Lutheran Service Book ‎#440

440. Jesus, I Will Ponder Now

1 Jesus, I will ponder now
On Your holy passion;
With Your Spirit me endow
For such meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith
May the image cherish
Of Your suff'ring, pain, and death
That I may not perish.

2 Make me see Your great distress,
Anguish, and affliction,
Bonds and stripes and wretchedness
And Your crucifixion:
Make me see how scourge and rod,
Spear and nails did wound You,
How for them You died, O God,
Who with thorns had crowned You.

3 Yet, O Lord, not thus alone
Make me see Your passion,
But its cause to me make known
And its termination.
Ah! I also and my sin
Wrought Your deep affliction;
This indeed the cause has been
Of Your crucifixion.

4 Grant that I Your passion view
With repentant grieving,
Let me not bring shame to You
By unholy living.
How could I refuse to shun
Ev'ry sinful pleasure
Since for me God's only Son
Suffered without measure?

5 If my sins give me alarm
And my conscience grieve me,
Let Your cross my fear disarm;
Peace of conscience give me.
Help me see forgiveness won
By Your holy passion.
If for me He slays His Son,
God must have compassion!

6 Graciously my faith renew;
Help me bear my crosses,
Learning humbleness from You,
Peace mid pain and losses.
May I give You love for love!
Hear me, O my Savior,
That I may in heav'n above
Sing Your praise forever.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus, I will ponder now
• Title: Jesus, I Will Ponder Now
• Author: Sigismund von Birken, 1626-81
• Translator: August Crull, 1845-1923 (alt. )
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2006
• Scripture:
  Isaiah 53:3-6
  ;
  John 3:16
  ;
  Romans 12:1-2
  ;
  1 John 4:19

Tune Information

• Name: JESU KREUZ, LEIDEN UND PEIN
• Composer: Melchior Vulpius, c. 1570-1615
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Incipit: 32123 45654 32134
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 (Setting)