The Cyber Hymnal ‎#67

67. Ah, Holy Jesus

1. Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.

2. Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
’Twas I, Lord, Jesus, I it was denied Thee!
I crucified Thee.

3. Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;
For man’s atonement, while he nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.

4. For me, kind Jesus, was Thy incarnation,
Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation;
Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,
For my salvation.

5. Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,
I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee,
Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,
Not my deserving.

Text Information

• First Line: Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended
• Title: Ah, Holy Jesus
• German Title: Herzliebster Jesu
• Author: Johann Heerman (1630)
• Translator (from German): Robert S. Bridges (1899)
• Meter: 11.11.11.5
• Language: English
• Source: Devoti Musica Cordis, 1630
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: HERZLIEBSTER JESU
• Composer: Johann Crüger (1640)
• Meter: 11.11.11.5
• Incipit: 11175 12334 22345
• Key: g minor
• Source: Newes vollkömliches Gesangbuch Augsburgischer Confession (Berlin: 1640).
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Bach used this music as the basis for part of his "St. Matthew Passion".