1 Jesus, grant that balm and healing
in your holy wounds I find,
ev'ry hour that I am feeling
pains of body and of mind.
Should some evil thought within
tempt my treach'rous heart to sin,
show the peril, and from sinning
keep me from its first beginning.
2 Should some lust or sharp temptation
fascinate my sinful mind,
let me think about your passion,
and new courage I shall find.
Or should Satan press me hard,
let me then be on my guard,
saying, "Christ for me was wounded,"
that the tempter flee confounded.
3 If the world my heart entices
with the broad and easy road,
with seductive, sinful vices,
let me weigh the awful load
you were willing to endure.
Help me flee all thoughts impure,
master each wild temptation,
calm in prayer and meditation.
4 Ev'ry wound that pains or grieves me
by your wounds, Lord, is made whole;
when I'm weak, your cross revives me,
granting new life to my soul.
Yes, your comfort renders sweet
ev'ry bitter cup I meet;
for your all-atoning passion
has procured my soul's salvation.
5 O my God, my rock and tower,
grant that in your death I trust,
knowing death has lost its power
since you crushed it in the dust.
Savior, let your agony
ever help and comfort me;
when I die be my protection,
light and life and resurrection.
Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #404
Johann Heermann's (b. Raudten, Silesia, Austria, 1585; d. Lissa, Posen [now Poland], 1647) own suffering and family tragedy led him to meditate on Christ's undeserved suffering. The only surviving child of a poor furrier and his wife, Heermann fulfilled his mother's vow at his birth that, if he lived, he would become a pastor. Initially a teacher, Heermann became a minister in the Lutheran Church in Koben in 1611 but had to stop preaching in 1634 due to a severe throat infection. He retired in 1638. Much of his ministry took place during the Thirty Years' War. At times he had to flee for his life and on several occasions lost all his possessions. Although Heermann wrote many of his hymns and poems during these devastating times, his persona… Go to person page >
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