I Caused Thy Grief

Here is a great Paul Gerhardt hymn that PRPC choir will sing on Sunday. Though we are only singing 3 of the 12 original stanzas (those in pink), our director sent them all to us for our meditation. I pass them onto you for your edification as well. If you aren't familiar with Paul Gerhardt, check him out. His contributions to Christian hymnody are significant. Maybe I'll post about him sometime soon.......

Upon the cross extended,

See, world, thy Lord suspended.

Thy Savior yields His breath.

The Prince of Life from Heaven

Himself hath freely given

To shame and blows and bitter death.

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Come hither now and ponder,

'Twill fill thy soul with wonder,

Blood streams from every pore.

Through grief whose depth none knoweth,

From His great heart there floweth

Sigh after sigh of anguish o'er.

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Who is it that hath bruised Thee?

Who hath so sore abused Thee

And caused Thee all Thy woe?

While we must make confession

Of sin and dire transgression,

Thou deeds of evil dost not know.

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I caused Thy grief and sighing

By evils multiplying

As countless as the sands.

I caused the woes unnumbered

With which Thy soul is cumbered,

Thy sorrows raised by wicked hands.

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'Tis I who should be smitten,

My doom should here be written;

Bound hand and foot in hell.

The fetters and the scourging,

The floods around Thee surging,

'Tis I who have deserved them well.

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The load Thou takest on Thee,

That pressed so sorely on me,

It crushed me to the ground.

The cross for me enduring,

The crown for me securing,

My healing in Thy wounds is found.

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A crown of thorns Thou wearest,

My shame and scorn Thou bearest,

That I might ransomed be.

My Bondsman, ever willing,

My place with patience filling,

From sin and guilt hast made me free.

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Thy cords of love, my Savior,

Bind me to Thee forever,

I am no longer mine.

To Thee I gladly tender

All that my life can render

And all I have to Thee resign.

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Thy cross I'll place before me,

Its saving power be o’er me,

Wherever I may be;

Thine innocence revealing,

Thy love and mercy sealing,

The pledge of truth and constancy.

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How God at our transgression

To anger gives expression,

How loud His thunders roll,

How fearfully He smiteth,

How sorely He requiteth—

All this Thy sufferings teach my soul.

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When evil men revile me,

With wicked tongues defile me,

I'll curb my vengeful heart.

The unjust wrong I'll suffer,

Unto my neighbor offer

Forgiveness of each bitter smart.

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Thy groaning and Thy sighing,

Thy bitter tears and dying,

With which Thou was opprest—

They shall, when life is ending,

Be guiding and attending

My way to Thine eternal rest.

AMEN.