224. O Man of Sorrows, Thou

1. O Man of sorrows, Thou
Whom God did sorely chasten
For all Thy suff'ring, now
To bring our thanks we hasten,
For Thy soul's anguish there
Beneath the Father's wrath,
For scourging Thou didst bear,
And for Thy bitter death.

2. Thy strife our victory,
Thy death our life in heaven;
And in Thy bonds we see
The freedom Thou hast given;
Thy cross our comfort true,
Thy wounds a balm that healed,
Thy blood a ransom due,
To sinners poor, revealed.

3. O help us on life's road
Who here the cross have taken,
Lest underneath its load
We falter here and weaken:
Help us in patience bear,
Through Thine own crown of thorn,
When we on earth must share
Affliction, shame, and scorn.

4. Thine anguish be our strength
When we in fears are lying,
And by Thy death at length,
May we o'ercome when dying;
Lord, by Thy bonds do Thou
Bind us as pleaseth Thee;
Our flesh by Thy cross now
Help us to crucify!