HYMN: Upon the Cross, Dear Lord

Between the death of my father and the onset of Lent, I haven’t done much “hobby” writing lately. I have a couple novel ideas rumbling around my head, including one my father had come up with when he was younger than I am now. But I hadn’t worked on a hymn text since early February at the Southern Illinois District convention of my church body.

A couple nights ago, I had trouble getting to sleep. While I was busy not sleeping, a couple lines popped into my head regarding the seven words of Christ on the cross. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to get the proverbial blood pumping. We had the tri-circuit winkel today and, as often seems to be the case, the gathering of pastors helped the writing process along. It’s not the most on-the-nose text for the words from the cross, and I realize the identity of the speaker and audience changes, sometimes even within the same stanza. I’d be interested to receive your input and feedback.

Upon the Cross, Dear Lord

1. Upon the cross, dear Lord,

You spoke Your mighty Word

To share Your grace and blessing. 

Your Church, with great acclaim,

Shall praise Your holy name,

Your perfect love confessing. 

Father, Forgive Them…

2. Ignorant people cry

For their own King to die. 

Sinless, the King is bleeding. 

Father, for Jesus’ sake,

We pray, no vengeance take. 

His blood for us is pleading.

Today You Will Be With Me…

3. Sinners deserve the grief

From which we seek relief. 

O Christ, in mercy hear us!

“You, child, shall be with me,”

He says upon the tree. 

His grace alone can cheer us. 

Woman, Behold Your Son…

4. Huddled beneath the cross,

Mourning the Savior’s loss,

The Church her Lord is grieving. 

Gathered, we two or three:

There Jesus deigns to be,

Our loneliness relieving. 

My God, My God…

5. Forsaken in our place,

Jesus, in boundless grace,

Dies to redeem creation.

Man, once by sin defiled,

To God is reconciled.

We sing in acclamation. 

I Thirst

6. In all things, faithfully

Heeding the prophecy,

The bitter wine you swallow. 

Our God in flesh, dear Christ,

The Lamb now sacrificed,

Your holy name we hallow. 

It Is Finished

7. In anguish hear Him cry. 

See, world, your Savior die,

No wrath the Father sparing. 

Salvation’s work is done;

Redemption’s ransom won

By Christ, the burden bearing. 

Father, Into Your Hands

8. Jesus, whom we adore,

Forsaken nevermore,

Is giving up His spirit. 

Take, Lord, Your Sabbath rest.

Your name, O Christ, be blessed. 

Your vic’try we inherit. 

667 667

NUNC DIMITTIS (LSB 888)

Good Friday; Seven Words of Christ on the Cross