A Lamb alone bears willingly
A Lamb alone bears willingly is a hymn text by Nicolai Grundtvig (1844) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Gracia Grindal. Found in CW21 422, CW93 100, ELH 331, elw 363.
The hymn embodies Lutheran doctrine of justification by faith, presenting Christ as the innocent Lamb whose willing sacrifice satisfies divine justice and restores humanity to God. It reflects Grundtvig's vision of participatory faith where the congregation identifies with Christ's redemptive work through the gathered community.
History & Background
Originally composed in Danish as 'Et Lam gik stille hen' by Grundtvig in 1844, reflecting his sacramental theology and emphasis on Christ's redemptive work. The English translation by Gracia Grindal first appeared in LBW (1985) and was subsequently included in LSB (2006).
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 422
- Christian Worship — 100
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 331
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 363
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 105
- Lutheran Service Book — 438
- Lutheran Worship — 111
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 142
- Voices Together — 228
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Grundtvig in 1844, this Danish hymn embodies the Reformation's doctrine of justification by faith alone, presenting Christ's willing sacrifice as the sole satisfaction of divine justice and the restoration of humanity to God.
Preaching Connection
This hymn crystallizes the Lutheran understanding of substitutionary atonement: the Law's perfect demand (Isaiah 53) finds its Gospel answer in Christ's willing, innocent sacrifice—a proclamation that frames how we preach both the weight of sin and the sufficiency of grace.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Palm Sunday (6×)
- Good Friday (3×)
- Quinquagesima (2×)
- Epiphany 1 (1×)
- Holy Cross (1×)
- Lent 2 (1×)
- Maundy Thursday (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Palm Sunday (7×)
- Good Friday (4×)
- Holy Cross (1×)
- Lent 1 (1×)
- Proper 20 (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Themes
Substitutionary atonement Christ's suffering servant Innocent sacrifice Redemption through Christ