A Tribute to the Dying Saviour

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,

That man to judge Thee hast in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,

O most afflicted!

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.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;

The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;

For man’s atonement, while he nothing heedeth,

God intercedeth.

For me, kind Jesus, was Thine incarnation,

Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation;

Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,

For my salvation.

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.

Johann Heermann, 1630.