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Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Seven Sayings on the Cross

In this post I have tried to piece together portions of hymns that refer to the seven last sayings of Jesus on the cross. Some are "as is" and some were altered to continue a common meter throughout.

Luke 23:34 Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do
Luke 23:43 Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise
John 19:26-27 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!
John 19:28 I thirst
Matthew 27:46 Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
John 19:30 It is finished
Luke 23:46 Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit


(Introduction)
Behold the Savior of mankind
Nailed to the shameful tree!
How vast the love that Him inclined,
To bleed and die for thee.


I.
"Father forgive," the Saviour cries,
"They know not what they do."
And thus in pleading as He dies,
Has He so spoke to you?


II.
As on the cross the Savior hung,
And wept, and bled, and died;
He poured salvation on a wretch
That languished at His side.

His prayer the dying Jesus hears,
And instantly replies,
"Today thy parting soul shall be
With me in paradise."


III.
Beneath the dying Saviour stood
Mary near another:
To her He said, "Behold thy son;"
John, "Behold thy mother."


IV.
I thirst, Thou wounded Lamb of God,
To be washed in Thy blood;
As I look on the cross and see
That Thou didst thirst for me.


V.
O, see the Savior on the cross!
And hearken to His voice;
"Eli, Eli," loud hear him cry
"Lama Sabachthani."


VI.
On the bloody tree behold Him
Dying; aloud He cries;
"It is finished! (It is finished!)"
Dismiss His life and dies.

VII.
'Tis done! the precious ransom’s paid!
Receive my soul, He cries:
"Father, to Thy hands I commend
My Spirit," as He dies.

(Conclusion)
Tis finished, The Redeemer said.
Now we the sentence scan.
Behold the conquest of the Lord,
Complete for sinful man.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I wonder if we can hear the voice of the Saviour as He speaks to us? If we can, do well allow it to fully penetrate our hearts and minds? I believe mankind too often today will be swallowed up with the cares of this life to listen to that still, small voice.

All of the earthly riches that man could bestow would never come close to represent the ultimate price paid at the cross. What is real love? The answer begins and ends at the cross.