Christ, the life of all the living
Author: Ernst C. Homburg
Christ, the Life of all the living, 
Christ the Death of death, our foe, 
Who Thyself for us once giving 
To the darkest depths of woe, 
Patiently didst yield Thy breath 
But to save my soul from death; 
Praise and glory ever be, 
Blessèd Jesus, unto Thee. 
 
Thou, O Christ, hast taken on Thee 
Bitter strokes, a cruel rod; 
Pain and scorn were heaped upon Thee, 
O Thou sinless Son of God, 
Only thus for me to win 
Rescue from the bonds of sin; 
Praise and glory ever be, 
Blessèd Jesus, unto Thee. 
 
Thou didst bear the smiting only 
That it might not fall on me; 
Stoodest falsely charged and lonely 
That I might be safe and free; 
Comfortless that I might know 
Comfort from Thy boundless woe. 
Praise and glory ever be, 
Blessèd Jesus, unto Thee. 
 
Heartless scoffers did surround Thee, 
Treating Thee with shameful scorn 
And with piercing thorns they crowned Thee, 
All disgrace Thou, Lord, hast borne 
That as Thine Thou mightest own me 
And with heavenly glory crown me. 
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, 
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee. 
 
Thou hast suffered men to bruise Thee 
That from pain I might be free; 
Falsely did Thy foes accuse Thee, 
Thence I gain security; 
Comfortless Thy soul did languish 
Me to comfort in my anguish. 
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, 
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee. 
 
Thou hast suffered great affliction, 
And hast borne it patiently, 
Even death by crucifixion, 
Fully to atone for me; 
Thou didst choose to be tormented 
That my doom should be prevented. 
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, 
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee. 
 
Then, for all that wrought our pardon, 
For Thy sorrows deep and sore, 
For Thine anguish in the garden, 
I will thank Thee evermore; 
Thank Thee with my latest breath 
For Thy sad and cruel death, 
For that last and bitter cry 
Praise Thee evermore on high. 
 
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