I Am Jesus' Little Lamb
I am Jesus' little lamb
I Am Jesus' Little Lamb is a hymn text by Henrietta Louisa Soss (1859) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by William Merrell Taylor. Found in CW21 804, CW93 432, ELH 177, lsb 740.
The hymn expresses Lutheran confidence in Christ's pastoral care and the assurance of salvation through personal relationship with Jesus. It embodies the Lutheran emphasis on God's grace protecting the believer and the comfort of divine shepherding, particularly appropriate for catechumens and children in faith formation.
History & Background
Originally written in German by Henrietta Louisa Soss and published in 1859, this hymn became popular in German Lutheran hymnals. William Merrell Taylor provided the English translation in 1889, which has remained the standard English version.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 804
- Christian Worship — 432
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 177
- Lutheran Service Book — 740
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 473
- Lutheran Worship — 517
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 648
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Henrietta Louisa Soss in 1859, this hymn captures the Lutheran reassurance of grace through the image of Christ as shepherd. Its simplicity and directness made it a staple of catechesis and children's worship.
Preaching Connection
This hymn distills the Gospel into its essence: the sinner's comfort lies not in moral achievement but in the intimate, protective relationship with Christ the Shepherd, whose care leaves no room for fear or condemnation.
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Easter 3 (3×)
- Holy Innocents (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Easter 4 (8×)
- Proper 19 (3×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
Henriette Luise von Hayn, a teacher and member of the Moravian community at Herrnhut, wrote this children's hymn of trust in the Good Shepherd. In German-American Lutheran congregations it became perhaps the best-loved children's hymn and is also sung at the funerals of children. The lamb is glad because the Shepherd guides, provides and calls it by name (st. 1); feeds it and leads it to quiet waters (st. 2); and at the end of its short life will gather it to his breast (st. 3). It is Psalm 23 and John 10 in a child's voice.
Central theme: The child's joyful confidence in Jesus the Good Shepherd, who knows, feeds, guides and finally carries home his lamb
Structure
Three six-line stanzas (7.7.8.8.7.7). Known and loved (1) — fed and led (2) — carried home (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Pure Gospel; the Shepherd does everything.
Confessional Connections
Baptized children belong to Christ's flock (AC IX; Mark 10:14). The Shepherd 'calls me by my name' — Isa 43:1, 'I have called you by name, you are mine' — heard in Lutheran use as a baptismal promise. Perseverance as the Shepherd's keeping (John 10:28; FC XI). Angels carry the soul at death (Luke 16:22).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Children's services; Baptism; Easter 4 (Good Shepherd); funerals, especially of children; bedtime.
Historical Notes
Von Hayn (1724-1782) taught girls at Herrnhut. The tune is from the Moravian Brüder Choral-Buch (1784). The hymn was a staple of Missouri Synod parochial schools.
About the Tune
WEIL ICH JESU SCHÄFLEIN BIN (Brüder Choral-Buch, 1784).
Scripture References
John 21:15 John 10:3, 11, 14, 27-28 Isa 40:11 Ps 23:1-3 Isa 43:1 Matt 6:32 Ps 121:8 John 6:35 Rev 7:17 Luke 16:22 Ps 90:10
Stanza by Stanza
I am Jesus' little lamb, always glad at heart, for my Shepherd gently guides me, knows my needs and provides for me well, loves me the same every day, and even calls me by my name.
John 21:15 (TLH's text): 'Feed my lambs.' The child's identity comes first: 'I am Jesus' little lamb' — belonging is given (Baptism). John 10:3: 'he calls his own sheep by name.' 'Loves me every day the same' — not dependent on the child's performance (Heb 13:8).
- Scripture
- John 21:15, John 10:3, 14, Isa 43:1, Matt 6:32, Heb 13:8
- Imagery & language
- Little lamb; called by name.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — belonging and love.
- Connection to previous
- Known by name.
Day by day, at home or away, Jesus is my staff and support. When I'm hungry he feeds me and leads me into pleasant pastures; when I'm thirsty he tells me to go where the quiet waters flow.
Ps 23:1-3: green pastures, still waters. 'At home, away' — Ps 121:8, 'your going out and your coming in.' Christ feeds body and soul (John 6:35).
- Scripture
- Ps 23:1-4, Ps 121:8, John 6:35, Rev 7:17
- Imagery & language
- Staff; pastures; quiet waters.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — daily provision.
- Connection to previous
- Fed and led.
Who is as happy as I am, the Shepherd's lamb even now? And when my short life is over, attended by his angels, he will gather me to his heart and let me rest in his arms.
'Even now' — the child is already Christ's (John 10:28). 'My short life' — Ps 90:10; an honest word that makes the hymn a comfort at a child's funeral. Angels attend (Luke 16:22). 'He will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom' (Isa 40:11).
- Scripture
- John 10:27-28, Ps 90:10, Luke 16:22, Isa 40:11
- Imagery & language
- Fold to his breast; angels.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — carried home.
- Connection to previous
- Carried home.
Themes
Assurance of salvation Divine care and protection Child-like faith Pastoral imagery Security in Christ