You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

535. O sacred head, surrounded

1 O sacred head, surrounded
by crown of piercing thorn!
O bleeding head, so wounded,
so shamed and put to scorn!
Death's pallid hue comes o'er thee,
the glow of life decays;
yet angel-hosts adore thee,
and tremble as they gaze.

2 Thy comeliness and vigour
is withered up and gone,
and in thy wasted figure
I see death drawing on.
O agony and dying!
O love to sinners free!
Jesu, all grace supplying,
turn thou thy face on me.

3 In this thy bitter passion,
good Shepherd, think of me
with thy most sweet compassion,
unworthy though I be:
beneath thy cross abiding
for ever would I rest,
in thy dear love confiding,
and with thy presence blest.

Text Information
First Line: O sacred head, surrounded
Title: O sacred head, surrounded
Paraphraser: Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676
Translator: Henry Williams Baker, 1821-1877
Meter: 76 76 D
Language: English
Publication Date: 2000
Scripture: ; ; ; ; ;
Topic: Passiontide; Year A: Palm Sunday: Liturgy of the Passion; Year B: Palm Sunday: Liturgy of the Passion (2 more...)
Source: Based on "Salve caput cruentatum"
Tune Information
Name: PASSION CHORALE
Composer: Hans Leo Hassler, 1564-1612
Harmonizer: Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750
Meter: 76 76 D
Key: a minor



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.