The ''Passíusálmar'' or ''Passion Hymns'' are a collection of 50 poetic texts written by the

Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...

ic minister and poet,

Hallgrímur Pétursson Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614 – 27 October 1674) was an Icelandic poet and a minister at Hvalsneskirkja and Saurbær in Hvalfjörður. Being one of the most prominent Icelandic poets, the Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík and the Hallgrímskirkja ...

. The texts explore the Passion narrative, as traditionally presented, from the point where

Christ Jesus ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Christianity, central figure of Christianity, the M ...

enters the Garden of Gethsemane to his death and burial. Hallgrímur began composing the work in 1656, while serving as

pastor A pastor (abbreviated to "Ps","Pr", "Pstr.", "Ptr." or "Psa" (both singular), or "Ps" (plural)) is the leader of a Christianity, Christian congregation who also gives advice and counsel to people from the community or congregation. In Lutherani ...

of Saurbær in

Hvalfjörður Hvalfjörður (, "whale fjord") is situated in the west of Iceland between Mosfellsbær and Akranes. The fjord is approximately long and wide. The origin of the name Hvalfjörður is uncertain. Certainly today there is no presence of whales i ...

. It took him three years to complete, the final poem being written in May 1659; the first edition was published seven years later, in 1666. By the end of the century they had become so popular in

that five editions had been published. Since that time, they have been reprinted more than 75 times, a unique achievement in Icelandic literature. The poems were translated into many other languages, including

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

, English, Chinese and Danish. The first English edition was published in 1913. In the 1950s a new translation was made by Arthur Charles Gook. This new translation received the imprimatur of the Bishop of Iceland, Sigurbjörn Einarsson, and is published by Hallgrímskirkja. In addition, a selection of texts were translated by Anglican Bishop Charles Venn Pilcher and published in a pamphlet entitled "Thirty-One Meditations on Christ's Passion"; this translation, although incomplete, is regarded as more faithful to Hallgrímur's

Lutheran Lutheranism is a major branch of Protestantism that emerged under the work of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German friar and Protestant Reformers, reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practices of the Catholic Church launched ...

theology Theology is the study of religious belief from a Religion, religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an Discipline (academia), academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itse ...

. The ''Passíusálmar'' quickly became an important part of Icelandic religious expression, being sung or read during Lent in every Icelandic home; today, they are broadcast on the radio during that time of year. They have been set to music by many composers of Icelandic church music, including Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson and Jón Hlöðver Áskelsson, but use outside Iceland is rare.

Titles of the 50 hymns

Hymn I. Christ goes to the Garden Hymn II. Christ's Suffering in the Garden Hymn III. “Sorrowful, even unto Death” Hymn IV. Christ's Appeals to His Disciples Hymn V. The Jews arrive in the Garden Hymn VI. Judas' Kiss and Christ's Arrest Hymn VII. Peter's Defence and Malchus' Wounded Ear Hymn VIII. Christ's Address to the Jews Hymn IX. The Flight of the Disciples Hymn X. The First Enquiry before Caiaphas Hymn XI. Peter's Denial Hymn XII. Peter's Repentance Hymn XIII. The False Witnesses and Caiaphas' Judgment Hymn XIV. The Soldiers mock Christ Hymn XV. The Priests' Conference Hymn XVI. The Remorse of Judas Hymn XVII. The Potter's Field Hymn XVIII. The Jews' First Charge before Pilate Hymn XIX. Christ's Confession before Pilate Hymn XX. The Jews' Second Charge before Pilate Hymn XXI. Herod's Curiosity and the Gorgeous Robe Hymn XXII. The Demand for Crucifixion Hymn XXIII. The Scourging of Christ Hymn XXIV. The Scarlet Robe and Crown of Thorns Hymn XXV. Christ led from the Judgment Hall Hymn XXVI. Christ and Pilate Hymn XXVII. Pilate and the Jews Hymn XXVIII. Pilate's unjust Judgment Hymn XXIX. Release of Barabbas Hymn XXX. Christ bears His Cross Hymn XXXI. Christ's Address to the Women Hymn XXXII. The Green and the Dry Tree Hymn XXXIII. The Crucifixion of Christ Hymn XXXIV. The First Cry from the Cross Hymn XXXV. The Superscription on the Cross Hymn XXXVI. Christ's Garments divided Hymn XXXVII. The Second Cry from the Cross Hymn XXXVIII. The Mocking suffered on the Cross Hymn XXXIX. The Thief's Repentance Hymn XL. The Third Cry from the Cross Hymn XLI. The Fourth Cry from the Cross Hymn XLII. The Fifth Cry from the Cross Hymn XLIII. The Sixth Cry from the Cross Hymn XLIV. The Seventh Cry from the Cross Hymn XLV. The Death of Christ Hymn XLVI. The Signs that accompanied His Death Hymn XLVII. Christ's Friends, who stood far off Hymn XLVIII. The Saviour's wounded Side Hymn XLIX. The Burial of Christ Hymn L. The Guard on Watch

References

{{Hymns and songs for Lent and Passiontide Lutheran hymnals Lutheran hymns Passion hymns Icelandic literature Caiaphas Gethsemane Works based on the New Testament