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THE WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS.
PART I.
On the Cross uplifted high
Jesus hangs 'twixt earth and sky,
Left by Heaven, by earth cast out
With a cold, derisive shout—
Bearing meekly all that storm,
Visage marr'd and bruisèd form,
Arms outstretcht and thorn-crowned brow,
Owned as King of Sorrows now.
Jesus hangs 'twixt earth and sky,
Left by Heaven, by earth cast out
With a cold, derisive shout—
Bearing meekly all that storm,
Visage marr'd and bruisèd form,
Arms outstretcht and thorn-crowned brow,
Owned as King of Sorrows now.
Then the Saviour's voice was heard,
“Oh, forgive them!” His first word,
As He poured from piercèd hands
Payment of the Law's demands.
Lord, forgive us; on our head
Be the blood that then was shed,
On our souls be sprinkled free
Balsam from that healing Tree!
“Oh, forgive them!” His first word,
As He poured from piercèd hands
Payment of the Law's demands.
Lord, forgive us; on our head
Be the blood that then was shed,
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Balsam from that healing Tree!
To the sufferer at His side
Asking mercy, He replied,
“Verily, to-day with Me
Thou in Paradise shalt be.”
Lord, in patience let us bear
Pain with Thee, and daily care,
Till upon our dying eyes
Gleam the palms of Paradise.
Asking mercy, He replied,
“Verily, to-day with Me
Thou in Paradise shalt be.”
Lord, in patience let us bear
Pain with Thee, and daily care,
Till upon our dying eyes
Gleam the palms of Paradise.
Hear Him now bespeak Love's care
For His mother standing there;
Though a world's sin broke his heart
He would do a true Son's part.
Like the Holy Child may we
Honour, in subjection see,
And with ready succour cheer
Grey hairs of our parents dear.
For His mother standing there;
Though a world's sin broke his heart
He would do a true Son's part.
Like the Holy Child may we
Honour, in subjection see,
And with ready succour cheer
Grey hairs of our parents dear.
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Lord, beneath Thy Cross we bow,
Send Thy blessing on us now;
May we learn from Thee to show
Filial piety below;
Grant to our dim earthly eyes
Some sweet glimpse of Paradise;
Let us hear Thy gracious voice
“Pardoned sinner, rise, rejoice!”
Send Thy blessing on us now;
May we learn from Thee to show
Filial piety below;
Grant to our dim earthly eyes
Some sweet glimpse of Paradise;
Let us hear Thy gracious voice
“Pardoned sinner, rise, rejoice!”
PART II.
To the darkened noonday sky
Rises a mysterious cry—
“O my God”—His piteous plea,
“Why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
Lord, Thy goodness we adore
Which for us such darkness bore,
That the light of Heaven's own day
Might illumine all our way.
Rises a mysterious cry—
“O my God”—His piteous plea,
“Why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
Lord, Thy goodness we adore
Which for us such darkness bore,
That the light of Heaven's own day
Might illumine all our way.
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Hark! a sad “I thirst” is wrung
From His patient, parchèd tongue,
While the bitter-laden reed
Mocks once more His mortal need.
Lord, Thou hast not borne in vain
Thirst, and hunger, shame, and pain;
In Thy woe our weal is found—
We have all things and abound.
From His patient, parchèd tongue,
While the bitter-laden reed
Mocks once more His mortal need.
Lord, Thou hast not borne in vain
Thirst, and hunger, shame, and pain;
In Thy woe our weal is found—
We have all things and abound.
Listen, Heaven and earth are stirred:
“It is finished,” mighty word,
Rends the awful veil in twain,
God and man may meet again.
Lord, with boldness we draw near,
In our hands a title clear,
On our souls a garment meet,
Christ's own righteousness complete.
“It is finished,” mighty word,
Rends the awful veil in twain,
God and man may meet again.
Lord, with boldness we draw near,
In our hands a title clear,
On our souls a garment meet,
Christ's own righteousness complete.
Then His sacred Head He bowed
And with utterance calm and loud,
“Father, unto Thee,” He cried,
“I commend my soul”—and died.
Lord, we know in Whom we trust,
Thou hast formed us from the dust,
Bought us with a price Divine;
Living, dying, keep us Thine.
And with utterance calm and loud,
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“I commend my soul”—and died.
Lord, we know in Whom we trust,
Thou hast formed us from the dust,
Bought us with a price Divine;
Living, dying, keep us Thine.
Lord, beneath Thy Cross we bend,
Now Thy blessing on us send;
Bid our darkness roll away,
Our immortal thirst allay,
Clothe us with Thy raiment white,
Lead us to the land of light—
From the Cross, O Lord, look down,
Raise us—fit us—for the crown!
Now Thy blessing on us send;
Bid our darkness roll away,
Our immortal thirst allay,
Clothe us with Thy raiment white,
Lead us to the land of light—
From the Cross, O Lord, look down,
Raise us—fit us—for the crown!
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