119. O Head! Once Full of Bruises
7,6.
by Bernard of Clairvaux
O Head! once full of bruises,
So full of pain and scorn,
Mocked with a crown of thorn;
O Head! e’en now surrounded
In death once bowed and wounded
Thou Countenance transcendent!
To worlds on Thee dependent —
Yet bruised and spit upon:
O Lord! what Thee tormented
Was our sin’s heavy load,
We had the debt augmented
Which Thou didst pay in blood.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
“For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on.” (Luke 18:32)
“Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands.” (Matthew 26:67)
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
We give Thee thanks unfeignèd,
O Savior! Friend in need,
For what Thy soul sustainèd
When Thou for us didst bleed;
Grant us to lean unshaken
We see Thee face to face.
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