He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.
Isaiah 53:7
Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for Times of Trouble and Persecution, second edition, enlarged (London: Strahan, 1744), page 29.
Music: Aberystwyth (Parry) Joseph Parry, 1876. First published in Edward Stephens’ Ail Lyfr Tonau ac Emynau, 1879 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Lamb of God, we follow Thee,
Willing as Thou art to be,
Joyful in Thy steps to go,
Suffering for Thy sake below.
Taking up our daily cross,
Called to shame, and pain, and loss,
Well contented to sustain
All the rage of cruel man.
Who Thy lovely pattern knows
Cannot force with force oppose,
They that to Thy fold belong
Dare not render wrong for wrong.
Bruised by the oppressor’s hand
Evil they will ne’er withstand,
All that follow Thee are meek,
Taught to turn the other cheek.
Jesu, in Thy gracious power,
Lo! we meet the fiery hour,
Calm, dispassionate, resigned,
Armed with all Thy patient mind.
After Thee with joy we come,
Sheep before our shearers dumb,
Answering not one angry word,
True disciples of our Lord.
Suffering here we threaten not,
Innocent in word and thought,
Harmless as a wounded dove,
Hatred we repay with love.
Turn, almighty as Thou art,
Turn our persecutors’ heart,
Let them to our faith be given,
Let us meet our foes in Heaven.