HYMN - O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED

APRIL 24^TH    

TEXT: ISAIAH 53; MATHEW 27:39-43; PHILIPPIANS 2:8; 1PETER 3:18

Memory Verse: And when they had plaited 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!” and they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.  (Mathew 27:29,30 KJV).

It is difficult to join our fellow believers each Lenten season in the singing of this passion hymn without being moved almost to tears. For more than 800 years these worshipful lines from the heart of a devoted medieval monk have portrayed for parishioners a memorable view of the suffering Saviour.

This remarkable text has been generally attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, the very admirable abbot of a monastery in France. Forsaking the wealth and ease of a noble family for a life of simplicity, holiness, prayer and ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of others, Bernard was one of the most influential church leaders of his day. Martin Luther wrote of him, “He was the best monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together.”

“O sacred Head, Now wounded” was part of the final portion of a lengthy poem that addressed the various parts of Christ’s body as He suffered on the cross. The seven sections of the poem considered His feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart and face. The stanzas of the hymn were translated into German in the 17^th Century and from German into English in the 19^th century. God has preserved this exceptional hymn, which led Christians through the centuries to more ardent worship of His Son.

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, now scornfully surrounded with thorns Thy only crown; how art Thou pale 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; vouch-safe to me Thy grace.
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 outlive my love to Thee!

ACTION POINT: Ponder a new your suffering Saviour; then commit your life more fully to Him. Allow these musical truths to help you in your meditation.

TAKEN FROM “AMAZING GRACE; 366 INSPIRING HYMN STORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTION”