O Dearest Jesus – Hymn Lyric
“O Dearest Jesus” is a touching hymn filled with gratitude for the immense love and sacrifice of Jesus. It asks why He had to suffer such a harsh punishment and explains that it was for our sins. The hymn encourages a life lived in accordance with His will and looks forward to praising Him in eternity.
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O Dearest Jesus – Hymn Lyric
O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession?
What dark transgression?
They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They crucify Thee.
Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.
What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The Master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who would not know Him.
The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted
God is committed.
There was no spot in me by sin untainted;
Sick with sin’s poison, all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me.
O wondrous love, whose depth no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded!
All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying
While Thou wert dying.
O mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story?
How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer?
What dare I offer?
For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder
Thy woes, Thy mercy, still transcend our wonder.
Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee!
Can I requite Thee?
Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee;
I will renounce whate’er doth vex or grieve Thee
And quench with thoughts of Thee and prayers most lowly
All fires unholy.
But since my strength will nevermore suffice me
To crucify desires that still entice me,
To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me
And reign within me!
I’ll think upon Thy mercy without ceasing,
That earth’s vain joys to me no more be pleasing;
To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever.
Whate’er of earthly good this life may grant me,
I’ll risk for Thee; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.
But worthless is my sacrifice, I own it;
Yet, Lord, for love’s sake Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift in Thy great meekness
Nor shame my weakness.
And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in Heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee,
I, too, shall praise Thee.
Meaning of O Dearest Jesus
Oh Dearest Jesus, what a powerful hymn this is! It speaks of the immense love and sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and it is filled with deep emotions and gratitude.
The hymn begins by questioning why Jesus, who has done no wrong, has to suffer such a harsh punishment. It asks if He has committed some great crime or dark transgression. The verse describes how Jesus is mocked, scorned, and even given gall to drink. It is heartbreaking to think of the pain and humiliation He endured on the cross.
The hymn then answers the question of why Jesus had to suffer – it was for our sins. Our wrongdoing caused Him to suffer and die. The verse acknowledges that the punishment He faced was strange and undeserved. Jesus, who is the Shepherd, willingly gave His life for His wayward sheep. He paid the debt that we owed Him but could never repay. The sinless Son of God died in sadness so that we, as sinful human beings, may live in gladness.
The hymn acknowledges that there was nothing pure or spotless about us. Sin had tainted our hearts, and its poison had brought us to the brink of damnation. It is only through the wondrous love of Jesus that we can be saved. His love brought Him to this earth, surrounded by enemies and criminals, while we were busy chasing worldly pleasures. His sacrifice is awe-inspiring.
The hymn then declares the greatness and eternal glory of Jesus, the mighty King. It poses the question of how one can adequately spread His wondrous story and offer gifts that are worthy of Him. It acknowledges that no human wisdom can fully comprehend His suffering and mercy. Yet, even though our efforts to repay Him may fall short, we should not abandon Him. Instead, we should renounce anything that grieves Him and strive to fill our thoughts with Him and offer prayers of humility.
The verse acknowledges that our strength is not enough to resist the temptations that lure us away from godly living. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can conquer our desires and engage in good deeds. The hymn expresses the desire to constantly dwell on God’s mercy and to be indifferent to the empty pleasures of this world. The sole purpose becomes seeking to do God’s will.
No matter what earthly possessions or comforts this life may offer, the hymn expresses the willingness to risk it all for Jesus. There should be no fear of shame or persecution, for ultimately, man cannot harm us, and even death does not bring fear. The sacrifices made for Jesus may seem insignificant, but He will accept them in His great meekness and love. He will not shame our weakness but will treasure our offering.
Finally, the hymn looks forward to the future when, in heaven, we will receive the crown of joy that Jesus has prepared for us. It speaks of the eternal praise that will be offered to Him by His saints, and how we will join in that praise. The hymn is a beautiful reminder of the hope and eternal gratitude we have for Jesus.
In conclusion, “O Dearest Jesus” is a moving hymn that conveys the depth of love and sacrifice made by Jesus for our salvation. It expresses a profound gratitude for His mercy and acknowledges our unworthiness. It encourages a life lived in accordance with His will and ends with the anticipation of praising Him for eternity. May we always remember and cherish the love of Jesus, our Dearest Savior.
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