American Lutheran Hymnal ‎#397

397. O Darkest Woe

1 O darkest woe!
Ye tears, forth flow!
Has earth so sad a wonder,
That the Father's only Son
Now lies buried yonder!

2 O sorrow dread!
Our God is dead,
But by His expiation
Of our guilt upon the cross
Gained for us salvation.

3 O sinful man!
It was the ban
Of death on thee that bro't Him
Down to suffer for thy sins
And such woe hath wrought Him.

4 O ground of faith,
Laid low in death!
Sweet lips now silent sleeping:
Surely all that live must mourn
Here with bitter weeping.

5 O blest shall be
Whose heart shall be
Fixed here, who apprehendeth
Why the Lord of glory thus
To the grace descendeth.

6 O Jesus blest,
My Help and Rest,
With tears I now entreat Thee:
Make me love Thee to the last,
Till in heaven I greet Thee!

Text Information

• First Line: O darkest woe!
• Title: O Darkest Woe
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863)
• Author: Johann Rist (1641)
• Author (st. 1): Anon.
• Meter: 4 4 7 7 6
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1930
• Topic: The Church Year: Passion

Tune Information

• Name: ARIMATHAEA
• Composer: Johann Schop (1628)
• Meter: 4 4 7 7 6
• Key: g minor
• Source: German chorale: O Traurigkeit, O Herzeleid