Man of Sorrows . . .

Man of sorrows, wrapt in grief,

Bow your ear to our relief;

You for us the path have trod

Of the dreadful wrath of God;

You the cup of fire have drained

Till its light alone remained.

Lamb of love our comfort be:

Hear our mournful litany.

By the garden filled with woe,

Where to rest you oft would go;

By your agony of prayer

In the desolation there;

By the dire and deep distress

More than human mind can guess,

Lord, our grief in mercy see:

Hear our fervent litany.

By that bitter cup of pain,

When your strength began to wane;

By those lips which once did pray

That it might but pass away;

By the heart that drank it dry

Lest the human race should die,

In your pity grant our plea,

Hear our solemn litany.

Man of sorrows, let your grief

Purchase for us our relief;

Lord of mercy, bow your ear,

Slow to anger, swift to hear:

By the cross's royal road,

Lead us to the throne of God,

There to sing triumphantly

Heaven's glorious litany.

(Matthew Bridges)

I love this hymn that we've just begun praying at Morning Prayer this week. Like many hymns, it can be used as a very good meditation. I just thought I'd share it with you.