On His soul the arrows shower;
All the garden-flowers are wet
With the drops of bloody sweat,
From His anguished frame distilling-
World's redemption thus fulfilling.
5. But, O flowers, so sadly watered
By this pure and precious dew,
In some blessed hour your blossoms
'Neath the olive-shadows grew!
Paradise's gardens bear
Naught that can with you compare,
For the blood thus sprinkled o'er ye
Makes my soul the heir of glory.
6. When as flowers themselves I wither,
When I droop and fade like grass,
When the life-streams through my pulses
Dull and ever duller pass,
When at last they cease to roll,
Then to cheer my sinking soul,
Grace of Jesus, be Thou given—
Source of triumph! Pledge of heaven!
1. O BLEEDING head, and wounded,
And full of pain and scorn,
With cruel crown of thorn!
O Head! once crowned with glory
And heavenly majesty,
But now abused and gory,
Yet here I welcome Thee!
2. O face of noble features,
Before which worlds did bow
Once dreaded by all creatures,
Men spit upon Thee now!
Whence is this deathlike whiteness?
Whose ruthless hand has quelled
Thine eyes' celestial brightness,
Which earthly lights excelled?
3. Thy cheeks' bright hue is vanished Thy rosy lips' sweet breath
Has fled now; all has banished
The strong hand of pale Death,
Who has with cruel rigor
Bereft Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor
And strength in this sad strife.
4. My burden, dearest Saviour,
Hast thus Thou borne for me,
My sinful misbehaviour
IIas caused Thine agony.
Lo! I am the transgressor
Whom curse and wrath behoove:
Grant me, my intercessor,
A single glance of love!
5. My Guardian, do receive me?
My Shepherd, own me Thine!
What blessings didst Thou give me,
O Source of gifts divine!
How oft Thy mouth has fed me
With milk and sweetest food!
How oft Thy Spirit led me
To stores of heavenly good!
6. Near Thee I'll stand forever,
Oh, do not drive me back!
Lord, I will leave Thee never;
Yea, when Thy heart doth break,
And when Thy head doth languish
In death's last fatal grasp,
Then in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.
7. It fils my heart with gladness.
Gives joy unto my mind,
When in Thy pain and sadness,
My Saviour, me I find.
Ah well for me, if lying
Here at Thy feet, my Life,
I too with Thee were dying,
And thus might end my strife!
8. My heart its thanks is offring
To Thee, O dearest friend,
For by Thy death and suff'ring
My good Thou didst intend.
Ah! grant that I may ever
Be true to Thee in faith;
When soul and body sever,
In Thee may be my death.
9. O Lord, do Thou not leave me,
When I this world must leave,
But Thy support do give me,
When my last sigh I heave;
When soul and body languish
In death's last agony,
Then take away mine anguish.
By Thine on Calvary.
10. Be Thou my consolation
And shield, when I must die,
Let me behold Thy passion,
When my last hour draws nigh;
My dim eyes then shall see Thee,
Upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfold Thee;
Who dieth thus, dies well!
Bernhard of Chairyaux. P. Gerhardt.
1. LORD, Thy death and passion give
Strength and comfort at my need,
Every hour while here I live,
On Thy love my soul shall feed.
Doth some evil thought upstart?
Lo, Thy cross defends my heart,
Shows the peril, and I shrink
Back from loitering on the brink.
2. Doth my carnal nature yearn
After wanton joys? again
Quickly to Thy cross I turn,
And her voice is heard in vain.
Cometh strong temptation's hour,
When my foe puts forth his power?
Sheltered by this holy shield,
Soon I drive him from the field.
3. Would the world my steps entice To yon wide and level road, Filled with mirth. alluring vice?
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