God's Own Son Most Holy
God's own Son most holy
This hymn celebrates the paradox of the divine nature assuming human flesh for human salvation, central to Lutheran Christology. It reflects the incarnational emphasis of Lutheran theology and the tension between Christ's divine majesty and voluntary humiliation.
History & Background
Martin Behm composed this German hymn in the early 17th century as a meditation on Christ's incarnate nature and redemptive work. The text was widely circulated in German hymnals and appeared in English translation during the 19th-century Lutheran hymnal compilation period.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 652
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 312
- Lutheran Service Book — 333
- Lutheran Worship — 30
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 74
Translation
composite English translation (various hands)
Bulletin Note
Martin Behm's 1610 hymn to the tune 'Herzlich tut mich verlangen' anchors Lutheran Christology in the incarnation's paradox: divine majesty voluntarily assuming human nature for our redemption.
Preaching Connection
This hymn deepens incarnational preaching by embodying the Law-Gospel dialectic: it exposes our unworthiness before God's majesty while proclaiming the Gospel's stunning reversal—that same majesty stoops to save us.
Themes
Incarnation Christ's humility Redemption Christ's ministry Divine majesty in human form