Easter Week and A Hymn
The familiar hymn often associated with Easter,“O Sacred Head Now Wounded” is based on the long medieval poem attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (1153). The lengthy poem, in seven sections, about the suffering of Christ on the cross, addresses each part of Jesus’ body- his feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart and head.This hymn, translated from Latin into German (1601) and from Latin into English (1830), is the seventh section that focuses on Jesus’ head.
The familiar hymn often associated with Easter,“O Sacred Head Now Wounded” is based on the long medieval poem attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (1153). The lengthy poem, in seven sections, about the suffering of Christ on the cross, addresses each part of Jesus’ body- his feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart and head.This hymn, translated from Latin into German (1601) and from Latin into English (1830), is the seventh section that focuses on Jesus’ head.
Four of the eleven verses are printed here.I cannot read these verses without deep gratitude for the sacrifice Jesus made for my sins. O the wonder of His grace! His agonizing suffering paid the debt we as sinners, separated from God, could have never paid. Because he died in our place our sins are forgiven. This is true for all who acknowledge their sin and accept this free gift of salvation.I am overwhelmed by His sacrifice.
"O Sacred Head Now Wounded" (J.W. Alexander’s version, 1830)
O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!
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.
Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there.
Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.
What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.
Will you join me, and all those in ages past in the church who read and sang this beautiful poem, in worship and praise of Christ for His incredible sacrifice? Can you hear the music?
Try: http://songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/O-Sacred-Head-Now-Wounded
Gail Seidel
Gail Seidel served as Mentor Advisor for Spiritual Formation in the Department of Spiritual Formation and Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and as an Adjunct Professor in the D Min in Spiritual Formation in the D Min Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has a BA in English from the University of Texas, a Masters in Christian Education from Dallas Seminary and a D Min in Spiritual Formation from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is a contributor to the textbook, Foundations of Spiritual Formation, Kregel Academic. She served as co-director for Christian Women in Partnership Russia with Entrust, an international church leadership-training mission. She and her husband Andy live in Fredericksburg, Texas. They have 2 married children and 6 wonderful grandchildren--Kami, Kourtney, Katie, Mallory, Grayson, and Avery.
