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The hymn “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” is based on a 900-year-old poem by Bernard of Clairvaux. Bernard was a towering figure in the political, intellectual, and religious life of 12th-century Europe. He helped to found and promote the Knights Templar and preached the Second Crusade.

Bernard focused on divine love demonstrated in the Incarnation and revealed in Christ’s suffering. Jesus’ love for us was so great that He chose to suffer for us, providing forgiveness of sins and identifying with humanity’s weakness and suffering.

Thus, from Christ we learn compassion and mercy from both a human and divine perspective. To Bernard, the only proper response to God’s love in Christ is to love Him in return and to imitate Him by loving our neighbor. Both Martin Luther and John Calvin quoted Bernard in support of justification by faith; Calvin also mentioned him in support of imputed righteousness.

Bernard of Clairvaux authored the original Latin text, Paul Gerhardt translated the hymn into German, and Rev. James W. Alexander translated the hymn into English.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down; 
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, thine only crown; 
O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss 'til now was Thine! 
Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.

What thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinners' gain: 
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain. 
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place; 
Look on me with thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow? To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy Dying sorrow, Thy pity without end? 
O Make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be, 
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.

Note:

I am indebted to Britannica.com in the writing of this meditation.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Bernard-of-Clairvaux/Pillar-of-the-church

Bernard of Clairvaux: “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” - The Gospel Coalition | Canada