The Worshipbook ‎#524

524. 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,
Vouchsafe to me 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.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: O sacred Head, now wounded
• Title: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
• Author: Paul Gerhardt (1656)
• Translator: James W. Alexander (1830)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Publication Date: 1972
• Scripture:
  John 19:2-5
• Topic: Sacraments: Lord's Supper; Christian Year: Lent; Christian Year: Good Friday; Other Observances: World Communion
• Source: Based on medieval Latin poem

Tune Information

• Name: PASSION CHORALE
• Composer: Hans Leo Hassler (1601)
• Harmonizer: J. S. Bach (1729)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Key: C Major