Comments on a Hymn

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

This hymn is the fruit of meditation. The hymn writer spent some time just thinking about Jesus as He hung on that cross. As a result, he was reminded of some things. He was reminded of Jesus as the despised and gory, but whom he rejoiced to call his own. He was reminded of the sin that put Jesus there, his own sin. And he was reminded to respond with his own devoted love.

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.

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.

What language shall I borrow,
To thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Oh! make me Thine forever,
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love to Thee.