Lyrics
1. O dearest Jesus, what law hast
Thou broken
That such sharp sentence should
on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou
to make confession—
What dark transgression?
2. They crown Thy head with thorns,
they smite, they scourge Thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross
they urge Thee;
They give Thee gall to drink,
they still decry Thee;
They crucify Thee.
3. Whence come these sorrows,
whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord,
must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe,
Thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.
4. What punishment so strange
is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep
that loved to wander;
The Master pays the debt
His servants owe Him,
Who would not know Him.
5. The sinless Son of God
must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man
may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted—
God is committed.
6. There was no spot in me by sin untainted;
Sick with sin’s poison,
all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell
had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me.
7. O wondrous love,
whose depth no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here,
by foes and thieves surrounded!
All worldly pleasures,
heedless, I was trying
While Thou wert dying.
8. O mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad
Thy wondrous story?
How shall I find
some worthy gifts to proffer?
What dare I offer?
9. For vainly doth
our human wisdom ponder—
Thy woes, Thy mercy,
still transcend our wonder.
Oh, how should I do
aught that could delight Thee!
Can I requite Thee?
10. Yet unrequited, Lord,
I would not leave Thee;
I will renounce whate’er doth vex
or grieve Thee
And quench with thoughts
of Thee and prayers most lowly
All fires unholy.
11. But since my strength
will nevermore suffice me
To crucify desires that still entice me,
To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me
And reign within me!
12. I’ll think upon Thy mercy without ceasing,
That earth’s vain joys
to me no more be pleasing;
To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever.
13. Whate’er of earthly good
this life may grant me,
I’ll risk for Thee; no shame,
no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do
to harm me
Nor death alarm me.
14. But worthless is my sacrifice, I own it;
Yet, Lord, for love’s sake
Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift
in Thy great meekness
Nor shame my weakness.
15. And when, dear Lord,
before Thy throne in Heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns
Thy saints forever raise Thee,
I, too, shall praise Thee.