Sorrow and Salvation: A Playlist for Lent

"David Mourning for Absalom," 1873, unknown author.

YouTube playlist

Lent is a time for remembering. We remember: “God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him” (Romans 5:8, MSG).

Of course, music and remembering are intimately tied together. Just as a snatch of a song overheard at a grocery store can take you back to childhood, we hope this new Lenten playlist will stir up your memories of the one who gave his lifeblood for us all.

From J.S. Bach to the haunting strains of “When David Heard” to a hymn from the contemporary folk singer Sufjan Stevens, there is a little something for everyone on this new list.

Crucifixion (Marian Anderson)

They crucified my Lord, and he never said a mumbling word.
Not a word. Not a word. Not a word. 

They pierced him in the side, and he never said a mumbling word.
Not a word. Not a word. Not a word. 

He bowed his head and died, and he never said a mumbling word.
Not a word. Not a word. Not a word. 

Erbarme Dich (Bach)

Have mercy, my God,
For the sake of my tears
See here, before you
Heart and eyes weep bitterly.
Have mercy, my God

When David Heard (Eric Whitacre)

When David heard that Absalom was slain,
He went down to his chamber over the gate and wept
And thus he said,
“Oh my son, Absalom my son,
Would God I had died for thee.”

When Jesus Wept/David's Lamentation (Sally Rogers)

When Jesus wept, a falling tear
In mercy flowed beyond all bounds.
When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear
Seized all the earthly world around. 

David the king was grieved and moved
He went to his chamber, his chamber and wept,
And as he went, he wept and said, 
"O my son! O my son!
Would to God I had died
Would to God I had died
Would to God I had to died thee, O Absalom, my son, my son."

Ah Holy Jesus (Sufjan Stevens)

Ah, Holy Jesus, how hast thou offended
That we to judge thee have in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted. 

For me, kind Jesus, was thine incarnation
Thy mortal sorrow, and thy life’s oblation
Thy death of anguish, and thy bitter passion
For my salvation.

O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded (Choir of Trinity College)

O sacred head, sore wounded, with grief and shame weighed down.
O kingly head surrounded with thorns your only crown.
Death’s shadows rise before you, the glow of life decays.
Yet hosts of heaven adore you, and tremble as they gaze.

In this your bitter passion, Good Shepherd, think of me
With your most sweet compassion, unworthy though I be.
Beneath your cross abiding forever would I rest
In your dear love confiding, and with your presence blessed.

Wondrous Love (Blue Highway)

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on,
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Choir of King's College)

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.