|
When on the cross the Saviour hung,
And that sore load that on Him weigh'd
With bitter pangs his nature wrung,
Seven words amid His pain He said:
Oh let them well to heart be laid!
|
|
"Father, forgive these men;" He spake;
"For lo! they know not what they do,
Nor of my sufferings vengeance take!"
And when we sin in error too,
For us, dear Lord, this prayer renew!
|
|
He thought upon the thief, and said,--
"Thou shalt behold my Paradise
With me, ere yet this day be fled."
Lord, see us too with pitying eyes,
And raise us from our miseries!
|
|
His mother stood beside Him there;
"Behold thy son! Oh let her find
A son, O John, in thy true care,"
Lord, care for those we leave behind,
Nor let the world prove all unkind!
|
|
Once more He saith,--"I thirst, I thirst!"
O Prince of Life! that we might be
Rescued from death, Thou dar'st the worst.
So dost Thou long to set us free!
Not fruitless be that thirst in Thee!
|
|
Again, "My God, My God," He cried,
Ah why dost Thou forsake me thus?"
Thou art forsaken at this tide,
To win acceptance, Lord, for us;
Oh comfort deep and marvellous!
|
|
He saith,--"Lo! it is finish'd now!"
Saviour, Thy perfect work is done!
O make us faithful, Lord, as Thou,
No trial and no cross to shun
Till all Thou lay'st on us be done.
|
|
And last,--"My Father, to Thine hands
My parting soul I now commend."
Lord, when my spirit trembling stands
Upon life's verge, this cry I send
To Thee, and with Thy words I end.
|
|
Whoso shall ponder oft these words
When long-past sins his soul alarm,
Shall find the hope Thy cross accords,
And in Thy grace a healing balm
That brings the wounded conscience calm.
|
|
Lord Jesu Christ, who diedst for us,
This one thing grant us evermore;
To ponder o'er Thy passion thus,
Till truer, deeper than before
We learn to love Thee and adore!
|
|
