal death I merit,

But for me, my Lord did bear it.

 

25 Jesus thirsts but ne'er is given

Aught His thirst to satisfy

Vinegar is all they give Him

As He tastes it, hear Him cry:

It is finished, all indeed

That the Scripture hath decreed,

All that Adam lost by sinning,

By this drink again I'm winning.

 

26 As the drops of blood are drying

As His heart doth beating cease

Jesus unto heav'n is crying

Through death's bitter stormy seas:

Father, in My dying end

Soul and spirit I commend

In Thy hands, and thus He dying

Bows His head, God satisfying.

 

27 Jesus dies and earth is trembling,

O my heart, learn righteous fear

Die then, all my wicked grumbling!

Die and get thee far from here!

God and Man has died for me

Since my Adam ate the tree

Bringing all men condemnation

But now Christ has won salvation.

 

28 Jesus, I Thy death am grieving

For I caused Thy passion deep

Yet Thy death is my relieving

Even when in death I sleep.

For Thy death my life doth make

Though I oft Thy heart did break

Still in grace Thy love doth brace me

Sweetly unto life shall raise me.

 

29 O my Jesus, in my dying,

Grant that it may ever be

That I speak Thy words and sighing

Which Thou spoke upon the tree.

Bow Thy head in grace to me

When in sweat of death I be;

Kiss my soul, sweet grace imparting,

Even in my last departing.

 

After the Sermon

On the Seven Words Jesus Spoke on the Cross

GACK UNDER JESU KORS AT STAA* [17]

tune: Jesu søde Hukommelse

 

1 Come under Jesus' cross to stand,

O dearest soul, and now attend,

Hear Jesus' final words so sweet,

As He His final hour doth meet.

 

2 Upon the cross my Jesus lay

Despite the dragon's devious way,

The voice of grace resounded clear

With life and comfort us to cheer.

 

3 First for His enemies He says:

Father, forgive them in Thy grace

They know not what they do today,

So blind are they to sin's dark way.

 

4 O Jesus, also pray for me

Thou seest how weak and frail I be

In all my ways my whole life long

But by Thy prayer I am made strong.

 

5 He looked upon His mother dear

All filled with sorrow, pain, and fear,

Pierced through, her very soul and life

With murder's sword and killing knife.

 

6 He gave to her another son

To soothe and comfort all her pain.

John, take her as thine own for me;

Henceforth thy mother now to be.

 

7 O Jesus, when I too am lost,

Forsaken, burdened by a cross,

Friendless, surrounded all by sin,

Send faithful friends to take me in.

 

8 The thief repented of his sin

And turned to Christ to take him in

Christ broke for him death's cruel ties:

Today you enter Paradise.

 

9 Let me then in my final hour

Receive from Jesus comfort's power

O daily let me mend my ways

And make me heaven's child always.

 

10 How horrible the fourth sad word!

Such grief hath heaven never heard:

My God, My God, oh why hast Thou

Forsaken Me, so needy now?

 

11 'Twas for my sin Thou suffered all,

And God's fierce wrath on Thee did fall.

That I forsaken ne'er shall be

When death's dark shadow falls on me.

 

12 God's anger with its burning flame

Consumed the vigor of His frame!

"I thirst," he said, and then received

The vinegar which sorely grieved.

 

13 With taste so bitter yet He saith:

Now "It is finished" with His death

All that the Scriptures testified

Is now complete when He has died.

 

14 So willingly Thou takest in

The sour and bitter taste of sin!

From Adam's sin I drank in first,

But Thou drank poison in Thy thirst.

 

15 Therefore I thirst deep in my heart

That Thou to me wouldst yet impart

Not bitter drink, but waters pure,

Which flow from Thee forevermore.

 

16 His final words then Jesus spoke

All filled with certainty and hope:

"Father, into Thy precious hand

My soul and spirit I commend."

 

17 These words the words my heart must find

Impressed upon my soul and mind;

These words may I repeat with mirth

At last when I depart this earth.

 

 

A General Passion Hymn

O STORE GUD DIN KIERLIGHED [10]

tune: Durch Adams Fall

Translated by G. T. Rygh, 1908

 

1 Thy love, O gracious Lord and God,

All other loves excelling,

Attunes my heart to sweet accord,

And passes power of telling;

For when Thy wondrous love I see,

My heart yields glad submission;

I love Thee for Thy love to me

In my poor, lost condition.

 

2 Yea, Thou hast loved our fallen race,

And rather than condemn us,

Cast out and banish from Thy face,

Thine only Son didst send us;

Who died upon the cross, that we

Should all be saved forever;

Hence Jesus also died for me,

My soul, forget it never.

 

3 Thy love, O God, embraces all,

And Jesus' merits cover

The guilt of all, both great and small,

The world of sinners over.

Thy Spirit doth Thy light afford

To all who will receive it,

And from Thy knowledge bars Thy word

No soul who will believe it.

 

4 But what hath moved Thee, gracious Lord?

Why is Thine heart still yearning,

Since the great world rejects Thy word,

Thy love and mercy spurning?

For men go on in sin each day

In carnal-minded blindness

And O how few Thy call obey,

And heed Thy lovingkindness!

 

5 In us no beauty Thou couldst see,

And no intrinsic merit;

We all were poor-but misery

And sin we did inherit.

We wandered each a different path,

And in our lost condition,

By nature children of His wrath,

Whom sin doomed to perdition.

 

6 Our virtues and our own good deeds

With God cannot avail us;

With these the enemy misleads,

Such righteousness shall fail us;

Our will and strength and soul are dead

In evil inclination;

Christ Jesus has the ransom paid,

And gained for us salvation.

 

7 O gracious God, Thy loving heart

Was full of sweet compassion;

And felt our woe and desperate smart,

And planned our restoration;

Thy grace and justice found a way

To save us from death's horror;

And everlasting judgement stay,

And give us joy for sorrow.

 

8 On Christ, the rock, I'm anchored fast,

By faith in Him remaining;

I'll weather every stormy blast,

My peace of soul retaining;

On Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

My ever firm foundation,

Until the harbor bar is crossed,

And I see God's salvation.

 

9 O Jesus, at my dying breath

Hold Thou my hand securely,

And may I in a living faith

Holy fast to Thee most surely;

That my last prayer to Thee may rise,

My soul to Thee commending,

And I shall find in Paradise

The joys of life unending.

 

Another General Passion Hymn

O JESU VERDENS FRELSERMAND* [10]

tune: Ich ruf zu dir

 

1 Redeemer of the world, O Christ,

Thou Prince of Life enchanting,

Like as the deer for waters thirsts

My soul for Thee is panting.

O Thou, the Father's only Son

Descended down from heaven

By love driven

To rescue Adam's own

That Satan might be overthrown.

 

2 Since I and all mankind once were

Cast deep into death's yawning

By Adam's sin in danger were

And Satan's cruel dawning

In fulness of the time Thou came

And born of Virgin Mary

For to bury

Our death and all our blame

And Satan's might to put to shame.

 

3 Thy Father's wrath and fearful ban

Naught else could e'er extinguish

Except for Thee, true God and Man;

Our deed Thou didst accomplish

And for us hardship to endure

Thyself to death now giving

And be living,

A bloody offering for

The whole world's sin Thou dost outpour.

 

4 Thy precious blood atonement sends

The sin of all men sharing

For sin Thou makest full amends

Eternal death us sparing

Lest we remain impenitent

In sin rejecting Thy name

To our deep blame

And lose our home in heaven,

To blasphemy and sin e'er giv'n.

 

5 No longer earth doth pleasure me

Nor riches me are taking

Nor power nor height that I may see

At all my pleasure making

Compared to Jesus' mercy free

His precious cross and sighing

And His dying;

The world doth weary me

Gladly in heav'n I now would be.

 

6 And if my sins still more may be

Than sands upon the seashore

If Satan my affliction see

And every day tempt me more

In faith I trod him to the ground;

With Jesus' precious merit

I may bear it

In Him I grace have found

Which has no measure and no bound.

 

7 And shall I under God's good will

Still more than others carry

My burden of both pain and ill,

A cross to make me weary;

Thou for my soul true good dost earn,

For Thou my cross art bearing,

My stripes wearing,

That patience I may learn

And ever more for heaven yearn.

 

8 If I'm oppressed by many foes

And persecuted for Thee

Receiving many powerful blows

Yet it shall be my glory

So let them with their might and fear

Now persecute and slay me

Willing shall be

My heart when now appear

Before my eyes Thy pains severe.

 

9 When weakness over me doth flow

When sickness, pain, and sorrow

Shall grip me all from head to toe

Deep in my bone and marrow

Then comfort me with Thy dear power

To which my soul is cleaving

And receiving

Thy blood, a precious shower

To soothe my wounds in every hour.

 

10 And when at last in death I sleep

My eyes at last be resting

Then nothing in my final sleep

Shall me from faith be wresting

For by Thy death I bold may be

And on Thy faith relying

In my dying;

Then take my soul to Thee,

Thee I will praise eternally.

Send comments to: gargy@carolinainternationalschool.org