When on the cross the Saviour hung,

And that sore load that on Him weigh'd

With bitter pangs his nature wrung,

Seven words amid His pain He said:

Oh let them well to heart be laid!

"Father, forgive these men;" He spake;

"For lo! they know not what they do,

Nor of my sufferings vengeance take!"

And when we sin in error too,

For us, dear Lord, this prayer renew!

He thought upon the thief, and said,--

"Thou shalt behold my Paradise

With me, ere yet this day be fled."

Lord, see us too with pitying eyes,

And raise us from our miseries!

His mother stood beside Him there;

"Behold thy son! Oh let her find

A son, O John, in thy true care,"

Lord, care for those we leave behind,

Nor let the world prove all unkind!

Once more He saith,--"I thirst, I thirst!"

O Prince of Life! that we might be

Rescued from death, Thou dar'st the worst.

So dost Thou long to set us free!

Not fruitless be that thirst in Thee!

Again, "My God, My God," He cried,

Ah why dost Thou forsake me thus?"

Thou art forsaken at this tide,

To win acceptance, Lord, for us;

Oh comfort deep and marvellous!

He saith,--"Lo! it is finish'd now!"

Saviour, Thy perfect work is done!

O make us faithful, Lord, as Thou,

No trial and no cross to shun

Till all Thou lay'st on us be done.

And last,--"My Father, to Thine hands

My parting soul I now commend."

Lord, when my spirit trembling stands

Upon life's verge, this cry I send

To Thee, and with Thy words I end.

Whoso shall ponder oft these words

When long-past sins his soul alarm,

Shall find the hope Thy cross accords,

And in Thy grace a healing balm

That brings the wounded conscience calm.

Lord Jesu Christ, who diedst for us,

This one thing grant us evermore;

To ponder o'er Thy passion thus,

Till truer, deeper than before

We learn to love Thee and adore!