 The seven cantos were used for the text of Dieterich Buxtehude's "Membra Jesu Nostri" addressing the various members of the crucified body 
The poem was translated into German by the Lutheran hymnist Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676).He reworked the Latin version to suggest a more personal contemplation of the events of Christ's death on the cross.It first appeared in Johann Crüger's hymnal "" in 1656.