1. Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,

that man to judge thee hath in hate pretended?

By foes derided, by thine own rejected,

O most afflicted.

2. Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?

Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee.

‘Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee:

I crucified thee.

3. Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;

the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;

For our atonement, while he nothing heeded,

God interceded.

4. For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,

thy mortal sorrow, and thy life’s oblation;

thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,

for my salvation.

5. Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,

I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,

think on thy pity and thy love unswerving.

Not my deserving.

Words: Johann Heermann (1585-1647); tr. Robert Seymour Bridges (1844-1930) Music: Herzliebster Jesu, Johann Cruger (1598-1662), alt.