Voices Together ‎#325

325. 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!
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss till now was thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call thee mine.

2 What thou, my Lord, 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 grant to me thy grace.

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

4 Be near when I am dying,
oh, show thy cross to me,
and for my rescue, flying,
come, Lord, and set me free!
These eyes, new faith receiving,
from Jesus shall not move,
for one who dies believing
dies safely, through thy love.

Text Information

• First Line: O sacred Head, now wounded
• Title: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
• Author: Paul Gerhardt
• Translator: James W. Alexander
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Publication Date: 2020
• Scripture:
  Isaiah 50:4-9
  ;
  Matthew 27:28-30
  ;
  Mark 15:16-20
  ;
  John 19:1-5
• Topic: Atonement; Death and Eternal Life; Heritage: Before 1500; Jesus Christ: Love of; Suffering
• Source: based on “Salve caput cruentatum,” anon. (present-day France), 13th c.; Paul Gerhardt (present-day Germany), “O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden,” Praxis Pietatis Melica, 1656; trans. James W. Alexander (USA), rev. The Breaking Crucible, 1861

Tune Information

• Name: HERZLICH TUT MICH VERLANGEN
• Composer: Hans L. Hassler
• Harmonizer: J. S. Bach
• Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
• Key: D Major
• Source: Lustgarten neuer Teutscher Gesäng, 1601; harm. J. S. Bach (present-day Germany), St. Matthew Passion, 1729