Hallgrímur Pétursson

The Way of the Cross and Thirty-One Meditations on Christ's Passion Hallgrímur Pétursson

HALLGRÍMUR PÉTURSSON (1614-1674) was so blessed in his abilities as a Christian hymn-writer that he is occasionally referred to as the "Paul Gerhardt of Iceland." His Hymns of the Passion (first published in 1666) are loved in Iceland to this day, and are aptly described as "an unquestionable work of genius." (Sigurbjörnur Einarsson, bishop of Iceland) Ordained in 1644, the early years of Pétursson's ministry were spent in a poor parish, and leprosy forced his retirement from the ministry in 1669. Even on his death-bed, Pétursson continued to compose poems thanking the Triune God for His grace: COME, Lord, Thyself with Thine abounding grace; Mine utmost depth of need Thine eyes can trace: Thou, Lord, through life's long way my Guard and Guide; Let not Thy pilgrim's last tired footsteps slide.