1 Jesus, I will ponder now
On Thy holy passion;
With Thy Spirit me endow
For such meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith
May the image cherish
Of Thy suffering, pain and death,
That I might not perish.
2 Let me see Thy great distress,
Anguish and affliction,
Bonds and stripes, and wretchedness,
And Thy crucifixion;
Let me see how scourge and rod,
Spear and nails did wound Thee,
How for man Thou diedst, O God,
Who with thorns had crowned Thee.
3 Yet, O Lord, not thus alone
Let me see Thy passion,
But its cause to me make known,
And its termination.
Ah! I also and my sin
Wrought thy deep affliction;
This the real cause hath been
Of Thy crucifixion.
4 Grant that I Thy passion view
With repentant grieving,
Nor Thee crucify anew
By unholy living.
How could I refuse to shun
Every sinful pleasure,
Since for me God's only Son
Suffered without measure?
5 If my sins give me alarm
And my conscience grieve me,
Let Thy cross my fear disarm,
Peace of conscience give me.
Grant that I may trust in Thee
By Thy holy passion;
If His Son so loveth me,
God must have compassion.
6 Grant that I may willingly
Bear with Thee my crosses,
Learning humbleness of Thee,
Peace 'midst pain and losses;
Let me give Thee love for love.
Hear me, O my Saviour,
That I may in heaven above
Sing Thy praise forever.