Lutheran Hymnal: 058 - O World, See Thy Life Languish

Part I 1 O world, see thy Life languish Upon the tree in anguish; Thy Lord and Saviour dies. The prince of power with meekness Submits in mortal weakness To blows, and jeers, and railing cries. 2 My Saviour, who hath wrought Thee Such pain, and who hath brought Thee Such sad and dire disgrace? By sin Thou art not tainted, Nor is Thy soul acquainted With evil like our fallen race. 3 I caused Thy grief and trembling With sins in sum resembling The sand-grains by the sea; They sore Thy soul have cumbered, And raised those woes unnumbered Which press in dark array on Thee. 4 The pangs that rend Thy spirit, I, for my deep demerit, Should suffer in Thy stead; The fetters and the scourging, The tide of sorrow surging Round Thee, should break upon my head. 5 Thyself, Lord, Thou dost offer, And in my stead dost suffer The bitter cross for me; The crown of thorns Thou wearest, The shame and scorn Thou bearest For guilt of mine thus patiently. 6 Each hour of life is showing How all my good is owing To this great love of Thine. Each hour I would endeavour My soul and body ever To Thy blest service to resign. Part II 7 Lord, little can I offer For all that Thou didst suffer; This one thing will I do: Till death my soul releases, Thy dying, Thy distresses, My heart will cherish deep and true. 8 Thy cross will stand before me, Its sacred power be o’er me, Wherever I may be: A mirror whose reflection Shows me all pure perfection- A seal of love and constancy. 9 My flesh now crucifying, Its evil lust denying, I unto sin will die. Lord, I will never leave Thee, But shun whate’er may grieve Thee, Strong in the strength Thou dost supply. 10 Thy sighing and Thy groaning, The tears and blood atoning, Which Thou hast freely poured, Through life will comfort lend me, And after death attend me Into Thy endless rest, O Lord.