Cor Arca Legem Continens | Hymn to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Music for Cor Arca Legem ContinensFrom the Encyclopedia:An office hymn that was historically used for Lauds on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Usually dated as an 18th-century composition, it is the work of an unknown author who is thought to have written also the hymns for Vespers and Matins of the same feast. In a series of types or figures, rather than in a fully developed allegory, stanzas one and two of the hymn represent the Sacred Heart as ark, temple, and—with reference to its open wounds—veil "more profitable than the one rent asunder." For the thought and expression of the last three stanzas, the author is indebted to St. Bonaventure's Vitis mystica 3.4–6, read as the eighth and ninth lessons of the feast. Throughout the hymn a deeply personal note is blended with a more objective liturgical style.1. O Heart, Thou ark containing the Law, not of the old servitude, but of grace, and indulgence, and also of mercy.2. O Heart, Thou spotless sanctuary of the new covenant,Thou Temple, holier than the ancient one, And Veil, more profitable than that torn of old.3. Charity willed Thee to be wounded; by the spear thrust opened, that we might venerate the wounds of an invisible love.4. Under this symbol of love, having suffered bloody and mystical torments,Christ the Priest offered each in sacrifice.5. Who would not love in turn the One so loving him? Who, being thus redeemed, would not love, and choose eternal dwellings in this Heart?6. O Jesus, to Thee be glory, Who pourest grace from Thy heart, with the Father and the loving Spirit unto everlasting ages. Amen.Cor, arca legem cóntinens Non servitútis véteris Sed grátiæ, sed veniæ Sed et misericórdiæCor, sanctuárium novi Intemerátum fœ́deris Templum vetústo sánctius Velúmque scisso utíliusTe vulnerátum cáritas Ictu paténti vóluit Amóris invisíbilis Ut venerémur vúlneraHoc sub amóris sýmbolo Passus cruénta et mýstica Utrúmque sacrifícium Christus Sacérdos óbtulitQuis non amántem rédamet Quis non redémptus díligat Et Corde in isto séligat Ætérna tabernáculaJesu, tibi sit glória Qui Corde fundis grátiam Cum Patre et almo Spíritu In sempitérna sǽcula Amen