Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church ‎#84b

84b. The Words on the Cross

Part I:

"Father, forgive them: for thy know not what they do."

1 Jesus, in Thy dying woes,
Even while Thy life-blood flows,
Craving pardon for Thy foes:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

2 Saviour, for our pardon sue,
When our sins Thy pangs renew,
For we know not what we do:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

3 O may we, who mercy need,
Be like Thee in heart and deed,
When with wrong our spirits bleed:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Part II

"To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise."

1 Jesus, pitying the sighs
Of the thief who near Thee dies,
Promising him Paradise:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

2 May we,in our guilt and shame,
Still Thy love and mercy claim,
Calling humbly on Thy Name:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

3 May our hearts to Thee incline,
Looking from our cross to Thine;
Cheer our souls with hope divine:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Part III

"Woman, behold thy Son! Behold thy mother!"

1 Jesus, loving to the end
Her whose heart Thy sorrows rend,
And Thy dearest human friend:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

2 May we in Thy sorrows share,
For Thy sake all peril dare,
And enjoy Thy tender care:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

3 May we all Thy loved ones be,
All one holy family,
Loving for the love of Thee:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Part IV

"My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"

1 Jesus, whelmed in fears unknown,
With our evil left alone,
While no light from heaven is shown:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

2 When we seem in vain to pray,
And our hope seems far away,
In the darkness be our stay:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

3 Though no Father seem to hear,
Though no light our spirits cheer,
May we know that God is near:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Part V
"I thirst."

1 Jesus, in Thy thirst and pain,
While Thy wounds Thy life-blood drain,
Thirsting more our love to gain:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

2 Thirst for us in mercy still;
All Thy holy work fulfill:
Satisfy Thy loving will:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

3 May we thirst Thy love to know;
Lead us in our sin and woe
Where the healing waters flow:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Part VI
"It is finished."

1 Jesus, all our ransom paid,
All Thy Father's will obeyed;
By Thy suff'rings perfect made:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

2 Save us in our soul's distress;
Be our help to cheer and bless,
While we grow in holiness:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

3 Brighten all our heavenward way
With an ever holier ray,
Till we pass to perfect day:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Part VII
"Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit"

1 Jesus, all Thy labor vast,
All Thy woe and conflict past;
Yielding up Thy soul at last:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

2 When the death shades round us lower,
Guard us from the tempter's power,
Keep us in that trial hour:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

3 May Thy life and death supply,
Grace to live and grace to die,
Grace to reach the home on high:
Hear us, Holy Jesus.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus, in Thy dying woes
• Title: The Words on the Cross
• Author: Thomas Benson Pollock (1870)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1917
• Scripture:
  Luke 23:34
  ;
  Luke 23:43
  ;
  John 19:26-27
  ;
  Matthew 27:46
  ;
  John 19:28
  ;
  John 19:30
  ;
  Luke 23:46
• Topic: The Church Year: Lent: Litany Hymns
• Notes: Seven parts.

Tune Information

• Name: LITANY
• Meter: 7 7 7, 6
• Key: G Major
• Source: St. Alban's Tune Book, 1866