Hymns from the East Part 4

Crown the Lord of glory,-- Once He dwelt below, Bore the cross of sorrow, Drank the cup of woe; Now He reigns triumphant, Let your praises flow.

III

Crown the Lord of glory,-- On the earth He wore Purple robe that mocked Him, Thorns His brow that tore; Now His griefs are ended, Praise Him evermore.

IV

Crown the Lord of glory, For His work is done; Crown the King of glory, G.o.d's eternal Son; In my life enthroned, Be Thy reign begun!

I

O Christ, when on the shameful tree, Thou bor'st such cruel pain for me, Thine every member felt the smart, And sent its sorrows to Thy heart.

II

A crown of thorns Thy temples tore, Thy face, O Christ, vile spittings bore, And cruel hands, O action base!

Smote Thee, defiant, in the face.

III

When in Thy thirst, men heard Thee call, Thy lips were drenched with bitter gall; And to Thine ears the words were borne Of blasphemy and ribald scorn.

IV

Thy hands and feet with nails were riven, The spear into Thy side was driven;-- O Christ, when dying on the tree, How great the pain Thou bor'st for me!

V

Now, by Thy Cross, Almighty King, Salvation to the sinner bring, And let Thy sacrifice for me Teach me to sacrifice for Thee.

I

O G.o.d of love, whose mercy came To this dark world of sin and shame, And on a Cross of suffering sore, That sin and shame in meekness bore.

II

Supreme the love the Christ displayed, When He, True G.o.d, True Man was made; When He was scorned, His patience then Shone forth divine, with sinful men.

III

Did e'er such mercy lead the great To stoop from high to low estate?

Did e'er such love incline the heart To take the erring sinner's part?

IV

'Twas G.o.d who loved, 'twas G.o.d who gave His Son our erring souls to save; 'Tis Christ that wins us by the love From earth below to heaven above.

V

Win me, O Lord, whose mercy came To this dark world of sin and shame, To that bright world whose beauties s.h.i.+ne Forever in Thy love divine.

VI

To Thee, O Father, glory be, And glory, Christ, G.o.d-Man, to Thee, And to the Spirit, Three in One, Now, and while countless ages run.

I

When Hades held the Lord of Life, The boast of sin was vaunting high; 'Twas much to wound a sinless soul, But more to see the G.o.d-Man die.

II

When Hades held the Lord of Life, The gates were barred to hold Him fast.

No prison bars so closely drawn Were e'er by soul of mortal pa.s.sed.

III

When Hades held the Lord of Life, Rejoicing, death beheld Him there;-- "Now close the ancient barriers draw, And drive the prisoner to despair."

IV

O, blank surprise when Hades shook!

O, ringing joy through all the gloom!

Asunder fell the gates of night, And rose the Conqueror from the tomb.

V

Immortal Saviour! death is dead, No more it holds the souls of men; For Thou hast crushed the power of sin, And brought us back to life again.

I

When Thou, O Christ, upon the tree, Wert bearing pain for sinful men, The sun, lamenting, hid his face, And clothed himself with darkness then;

II

And o'er the world, when noontide came, The light grew faint and faded soon; And men in wonder saw the dark Bring in the night at hour of noon.

III