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 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.

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