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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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)

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.

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