Dearest Jesus What Law Hast Thou Broken

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.