Page 31 - Stainer Crucifixion
P. 31
5. Hymn — The Mystery of the Divine Humiliation To be sung by the Choir and Congregation
23
Veryslow (=c.68)
5
1. Cross of Je - sus, Cross of Sor - row, Where the Blood of Christ was shed,
Per - fect man on thee was tor-tured, Per - fect God on thee has bled!
2. Here the King of all the ages, Throned in light ere worlds could be
Robed in mortal flesh is dying, Crucified by sin for me.
3. O mysterious condescending! O abandonment sublime!
Very God Himself is bearing All the sufferings of time!
4. Evermore for human failure By His Passion we can plead;
God has borne all mortal anguish, Surely He will know our need.
6. Once the Lord of brilliant seraphs, Winged with Love to do His Will, Now the scorn of all His creatures,
And the aim of every ill.
7. Up in Heaven, sublimest glory Circled round Him from the first;
But the earth finds none to serve Him, None to quench His raging thirst.
8. Who shall fathom that descending, From the rainbow-circled throne,
Down to earth’s most base profaning, Dying desolate alone.
9. From the “Holy, Holy, Holy,
We adore Thee, O most High,”
Down to earth’s blaspheming voices And the shout of “Crucify.”
5. This — all human thought surpassing — This is earth’s most awful hour,
God has taken mortal weakness! God has laid aside His Power!
10. Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow, Where the Blood of Christ was shed,
Perfect man on thee was tortured, Perfect God on thee has bled!
