Trinity Hymnal ‎#181

181. O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken

1 O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast thou to make confession,
What dark transgression?

2 They crown thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge thee;
They give thee gall to drink, they still decry thee;
They crucify thee.

3 Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe, thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.

4 What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The Master pays the debt his servants owe him,
Who would not know him.

5 The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted,-
God is committed.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1863, alt.)
• Author: Johann Heermann (1630)
• Meter: 11. 11. 11. 5.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1961
• Scripture:
  Isaiah 53:9-10
• Topic: Christ, The Lord Jesus; Christ: Shepherd; Christ: Suffering of; Imputation, of Sin

Tune Information

• Name: HERZLIEBSTER JESU
• Composer: Johann Crüger (1640)
• Meter: 11. 11. 11. 5.
• Key: g minor