Church Hymnary (4th ed.) ‎#382

382. O Sacred Head! sore wounded

1 O Sacred Head! sore wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down!
O Kingly Head, surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown!
How pale art thou with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that face now languish,
which once was bright as morn!

2 O Lord of life and glory,
what bliss till now was thine!
I read the wondrous story;
I joy to call thee mine.
Thy grief and bitter Passion
were all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.

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

4 Be near me, Lord, when dying;
O show thy cross to me;
and, my last need supplying,
come, Lord, and set me free;
these eyes, new faith receiving,
from thee shall never move;
for they who die believing
die safely through thy love.

Text Information

• First Line: O Sacred Head! sore wounded
• German Title: O Haupt voll blut und Wunden
• Translator: James Waddell Alexander (1804-1859) (alt.)
• Author: Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2005
• Scripture:
  1 Peter 2:24
  ;
  1 Peter 3:18
  ;
  1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
  ;
  Acts 7:54-56
  ;
  Isaiah 52:14
  ;
  Isaiah 53:4-5
  ;
  John 19:2
  ;
  John 19:5
  ;
  John 21:15-22
  ;
  Matthew 27:29
  ;
  Psalm 17:15
• Topic: Life in Christ: Christ Incarnante - Passion and Death; Christian Year: Good Friday; Death and Bereavement; Devotion

Tune Information

• Name: PASSION CHORALE
• Harmonizer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Key: C Major
• Source: Traditional secular melody in Hans Leo Hassler's Lustgarten neuer teutscher Gesäng, 1601