Day 18 - Lord Jesus, think on me
- Congregational Federation
- Mar 7
- 2 min read
Lent is a challenging season for those choosing hymns for public worship. Most of our congregations are not very familiar with tunes in a minor key, as is the case with some Lenten hymnody. Also, Lenten hymns tend to focus on Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, or Holy Week, so finding hymns for other Sundays is not easy. One place where Lenten hymns in a minor key is not unusual, is a cathedral. Today`s hymn, Lord Jesus, think on me, is one I think I have ever only sung in Liverpool and Manchester Cathedrals.
A little bit of background, from articles in the Dictionary of Hymnology; “The author was Synesius, a native of Cyrene, born circa 375. He became distinguished for his eloquence and philosophy, and as a statesman and patriot he took a noble stand. When the Goths were threatening his country he went to the court of Arcadius, and for three years tried to rouse it to the dangers that were coming on the empire. But Gibbon says, “The court of Arcadius indulged the zeal, applauded the eloquence, and neglected the advice of Synesius."
In 410 he was made Bishop of Ptolemaïs, (now part of Libya) but much against his will. He died in 430.
Synesius` words were translated by Allen William Chatfield, born at Chatteris, October 2nd, 1808, and educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He graduated in 1831, taking a first class in classical honours, taking Holy Orders in 1832. Today`s hymn comes from his Songs and Hymns of Earliest Greek Christian Poets, Bishops, and others, translated into English Verse, 1876.
The hymn was included in Congregational Praise (No. 380) in the section The Life of Discipleship – Penitence and Forgiveness, where it is set to the tune Southwell.
Listen to the hymn being sung and may the words be a personal prayer as you continue your spiritual journey though Lent.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
and purge away my sin;
from earthborn passions set me free,
and make me pure within.
Lord Jesus, think on me
with many a care opprest;
let me thy loving servant be,
and taste thy promised rest.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray;
through darkness and perplexity
point thou the heavenly way.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when the flood is past,
I may the eternal brightness see,
and share thy joy at last.
Alan Kennedy
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