O sacred Head now wounded is a timeless Christian hymn that reflects on Jesus Christ’s suffering, His sacrificial death, and the believer’s response of devotion. Centered on themes of Christ’s atonement, repentance, and eternal grace, the hymn invites deep reflection on His love and the cost of redemption.
VERSE 1
O sacred Head now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, Thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish,
Which once was bright as morn!
VERSE 2
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered,
Was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression,
But Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
‘Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor,
Vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
VERSE 3
What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, Dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever,
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never,
Never outlive my love to Thee.
VERSE 4
My Shepherd, now receive me;
My Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts divine.
Thy lips have often fed me
With words of truth and love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
To heavenly joys above.
VERSE 5
My Savior, be Thou near me
When death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me,
Forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
Oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish
By virtue of Thine own.
Story Behind the Song
O sacred Head, now wounded has a rich history rooted in medieval Christian devotion. The hymn originates from a Latin poem, “Salve mundi salutare,” traditionally attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century French abbot renowned for his deep spirituality. [1] This extensive poem comprises seven sections, each meditating on a different part of Christ’s crucified body, with the final section, “Salve caput cruentatum,” focusing on Jesus’ head. [2]
In the 17th century, German Lutheran theologian Paul Gerhardt translated this particular section into German, titling it “O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden.” Gerhardt’s rendition offered a personal reflection on Christ’s suffering, emphasizing themes of repentance and devotion. [3] The hymn gained prominence in German-speaking regions, becoming integral to Lutheran worship practices.
The hymn’s melody, known as the “Passion Chorale,” was composed by Hans Leo Hassler, a German musician. Johann Sebastian Bach later harmonized this melody, incorporating it into his St. Matthew Passion, thereby enhancing its recognition and emotional depth. [4]
The English version familiar to many today emerged in the 19th century. American Presbyterian minister James Waddel Alexander translated Gerhardt’s German text into English, producing “O sacred Head, now wounded.” Alexander’s translation preserved the hymn’s poignant reflection on Christ’s sacrifice, facilitating its adoption across various English-speaking Christian denominations. [5]
Throughout its evolution, “O sacred Head, now wounded” has served as a profound meditation on the suffering and love of Christ, resonating with believers and enriching Christian worship for centuries.
Atonement and Grace
O sacred Head now wounded is a meditation on Christ’s suffering, His atoning sacrifice, and the believer’s response of faith and devotion. With thorns, Thine only crown reflects the humiliation of Christ as He bore the curse of sin (Genesis 3:18), fulfilling Isaiah 53:3, which describes Him as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” His suffering was not for His own guilt but for the redemption of sinners.
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain affirms personal responsibility for sin and Christ’s substitutionary atonement. Isaiah 53:5 declares, “He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities.” Christ willingly took the punishment sinners deserved, demonstrating God’s justice and mercy (2 Corinthians 5:21). His death was not merely an example of suffering but the means of salvation.
O make me Thine forever expresses the believer’s desire for eternal security in Christ. John 10:28 assures, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” Salvation is not earned but granted by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), leading to a life of devotion and worship. Faith in Christ sustains the believer, even in trials.
What language shall I borrow acknowledges the challenge of fully expressing gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice. Though human words fall short, God calls His people to continual thanksgiving in word and deed (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Colossians 3:17). True worship flows from a heart transformed by grace.
The song reflects biblical truth, drawing the believer to recognize the weight of sin, the depth of Christ’s suffering, and the assurance of salvation. To meditate on these truths is to grasp the magnitude of God’s love and respond with faith and surrender.
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O Sacred Head, Now Wounded lyrics and music by German Lutheran and theologian Paul Gerhardt (17th century) Public Domain
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