Main message: Lord Jesus' suffering and death to save us.

Bible references:

• V1. "thorns, Thine only crown" (Matthew 27:27-29)

• V2. "transgression" (Isaiah 53:5)

• V3. "thank" (Psalm 107:1)

"love" (1 John 4:19)

Keywords: grief, crown, transgression, grace, Friend, love

Interpretation notes:

• The first and second systems are identical in their notes. 

• The third and fourth systems have different melodic shapes and both end on the third scale degree. 

• Bach uses a minor key. 

On the word ‘wounded,’ he uses a suspension of C in the alto voice (a minor 7th chord) before resolving it. 

‘Pale,’ ‘sore,’ and ‘languish’ use similar word-painting techniques. 

• The hymn is in 4/2 time.