81. The Words On The Cross

Part I:

'Father, forgive them; for thy know not what they do'-Luke xxiii:34

1 Jesus, in thy dying woes,
Even while thy life-blood flows,
Craving pardon for thy foes:
Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen.

2 Saviour, for our pardon sue,
When our sins thy pangs renew,
For we know not what we do:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

3 O may we, who mercy need,
Be like thee in heart and deed,
When with wrong our spirits bleed:
Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen.

Part II

'Today shalt thou be with me in paradise'-Luke xxiii:43

1 Jesus, pitying the sighs
Of the thief, who near thee dies,
Promising him paradise:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

2 May we in our guilt and shame
Still thy love and mercy claim,
Calling humbly on thy Name:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

3 May our hearts to thee incline,
Looking from our cross to thine;
Cheer our souls with hope divine:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

Part III

'Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother!'-John xix:26,27

1 Jesus, loving to the end
Her whose heart thy sorrows rend,
And thy dearest human friend:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

2 May we in thy sorrows share,
For thy sake all peril dare,
And enjoy thy tender care:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

3 May we all thy loved ones be,
All one holy family,
Loving for the love of thee:
Hear us, holy Jesus. A-men.

Part IV

'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'-Matt.xxvii:46

1 Jesus, whelmed in fears unknown,
With our evil left alone,
While no light from heaven is shown:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

2 When we seem in vain to pray,
And our hope seems far away,
In the darkness be our stay:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

3 Though no Father seem to hear,
Though no light our spirits cheer,
May we know that God is near:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

Part V
'I thirst'-John xix:28

1 Jesus in thy thirst and pain,
While thy wounds thy life-blood drain,
Thirsting more our love to gain:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

2 Thirst for us in mercy still,
All thy holy work fulfill,
Satisfy thy loving will:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

3 May we thirst thy love to know;
Lead us in our sin and woe
Where the healing waters flow:
Hear us, holy Jesus. A-men.

Part VI
'It is finished'-John xix:30

1 Jesus, all our ransom paid,
All thy Father's will obeyed;
By thy sufferings perfect made:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

2 Save us in our soul's distress;
Be our help to cheer and bless,
While we grow in holiness:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

3 Brighten all our heavenward way
With an ever holier ray
Till we pass to perfect day:
Hear us, holy Jesus. A-men.

Part VII
'Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit'-Luke xxiii:46

1 Jesus, all thy labor vast,
All thy woe and conflict past;
Yielding up thy soul at last:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

2 When the death shades round us lower,
Guard us from the tempter's power,
Keep us in that trial hour:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

3 May thy life and death supply
Grace to live and grace to die,
Grace to reach the home on high:
Hear us, holy Jesus.

Amen.

Text Information
First Line: Jesus, in thy dying woes
Title: The Words On The Cross
Author: Thomas Benson Pollock, 1836 - 96
Meter: 7 7, 7 6.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1958
Topic: The Church Year: Holy Week; The Church Year: Good Friday
Tune Information
Name: SWEDISH LITANY
Meter: 7 7, 7 6.
Key: e minor
Source: Swedish Melody, 1697



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