Was Ever Grief Like Mine?

Words: George Herbert, 1633, alt.; “The Sacrifice” (Stz. 33–42); Music: Daryle Worley, III, 2024
First shared on Good Friday 2024

Behold, they spit on me in scornful wise
Who by my spittle gave the blind man eyes
Leaving his blindness to my enemies
Was ever grief like mine?

My face they cover, though it be divine
As Moses face was covered, so is mine
Lest on their double-dark souls either shine
Was ever grief like mine?

Servants and cast offs mock me; they are witty
"Now prophesy who strikes thee?" is their ditty
So they in me deny themselves all pity
Was ever grief like mine?

And now I am delivered unto death
Which each one calls for so with utmost breath
That he before me well nigh suffereth
Was ever grief like mine?

Weep not, dear friends, since I for both have wept
When all my tears were blood, the while you slept
Your tears for your own fortunes should be kept
Was ever grief like mine?

The soldiers lead me to the Common Hall
There they deride me, they abuse me all
Yet for twelve heavenly legions I could call
Was ever grief like mine?

Then with a scarlet robe they me array
Which shows my blood to be the only way
And cordial left to repair man's decay
Was ever grief like mine?

Then on my head a crown of thorns I wear
For these are all the grapes that Zion bears
Though I my vine planted and watered there
Was ever grief like mine?

So sits the earth’s great curse in Adam’s fall
Upon my head: so I remove it all
From earth unto my brows, and bear the thrall
Was ever grief like mine?

Then with the reed they gave to me before
They strike my head, the rock from thence all store
Of heavenly blessings issue evermore
Was ever grief like mine?