O Sacred Head. Now Wounded - Hymn with Lyrics

 

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 for Thee.

4. Be near when I am dying,
O show Thy cross to me!
And, for my succor flying,
come, Lord, to set me free:
these eyes, new faith receiving,
from Thee shall never move;
for he who dies believing
dies safely in Thy love

Scripture; 

Job 3:17; 

Psalm 17:15; 

Isaiah 50:4-9; 

Zechariah 12:10

The hymn "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" was written in the 12th century. The text was originally composed in Latin by the German hymn writer Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153). The original Latin version is titled "Salve caput cruentatum", which translates to "Hail, Wounded Head".

The hymn was later translated into German and then into English. The most common English version, which is the one widely used today, was translated by James W. Alexander in the 19th century, specifically in 1830.

The hymn reflects on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, particularly during the Passion, and is often sung during the seasons of Lent and Good Friday.