Behold the Lamb of God!
Behold the Lamb of God! is a hymn text by Horatius Bonar (1846) in 7.7.7.7 meter. Found in CW93 101, ELH 235, lw 340, tlh 165. Sung to AGNUS DEI.
This hymn expresses the Lutheran doctrine of Christ as the Lamb of God whose substitutionary sacrifice accomplishes redemption through the shedding of His blood. It emphasizes penitential faith in Christ's atoning work, central to Lutheran understanding of justification and reconciliation with God.
History & Background
Written by Scottish Free Church minister Horatius Bonar in 1846, this hymn became widely used in evangelical Protestant worship throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. It first appeared in various hymnals and was included in The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) as hymn 165.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship — 101
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 235
- Lutheran Worship — 340
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 165
Bulletin Note
Written by Scottish minister Horatius Bonar in 1846, this hymn anchors worship in the paschal mystery—Christ as the Lamb whose blood cleanses all sin. Its simple 7.7.7.7 meter makes it memorable for all ages.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens a sermon on Christ's atoning work by holding together the weight of human sin (law) and the liberating power of Christ's blood (gospel), making visible the heart of Lutheran justification theology.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: acknowledgment of universal sin, appeal to Christ's sacrificial work, petition for mercy and peace
Overview
Matthew Bridges, author of 'Crown Him with Many Crowns,' wrote this Passiontide hymn; each stanza begins with the Baptist's 'Behold the Lamb of God!' (John 1:29). Let his death not be in vain for me; his pierced side my refuge (st. 1); into the flood of his blood I cast my soul (st. 2); hail, incarnate Word — purge the leaven and feed us with heavenly manna (st. 3); he alone is worthy of the throne, one with the Father and the Spirit (st. 4).
Central theme: Beholding the slain Lamb as refuge, cleansing, food and enthroned God
Structure
Four seven-line stanzas (6.6.6.4.8.8.4), each opening 'Behold the Lamb of God!' Refuge (1) — cleansing (2) — food (3) — throne (4).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel throughout: slain for sinners; cleansing blood; heavenly food; the Lamb enthroned.
Confessional Connections
John 1:29 (TLH's text). St. 1, 'Let it not be in vain' — Christ's death is for all (universal atonement, FC XI.28), but is received only by faith ('Thee for my Savior let me take,' AC IV); unbelief rejects it. St. 3: 'Purge out our leaven' (1 Cor 5:7: 'Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed') and 'celestial food, manna from heaven' (John 6) — in Lutheran use naturally heard with the Sacrament. St. 4: the Lamb 'one with the Ancient of all days… one with the Paraclete' — the Trinity, with the slain Lamb at the center of the throne (Rev 5:6; AC I).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Lent; Holy Week; Communion.
Historical Notes
Bridges (1800-1894) became a Roman Catholic in 1848, the year this hymn appeared in his Hymns of the Heart.
About the Tune
ECCE AGNUS (Neues Gesangbuch, Dresden, 1593, adapted).
Scripture References
John 1:29 Gal 2:21 John 19:34 Ps 46:1 Zech 13:1 1 John 1:7 Ps 51:2 John 1:14 1 Cor 5:7-8 Rom 13:14 John 6:31-35 Rev 5:6-13 Dan 7:9 John 14:16 1 John 1:5 1 John 4:8
Stanza by Stanza
Behold the Lamb of God! You who were slain for sinners, do not let your death be in vain for me! Let me take you as my Savior and make your pierced side my only refuge.
John 1:29. 'If righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose' (Gal 2:21) — 'in vain.' The pierced side (John 19:34); 'God is our refuge' (Ps 46:1).
- Scripture
- John 1:29, Gal 2:21, John 19:34, Ps 46:1
- Imagery & language
- Lamb; slain; pierced side.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — received in faith.
- Connection to previous
- Refuge.
Behold the Lamb of God! I cast my soul into the sacred flood of your precious blood. Wash me and make me pure and clean; hold me up through life's changing scenes until everything is past.
'A fountain opened… to cleanse them from sin' (Zech 13:1). 'Wash me thoroughly' (Ps 51:2). 'The blood of Jesus… cleanses us' (1 John 1:7).
- Scripture
- Zech 13:1, Ps 51:2, 1 John 1:7
- Imagery & language
- Flood of blood; washing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — cleansing.
- Connection to previous
- Cleansing.
Behold the Lamb of God! Hail, incarnate Word, everlasting Lord! Purge out our leaven; clothe us with godliness and good; feed us with your heavenly food, manna from heaven.
'The Word became flesh' (John 1:14). 'Cleanse out the old leaven… Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed' (1 Cor 5:7-8). 'Put on the Lord Jesus Christ' (Rom 13:14). 'I am the bread of life… the true bread from heaven' (John 6:32-35).
- Scripture
- John 1:14, 1 Cor 5:7-8, Rom 13:14, John 6:31-35
- Imagery & language
- Incarnate Word; leaven; manna.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — feeding and clothing.
- Connection to previous
- Heavenly food.
Behold the Lamb of God! He alone is worthy to sit on the throne of God above, one with the Ancient of Days, one with the Comforter in praise, all light and all love!
'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain' (Rev 5:12); the Lamb 'in the midst of the throne' (Rev 5:6). 'The Ancient of Days' (Dan 7:9). 'Another Helper [Paraclete]' (John 14:16). 'God is light… God is love' (1 John 1:5; 4:8).
- Scripture
- Rev 5:6-13, Dan 7:9, John 14:16, 1 John 1:5, 1 John 4:8
- Imagery & language
- Throne; Ancient of Days; Paraclete.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Lamb enthroned.
- Connection to previous
- Enthroned.
Themes
Christ's redemptive sacrifice Atonement through Christ's blood Penitence and faith Substitutionary atonement