175 C. M. They nailed him to the cross.
Behold the Saviour of mankind Nailed to the shameful tree! How vast the love that him inclined To bleed and die for me!
2 Hark! how he groans, while nature shakes, And earth’s strong pillars bend! The temple’s vail asunder breaks, The solid marbles rend.
3 ’Tis finished! now the ransom’s paid, “Receive my soul!” he cries: See—how he bows his sacred head! He bows his head and dies!
4 But soon from death he’ll rise again, And in full glory shine; O Lamb of God! was ever pain— Was ever love like thine?
176 C. M. The dying penitent.
As on the cross the Saviour hung, And groaned, and bled, and died, He looked with pity on a wretch That languished by his side.
2 The dying thief in Jesus saw A majesty divine; While scoffing Jews around him stood, And asked him for a sign!
3 The kingdom, Lord, is thine, he said; ’Tis thine o’er men to reign: Thy wondrous works thy lordship prove, These pains thy love proclaim:
4 Honors divine await thee soon, A scepter and a crown: With shame thy foes shall yet behold Thee seated on a throne.
5 Then, gracious Lord, remember me! Is not forgiveness thine? My crimes have brought me to thy side— Thy love brought thee to mine!
6 His prayer the dying Jesus hears, And instantly replies, To-day your parting soul shall be With me in paradise.
177 7s & 6s. Surely he hath borne our griefs.
O sacred head, now wounded, With grief and shame weighed down— O sacred brow, surrounded With thorns, thine only crown: Once on a throne of glory, Adorned with light divine; Now all despised and gory, I joy to call thee mine.
2 On me, as thou art dying, O, turn thy pitying eye; To thee for mercy crying, Before thy cross I lie. Thine, thine the bitter passion; Thy pain is all for me; Mine, mine the deep transgression; My sins are all on thee.
3 What language can I borrow To praise thee, heavenly Friend, For all this dying sorrow, Of all my woes the end? O, can I leave thee ever? Then do not thou leave me; Lord, let me never, never Outlive my love to thee.
4 Be near when I am dying; Then close beside me stand; Let me, while faint and sighing, Lean calmly on thy hand: These eyes, new faith receiving, From thee shall never move, For he who dies believing, Dies safely—in thy love.
178 8s, 7s & 4. It is finished. John 19:30.
Hark! the voice of love and mercy Sounds aloud from Calvary; See! it rends the rocks asunder, Shakes the earth and vails the sky! It is finished! Hear the dying Saviour cry.
2 It is finished! O what pleasure Do these precious words afford! Heavenly blessings without measure Flow to us from Christ the Lord; It is finished! Saints, the dying words record.
3 Finished all the types and shadows Of the ceremonial law! Finished all that God had promised; Death and hell no more shall awe: It is finished! Saints, from this your comfort draw.
4 Tune your harps anew, you seraphs, Join to sing the pleasing theme; All on earth and all in heaven, Join to praise Immanuel’s name: Hallelujah! Glory to the bleeding Lamb!
179 8s & 6s. Behold the Lamb of God. John 1:20.
The Son of Man they did betray; He was condemned, and led away, Think, O my soul, on that dread day, Look on Mount Calvary; Behold him, lamb-like, led along Surrounded by a wicked throng, Accused by every lying tongue, And then the Lamb of God they hung Upon the shameful tree.
2 Now, hung between the earth and skies, Behold! in agony he dies; O sinners, hear his mournful cries, Come, see his torturing pain! The morning sun withdrew his light, Blushed, and refused to view the sight, The azure clothed in robes of night, All nature mourned, and stood affright, When Christ the Lord was slain.
3 All glory be to God on high, Who reigns enthroned above the sky; Who sent his Son to bleed and die; Glory to him be given: While heaven above his praise resounds, O Zion, sing—his grace abounds; I hope to shout eternal rounds, In flaming love that knows no bounds, When glorified in heaven.