[586]Herzliebster:

Johann Crüger, 1640

[587]Ecce Jam Noctis:

Sarum Plainsong, Mode IV

German; Johann Heermann, c.1630;

Tr. Robert Bridges, 1899

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.

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.

Lo, the good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;

The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;

For man's atonement, while he nothing heedeth,

God intercedeth.

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.

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.

Amen.