Ancient and Modern Hymns for Holy Week

Lent and Advent are two of my favorite times of the year because we have such a rich heritage of Christian hymns regarding Jesus’ birth and the atoning sacrifice of his blood. I’ve written posts about Lenten hymns before, but this year I wanted to draw your attention to a few texts that may be unfamiliar to you. Lenten hymns that have stood the test of time have a rare beauty about them. Their texts and tunes are matched so well that publishers have married them for posterity. 

I encourage you to use these hymns in your devotions this week. Two of them are on the So We Speak Holy Week playlist. These hymns will strengthen your prayers and thoughts as you meditate on their rich texts.

Ancient Hymn: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

This hymn was originally translated from a Medieval Latin poem by Arnulf of Leuven. Paul Gerhardt translated it into German during the Reformation, and Johann Sebastian Bach later set it in his St. Matthew’s Passion. Later in the nineteenth century, James Alexander translated it into English, and it has since found its footing in many Protestant Lenten services. Evangelicals may not be as aware of this hymn, but its poetic strength and beauty will be a helpful addition to any Lenten meditation.

O sacred Head, now wounded,

with grief and shame weighed down,

now scornfully surrounded

with thorns, Thine only crown.

O sacred Head, what glory,

what bliss till now was Thine!

Yet, though despised and gory,

I joy to call Thee mine.

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.

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 for Thee.

Be near when I am dying,

O show Thy cross to me!

And, for my succor flying,

come, Lord, to set me free:

these eyes, new faith receiving,

from Thee shall never move;

for he who dies believing

dies safely in Thy love.

Recent History: Go to Dark Gethsemane

I was not familiar with this text before my hymn studies at seminary. However, it has now become a staple in my Lenten prayers and studies. Scottish theologian, James Montgomery, wrote this poem in 1820, in which he contemplates Jesus’ walk up Calvary’s Hill: “watch with him one bitter hour, turn not from his griefs away” and “learn of Jesus Christ to die.” Montgomery poetically handles the crucifixion with the grief and astonishment needed to fully meditate on its depths. I’m sure you will, like me, pause and reflect on many beautiful lines throughout this hymn.

Go to dark Gethsemane,

You who feel the tempter's pow'r;

Your Redeemer's conflict see;

Watch with Him one bitter hour;

Turn not from His griefs away;

Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

Follow to the judgment hall;

View the Lord of life arraigned;

O the worm-wood and the gall!

O the pangs His soul sustained!

Shun not suff'ring, shame, or loss;

Learn of Him to bear the cross.

Calv'ry's mournful mountain climb

There' adoring at His feet,

Mark the miracle of time,

God's own sacrifice complete:

"It is finished!" Hear the cry;

Learn of Jesus Christ to die.

Early hasten to the tomb

Where they laid his breathless clay;

All is solitude and gloom;

Who hath taken Him away?

Christ is ris'n! He meets our eyes:

Savior, teach us so to rise.

Modern Hymn: Christus Victor

Modern hymn writers Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Bryan Fowler wrote a new hymn focusing on the victory of Christ on the cross. Naming the hymn in Latin, Christus Victor, signals the historic theological truth that has stood, and will stand, across all time. The text references the sovereign control of God through all the ages and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus to all believers. It truly is a hymn that will find its place in the annals of hymn history.

O Most High, King of the ages

Great I AM, God of wonders

By the blood You have redeemed us

Led us through mighty waters

Our strength, our song, our sure salvation

Now to the Lamb upon the throne

Be blessing, honor, glory, power

For the battle You have won

Hallelujah, Amen

O Most High, dwelling among us

Son of Man sent for sinners

By Your blood You have redeemed us

Spotless Lamb, mighty Savior

Who lived, who died, who rose victorious

Now to the Lamb upon the throne

Be blessing, honor, glory, power

For the battle You have won

Hallelujah

With every tribe and every tongue

We join the anthem of the angels

In the triumph of the Son

Hallelujah,Amen

O Most High, King of the nations

Robed in praise, crowned with splendor

On that day who will not tremble?

When You stand, Christ the Victor

Who was, and is, and is forever

Now to the Lamb upon the throne

Be blessing, honor, glory, power

For the battle You have won

Hallelujah

With every tribe and every tongue

We join the anthem of the angels

In the triumph of the Son

Hallelujah, Amen

I hope these hymns foster your love for Christ throughout this Holy Week. There are many beautiful, rich Lenten hymns, and I have only highlighted three. Keep exploring the vastness of hymn history…you will be enriched on your journey. Blessings on your Holy Week. Kim lives in Oklahoma with her husband Jason and they have one adult son. She is Visiting Professor of Music and Worship at Oklahoma Baptist University and enjoys teaching classes on various aspects of worship studies. Kim completed her Ph.D. in Church Music and Worship from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and also holds degrees in Music History and Piano Performance from other universities. She enjoys spending time with her family in God’s creation, quilting, reading, and drinking good tea.