A Hymn For Good Friday

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,

that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by thine own rejected, O most afflicted!

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Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?

Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee!

'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee; I crucified thee.

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Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;

the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered.

For our atonement, while we nothing heeded, God interceded.

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For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,

thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation;

thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion, for my salvation.

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Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,

I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,

think on thy pity and thy love unswerving, not my deserving.

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Author: Johann Heermann (1630); Translator: Robert Bridges (1897) Tune: HERZLIEBSTER JESU