Holy Week: Good Friday

O dearest Jesus what law hast thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession
What dark transgression?

They crown Thy head with thorns
They smite, they scourge Thee
With cruel mockings to Thy cross they urge Thee
They give Thee gall to drink
They still decry Thee
They crucify Thee

Whence come these sorrows
Whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish
Yea, all the wrath, the woe Thou dost inherit
This I do merit

What punishment so strange is suffered yonder?
The shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander
The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him
Who would not know Him

The sinless Son of God must die in sadness
The sinful child of man may live in gladness
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted
God is committed

("O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken," v.1-5)