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.
Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!
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.
My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee.
I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not!
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.
My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.
Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.
Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish in death's cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.
The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring, I'd breathe my soul to Thee.
My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!
Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Video
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Introduction
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" is a hymn that has been sung by Christians for centuries. It was originally written in the 11th century by a German monk named Bernard of Clairvaux. The hymn was inspired by the biblical account of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The song has been translated into many languages and has been set to various musical arrangements. One of the most popular arrangements of the hymn was made by Johann Sebastian Bach in the 18th century.
Overview of the Song
The song "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" is a hymn that focuses on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The song describes the pain and anguish that Jesus endured on the cross and the love that he showed by willingly giving his life for the sins of humanity.
The song begins with the lines, "O sacred head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown." These lines describe the physical pain that Jesus suffered on the cross. The image of the crown of thorns is particularly poignant, as it represents the mockery and scorn that Jesus endured from those who witnessed his crucifixion.
The second verse of the song turns to the spiritual significance of Jesus' sacrifice. The lyrics state, "What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners' gain; mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain." These lines acknowledge the fact that the suffering of Jesus was not just physical but also had a spiritual significance. Jesus died for the sins of humanity, taking on the punishment that we deserved.
The third verse of the song focuses on the physical appearance of Jesus on the cross. The lyrics state, "Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance, though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance." These lines contrast the way that Jesus appeared to those who were physically present at his crucifixion with the power and majesty that he possesses as the Son of God.
The fourth verse of the song returns to the spiritual significance of Jesus' sacrifice. The lyrics state, "My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me, for it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee." These lines emphasize the fact that Jesus willingly took on the burden of sin and death so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God.
The fifth verse of the song focuses on the relationship between the believer and Jesus Christ. The lyrics state, "Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part; O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart." These lines express the desire of the believer to remain faithful to Jesus, even in the face of trials and suffering.
The final verse of the song looks forward to the believer's ultimate fate. The lyrics state, "Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell, my heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well." These lines express the hope of the believer that they will one day be reunited with Jesus in heaven.
Inspiration and Story Behind the Song
The inspiration for "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" comes from the biblical account of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The song is based on the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which describe in detail the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross.
The hymn was originally written by Bernard of Clairvaux in the 11th century. Bernard was a French monk who was known for his devotion to Christ and his writings on Christian spirituality. The hymn was originally part of a larger work called "Salve Mundi Salutare," which was a collection of hymns and prayers focused on the suffering and death of Jesus.
The hymn was later translated into German by Paul Gerhardt in the 17th century. Gerhardt was a Lutheran pastor who was known for his hymns and poetry. It was Gerhardt's translation of the hymn that inspired Johann Sebastian Bach to set it to music in the 18th century.
Bible Verses Referenced in the Song
The lyrics of "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" are based on the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The following Bible verses are referenced in the song:
- Matthew 27:29 - "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!"
- Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
- Luke 23:35 - "And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God."
- John 19:30 - "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."
Practical Application of the Song to Christian Living
The song "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" is a powerful reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for the sins of humanity. It is a call to believers to remember the depth of God's love and the price that was paid for their salvation.
One practical application of the song is to use it as a tool for meditation and reflection. By focusing on the lyrics of the hymn, believers can gain a deeper understanding of the suffering and death of Jesus and the significance of his sacrifice.
Another practical application of the song is to use it as a reminder of the call to follow Jesus. The last verse of the hymn expresses the hope of the believer that they will one day be reunited with Jesus in heaven. This can serve as a motivation for believers to live their lives in a way that is faithful to Christ and obedient to his commands.
Conclusion
"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" is a hymn that has been sung by Christians for centuries. It is a powerful reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for the sins of humanity. The song is based on the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus and expresses the depth of God's love and the price that was paid for our salvation. By using the song as a tool for meditation and reflection, believers can gain a deeper understanding of the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the call to follow him.
