Scripture Verse

The sufferings of Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5

Introduction

portrait
Sigismund von Birken
1626–1681

Words: Sig­is­mund von Bir­ken, in Jo­hann Sau­bert’s Nürn­berg­isch­es Ge­sang Buch (Nur­em­berg, Ger­ma­ny: Ger­hard & Gö­bel, 1676), num­ber 83 (Jesu, deine Pas­sion). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Ar­thur T. Rus­sell, Psalms and Hymns (Cam­bridge, Eng­land: John Deigh­ton, 1851), num­ber 87.

Music: Je­su Kreuz, Lei­den und Pein Mel­chi­or Vul­pi­us, Ein schön geist­lich Ge­sang­buch (Je­na, Ger­ma­ny: 1609) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

Jesu! Be Thy suffering love
Now my meditation:
Aid me from Thy throne above:
Bless my contemplation.
Now unto mine heart appear,
As, for my salvation,
Thou wast once a sufferer here—
Thou our expiation!

Let my faith behold Thee, Lord,
As for me surrounded
With derision, with the sword
Of revilers wounded:
Lo! the scourge—the crown of thorn,
Spear and nails all rend Thee!
Lo! Thy cruel foes with scorn
On the cross extend Thee!

Let me not in vain behold
What Thou hast endurèd:
Lord, the cause—the fruit unfold—
Fruit Thy death procurèd:
Lord, to Thee the cause I own,
I and my transgression:
Not Thy heathen foes alone
Owe to Thee confession.

Let me still with sorrowing heart
Be Thy griefs reviewing;
Nor by sin new grief impart,
All Thy wounds renewing.
Therein shall I pleasure take—
When for my transgression
God did an atonement make
Great beyond expression?