CLXXXIX. O Church, adore and wonder

1 O Church, adore and wonder,
Thy head and Saviour yonder
Hangs on the cross's tree!
Behold him, whilst expiring,
And for mankind acquiring
Thereby grace, life and liberty.

2 Draw near, thou wilt discover,
How blood and sweat all over
His sacred body dies;
Out of his heart most noble,
For inexhausted trouble,
Sighs are successive foll'wing sighs.

3 Who hath thee thus abused,
Dear Lord, and so much bruised
Thy most majestic face?
Thou art no sin's transactor,
Thou art no malefactor,
Like others of the human race.

4 I, I, and my transgressions,
Which by my own confessions
Exceed the sea-shore sands,
These, these have been the reason
Of thy whole bitter season,
Of all thy bruises, stripes and bands.

5 I ought to have been pained,
And fast for ever chained
Both hand and foot in hell;
The bonds and scourges tearing,
Which thou, my God, wast bearing,
My soul, my soul deserv'd to feel.

6 I'll be 'mongst the beholders,
And see thee on thy shoulders
Bear my prodigious load;
Thou tak'st my curse infliction,
Giv'st for it benediction,
Thy death procures my peace with God.

7 As surety thou presentest
Thyself; to die consentest
For me in debt all o'er;
A crown of thorns thou wearest,
All pain and scorn thou bearest
With patience never known before.

8 Into death's jaws thou leaping
Provid'st for my escaping,
That I its sting mayn't prove;
My curse and condemnation
Thou bear'st for my salvation;
O most unheard of fire of love!

9 The highet obligations
Bind me thro' all life's stations,
T'express my thanks to thee;
Weak as I am and feeble,
As far as I am able,
I'll yield thee service willingly.

10 While here on earth I'm living
I have nought worth the giving
To thee for all thy pain;
Yet shall thy passion ever,
Till soul and body sever,
Deep in my heart engrav'd remain.

11 Thy sighs and groans unnumber'd,
And from thy heart encumber'd,
The countless tears forth prest:
These shall at my dismission
To final rest's fruition
Convey me to thy arms and breast.

Text Information
First Line: O Church, adore and wonder
Meter: Y. M.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1816
Topic: For the Holy Communion
Tune Information
(No tune information)



Suggestions or corrections? Contact us