When I survey the wonderous cross…

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all. 

Isaac Watts: 1674-1748 Psalter Hymnal, 1987 (Music Lowell Mason 1792-1872)

  1. Du, Ehrenkönig Jesus Christ / Verurteilt Du, weil Heiland der Welt / Des Vaters Zorn dort auf Dich zogst / Sein Urteil daher uns gnädig trifft.
  2. Die Dornenkron ziert Dich bitterschön / All Schmerz uns vertretend Du littst / Dein Leib zermartert Gott zu versöhn / Du, Mensch und Gott in Dir verbindst.
  3. Dein Tod der Brunn unseres Lebens nun ist / Da Liebe, Gnade, Fried uns zugut / Zufließen uns in Deinem Blut / Heilsströme Seligkeit Lebensmut.
  4. Wenn ich Dich dort am Kreuze betracht / Wo Du für mich Gotts Strafe ertrugst. Alles sonst in gar Nichts verblasst / Eigenruhm flaut, neu Zutrauen sprosst.
  5. Wäre die Welt zu verschenken nur mein / So wär sie zu klein als Vergeltung Dir / Dein Lieb, so wundersam, so fein / Mein Leben gehört so verdient Dir.

Wilhelm Weber, Wittenberg 2019

About Wilhelm Weber

Pastor at the Old Latin School in the Lutherstadt Wittenberg
This entry was posted in Lent, psalms and spiritual songs and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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