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]

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Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary home page (ELH has 16 hymns by Thomas Kingo)

O come, let us worship (A Study in Lutheran Liturgy and Hymnody by M. DeGarmeaux) (107k)

The Path of Understanding -- The Development of Lectionaries and their use in the Lutheran Church (by the Rev. Alexander Ring)

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.

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