1 O darkest woe!
Ye tears, forth flow!
Has earth so sad a wonder,
That the Father's only Son
Now lies buried yonder!

2 O sinful man,
It was the ban
Of death on thee that brought Him
Down to suffer for thy sins,
And such woe hath wrought Him.

3 Behold thy Lord,
The Lamb of God,
Blood-sprinkled lies before thee,
Pouring out His life that He
May to life restore thee.

4 O Ground of faith,
Laid low in death!
Sweet lips now silent sleeping!
Surely all that live must mourn
Here with bitter weeping.

5 Yea, blest is he
Whose heart shall be
Fixed here, and apprehendeth
Why the Lord of glory thus
To the grave descendeth.

6 O Jesus blest!
My help and rest!
With tears I pray--Lord, hear me;
Make me love Thee to the last,
In the grave be near me!