Lyrics
1. Jesus, I will ponder now
On Thy holy Passion;
With Thy Spirit me endow
For such meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith
May the image cherish
Of Thy suffering, pain, and death,
That I may not perish.
2. Make me see Thy great distress,
Anguish, and affliction,
Bonds and stripes and wretchedness
And Thy crucifixion;
Make me see how scourge and rod,
Spear and nails, did wound Thee,
How for man Thou diedst, O God,
Who with thorns had crowned Thee.
3. Yet, O Lord, not thus alone
Make me see Thy Passion,
But its cause to me make known
And its termination.
Ah! I also and my sin
Wrought Thy deep affliction;
This indeed the cause hath been
Of Thy crucifixion.
4. Grant that I Thy Passion view
With repentant grieving
Nor Thee crucify anew
By unholy living.
How could I refuse to shun
Every 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 Thy cross my fear disarm,
Peace of conscience give me.
Grant that I may trust in Thee
And Thy holy Passion.
If His Son so loveth me,
God must have compassion.
6. Grant that I may willingly
Bear with Thee my crosses,
Learning humbleness of Thee,
Peace mid pain and losses.
May I give Thee love for love!
Hear me, O my Savior,
That I may in heaven above
Sing Thy praise forever.
7. **alt version***
8. Jesus, I will ponder now
On Your holy Passion;
Let Your Spirit now endow
Me for meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith
May the image cherish
Of Your suffering, pain and death
That I may not perish.
9. 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 You died for those, O God,
Who with thorns had crowned You.
10. Let, O Lord, not thus alone
Make me see your Passion,
But its cause to me make known
And its termination.
For I also and my sin
Wrought your deep affliction;
This the shameful cause has been
Of Your crucifixion.
11. Let me view Your pain and loss
With repentant grieving,
Nor prepare again your cross
By unholy living.
May I give you love for love!
Hear me, O my Savior,
That I may in Heav’n above
Sing your praise forever.