1
O Christ, what burdens bow’d Thy head!
Our load was laid on Thee;
Thou stoodest in the sinner’s stead,
Didst bear all ill for me.
A victim led; Thy blood was shed;
Now there’s no load for me.
Our load was laid on Thee;
Thou stoodest in the sinner’s stead,
Didst bear all ill for me.
A victim led; Thy blood was shed;
Now there’s no load for me.
2
Death and the curse were in our cup,
O Christ, ’twas full for Thee!
But Thou hast drained the last dark drop—
’Tis empty now for me.
That bitter cup—love drank it up;
Now blessings’ draught for me.
O Christ, ’twas full for Thee!
But Thou hast drained the last dark drop—
’Tis empty now for me.
That bitter cup—love drank it up;
Now blessings’ draught for me.
3
Jehovah lifted up His rod,
O Christ, it fell on Thee!
Thou wast sore stricken of Thy God;
There’s not one stroke for me.
Thy tears, Thy blood, beneath it flowed;
Thy bruising healeth me.
O Christ, it fell on Thee!
Thou wast sore stricken of Thy God;
There’s not one stroke for me.
Thy tears, Thy blood, beneath it flowed;
Thy bruising healeth me.
4
The tempest’s awful voice was heard,
O Christ, it broke on Thee!
Thy open bosom was my ward,
It braved the storm for me.
Thy form was scarred, Thy visage marred;
Now cloudless peace for me.
O Christ, it broke on Thee!
Thy open bosom was my ward,
It braved the storm for me.
Thy form was scarred, Thy visage marred;
Now cloudless peace for me.
5
Jehovah bade His sword awake,
O Christ, it woke ’gainst Thee!
Thy blood the flaming blade must slake;
Thy heart its sheath must be—
All for my sake, my peace to make;
Now sleeps that sword for me.
O Christ, it woke ’gainst Thee!
Thy blood the flaming blade must slake;
Thy heart its sheath must be—
All for my sake, my peace to make;
Now sleeps that sword for me.
6
For me, Lord Jesus, Thou hast died,
And I have died in Thee;
Thou’rt ris’n: my bands are all untied,
And now Thou liv’st in me.
When purified, made white, and tried,
Thy glory then for me!
And I have died in Thee;
Thou’rt ris’n: my bands are all untied,
And now Thou liv’st in me.
When purified, made white, and tried,
Thy glory then for me!
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Mansfield, Ohio, United States
Cursed is every man that does not complete every letter of the law. This curse was on us as defiled sinners. Christ became cursed because He bore our sins. Christ drank this cup of suffering and wrath for us, every drop. Selah. Thank you Lord 🙏
Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
Wonderfully hymn. Thank you Jesus!
Neenah, Wisconsin, United States
I learned this hymn while in England doing some mission work. I learned many new hymns from the Redemption Hymnal that I love, but this is my favorite one that I learned. I learned it with a different tune than is the one written in the hymnal and like that tune better. Does anyone know how I can find the piano music for the different tune?
Grand Anse, St. George, Grenada
This is perhaps, my favourite hymn. It goes deep into my soul. It is simply amazing what our Redeemer went through for us on the cross. I could never fathom the depths of such love. He was smitten by the rod of Jehovah. He was pierced by his awful sword. All for my sake. THANK YOU, LORD JESUS!
Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Also one of my favorite hymns, filled with Grace, Amen!
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
This is my favourite hymn. Today's Gospel writers pale in comparison to the hymn lyricist.
Detroit, MI, United States
Mrs. Cousin, the wife of a Free Church of Scotland minister and the daughter of a doctor, possessed a literary gift. She wrote 107 hymns. - Songs of the Spirit by Martin
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A young officer in the British army turned away in horror from the doctrine of this hymn. His pride revolted, his self-righteousness rose in rebellion, and he said: “He would be a coward indeed who would go to heaven at the cost of another!” As the years rolled away this man rose to distinction and high rank in the army, and he also learned wisdom. In his last hours, as he lay on his deathbed, he repeatedly begged those near him to sing “O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head,” calling it, “My hymn, my hymn!” - Sankey's Story of the Gospel Hymns
Pine Brook, New Jersey, United States
"That bitter cup -- love drank it up; now blessings draught for me." How can one improve upon that? Unfortunately we in our church never sang this hymn, but our pastor, Al Martin quoted it the first time (for us) during his preaching through Mark's Gospel when he got to the part about Jesus being in the garden of Gethsemane (Mk. 14:36) and a few times after that during his sermons. Also, someone in the church had it printed on fancy paper and I got a copy of it to read some years ago. I was happy to find it here as I lost my copy of it.
What a blessing!
Bearsden Glasgow, Strathclyde, United Kingdom
This comes from Scotland.
When we gathered together to remember our Lord and Saviour round His table until He comes again.
Happy days of fellowship and sang the hymn to the tune "Rowan Tree".
God Bless who look for His return.
Hanahan, SC, United States
The fifth stanza is taken from Zechariah 13:7 and brought tears to my eyes as I reflected upon it. Hallelujah for the person and work of Christ!