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From God the Father, Virgin-Born

From God the Father, virgin-born

This hymn expresses core Lutheran Christology, emphasizing the incarnation as God's merciful condescension to human nature for salvation. It reflects the hypostatic union and serves as a poetic exposition of the Nicene Creed's central affirmations about Christ's divine and human natures.

History & Background

Martin Luther wrote this Trinitarian hymn in 1524 as part of the early Lutheran hymnic revival. It was first published in the Wittenberg Gesangbuch and became a foundational catechetical hymn for Lutheran worship and Christian education.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 366
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 83
  • Lutheran Service Book — 401
  • Lutheran Worship — 74
  • With One Voice — 645

Translation

Frederick C. Maker

Bulletin Note

Composed by Martin Luther in 1524, this hymn distills the Nicene Creed's teaching on Christ's two natures into vernacular verse, making patristic Christology accessible to the common people.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes the Gospel's answer to the Law: Christ, born of Mary, fulfills every demand of righteousness while offering sinners grace freely—the hypostatic union made lyrical.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Themes

Incarnation Christology Trinity God's mercy Divine nature

Look Further