Chalice Hymnal ‎#202

202. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

1 O sacred head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!

2 What thou, O Christ, hast suffered
was all for sinners’ gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
’Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
and keep me in thy grace.

3 What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest Friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love to thee.

Text Information

• First Line: O sacred head, now wounded
• Title: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
• Author (attributed to): Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th C. (12th century)
• Translator: James W. Alexander (1830)
• Meter: 76.76D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1995
• Topic: God Known in Jesus Christ: Suffering and Death; Christian Year: Holy Week; Gratitude; Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ: Cross; Jesus Christ: Love; Jesus Christ: Savior; Jesus Christ: Suffering; Love: For Christ; Penitence

Tune Information

• Name: PASSION CHORALE
• Composer: Hans L. Hassler (1601)
• Harmonizer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1729)
• Meter: 76.76D
• Key: e minor