Jesus Pitying the Sighs

Jesus Pitying the Sighs is a hymn text by John Newton (1779) in C.M. meter. Found in lw 370, tlh 181. Sung to MARTYRDOM.

The hymn exemplifies Lutheran soteriology by highlighting Christ's substitutionary compassion and the divine response to human sinfulness and sorrow. It presents the Gospel consolation that Jesus hears and responds to the penitent sigh of the contrite heart.

History & Background

Written by John Newton and published in the Olney Hymns (1779), this hymn reflects Newton's pastoral concern for sinners and penitents. It became a standard hymn in Lutheran hymnals, particularly TLH, emphasizing Christ's merciful response to human despair.

Hymnal Appearances

• Lutheran Worship — 370
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 181

Bulletin Note

Written by John Newton in 1779, this hymn draws on the author's deep experience of grace and repentance. Newton's testimony—from slave trader to abolitionist minister—infuses these words with authentic pastoral comfort.

Preaching Connection

This hymn's central image of Christ pitying human sighs powerfully illustrates the Law's conviction of unworthiness and the Gospel's radical answer: substitutionary compassion that silences despair with absolution.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (conviction of sin and Christ's sacrifice) to Gospel (amazement at grace, personal response of self-surrender)

Background Research

TLH 181, Part II of Pollock's "Seven Words on the Cross" litany (Hymnary, LH1941 heading "The Seven Words on the Cross: II"): the penitent thief, "Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." Thomas Benson Pollock (b. Isle of Man 1836, d. Bordesley 1896) studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin and then switched to theology. In 1865 he joined his brother J. S. Pollock at St Alban's Mission, Birmingham, and the two worked a very poor parish together for about 30 years against considerable opposition (praise.org.uk). "Father Tom" refused promotion so he would not leave his brother. He wrote all the unsigned verse in their paper The Gospeller, and his brother sang alternate verses of his litanies at Evensong (Project Canterbury). He became vicar when James died in December 1895 and died exactly a year later. He sat on the A&M committee and chaired it in his last year. His litanies were published as Metrical Litanies (1870). TLH prints the Seven Words as linked hymns. Parts II–VII are confirmed as TLH 181–186 by the Hymnary headings; Part I is presumably TLH 180 and is not in this research tier. All are set to SEPTEM VERBA (Schumacher, 1939). The response \"Lord, in mercy hear us\" is the Hymnary text title. See also r812 and r827.

Overview

The Second Word: 'Today you will be with me in Paradise.' One of seven short litany hymns by Thomas B. Pollock on the Seven Words from the cross (TLH 180-186), each stanza ending 'Hear us, holy Jesus.' The set was designed for the Three Hours (Tre Ore) devotion on Good Friday, one hymn after each meditation. Jesus hears the sighs of the dying thief and promises Paradise (st. 1); in our guilt we too claim his mercy (st. 2) and look from our cross to his for hope (st. 3).

Central theme: The penitent thief's welcome as the pattern of mercy for every guilty sinner

Structure

Three tercets with refrain (7.7.7 + 'Hear us, holy Jesus'). The thief (1) — our guilt (2) — our cross and his (3).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: 'our guilt and shame' (2). Gospel: Paradise promised to a dying criminal (1); 'hope divine' (3).

Confessional Connections

Luke 23:43 (TLH's text). The thief is the clearest case of justification by grace through faith without works (Rom 4:5; AC IV): no time for works, no Baptism recorded, only 'Jesus, remember me' and the promise 'Today.' 'Paradise' — the soul with Christ immediately after death (AC XVII). St. 3: 'from our cross to Thine' — our sufferings are not atoning, but are borne in view of his (theology of the cross).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Good Friday (Tre Ore, Second Word); Lent.

Historical Notes

Pollock (1836-1896), an Anglican priest serving the poor at St. Alban's, Birmingham, published the Seven Words litanies in 1870 (Metrical Litanies). He was known for metrical litanies of this kind.

About the Tune

SEPTEM VERBA (Bernhard Schumacher, 1939) — apparently composed for TLH (verify) and used for all seven Pollock hymns.

Scripture References

Luke 23:39-43 Luke 18:13 Rom 10:13 Rom 4:5 Matt 16:24 Heb 12:2 Rom 15:13

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Christ's compassion Penitence and forgiveness Redemptive suffering Grace to the repentant

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "Jesus Pitying the Sighs" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "MARTYRDOM" ↗