Lamb of God, Pure and Holy

Lamb of God, pure and holy

Lamb of God, Pure and Holy is a hymn text by Nicolai Decius (1531) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by composite English translation. Found in elw 336, h82 96, lbw 111, lsb 434.

This hymn expresses central Lutheran theology of Christ's substitutionary atonement, emphasizing Jesus as the Lamb sacrificed for the sins of the world. The text reflects both penitential concern for human sinfulness and confidence in God's grace through Christ's innocent suffering.

History & Background

Originally German hymn 'O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig' by Nicolai Decius, published 1531. English translation emerged in the 19th century as composite work adapting the German text for Lutheran hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 336
The Hymnal 1982 — 96
Lutheran Book of Worship — 111
Lutheran Service Book — 434
Lift Up Your Hearts — 156
Lutheran Worship — 208
The Lutheran Hymnal — 146
Voices Together — 269

Translation

composite English translation

Bulletin Note

Nicolai Decius composed this hymn in 1531 during the Reformation. Its Agnus Dei structure echoes the ancient liturgy while expressing the evangelical conviction that Christ alone bears away the world's sin.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Lutheran understanding of substitutionary atonement: it names our sin honestly, then proclaims that Christ's suffering on our behalf is the Gospel's final and sufficient word.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Confession of Sin Small Catechism — Confession

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

Nikolaus Decius's 'O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig' (1522/23), earlier than any of Luther's hymns; first printed in Low German in Slüter's Rostock hymnal (1531), High German in Leipzig (1539). Titled 'Das Agnus Dei Deutsch', it was first sung at Communion; when Luther's 'Christe, du Lamm Gottes' took that role it became a Passion hymn. Bach used its melody as the cantus firmus soaring over the opening chorus of the St Matthew Passion, plus organ settings (BWV 618, 656). Source: Wikipedia 'O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig'.

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Holy Monday

Suggested in the one-year series

Holy Monday (1×)
Good Friday (4×)
Trinity 14 (3×)
Maundy Thursday (2×)
Ash Wednesday (1×)
Holy Tuesday (1×)
Holy Wednesday (1×)
Lent 1 (1×)
Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (1×)
Palm Sunday (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

Good Friday (4×)
Epiphany 2 (2×)
Proper 23 (2×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

Decius's German paraphrase of the Agnus Dei, one of the first Reformation hymns. The three stanzas are identical except for the last line, exactly as in the Latin Agnus Dei ('have mercy… have mercy… grant us peace'). It addresses Christ as the innocent, patient Lamb who bore all sins, and prays for mercy and peace. Its repetitive form makes it a prayer rather than a narrative, and it has served both as a Passion hymn and as the Agnus Dei in the communion liturgy.

Central theme: Christ the innocent Lamb who bore all sin, from whom we beg mercy and peace

Structure

Threefold repetition of one stanza; only the final petition changes in st. 3 (mercy, mercy, peace).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: despair would reign without him; he bore all sins. The petition for mercy is faith's cry.

Confessional Connections

Vicarious atonement (AC III, IV). Lutheran liturgy kept the Agnus Dei at communion because Christ the Lamb is present in the Sacrament (FC VII).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Agnus Dei during distribution; Lent; Good Friday; Passion services.

Historical Notes

Decius (c. 1485-after 1546), a former monk turned Lutheran preacher, also wrote 'All Glory Be to God on High' (Gloria) and a German Sanctus. Bach uses this chorale in the opening of the St. Matthew Passion.

About the Tune

O LAMM GOTTES, UNSCHULDIG — adapted from a plainsong Agnus Dei; long lines, reverent.

Scripture References

John 1:29 Isa 53:4-7 1 Pet 2:22-24 Heb 12:2 Luke 18:13 John 14:27

Stanza by Stanza

1 Lamb of God, pure and holy (I)…

Christ, the pure and holy Lamb who suffered on the cross, patient and humble, offered himself to scorn and bore all our sins, without which despair would rule us; have mercy on us, O Jesus.

The title 'Lamb of God' (John 1:29) gathers the Passover lamb (Ex 12) and the silent lamb of Isa 53:7. 'Pure and holy' (unschuldig, innocent) — he had no sin of his own (1 Pet 2:22; Heb 7:26), which is why he could bear ours. 'Thyself to scorn didst offer' — his suffering was voluntary (John 10:18). 'All sins Thou borest for us' — universal, complete substitution (Isa 53:6; 1 John 2:2). 'Else had despair reigned o'er us' names exactly what the Gospel rescues from. The petition is the tax collector's prayer (Luke 18:13).

Scripture: John 1:29, Isa 53:6-7, 1 Pet 2:22-24, Heb 7:26, John 10:18, 1 John 2:2, Luke 18:13
Imagery & language: Lamb; cross; scorn.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — substitution; prayer for mercy.
Connection to previous: First petition.

vicarious atonement innocence of Christ Kyrie/Agnus Dei

2 Lamb of God, pure and holy (II)…

The same confession is repeated with the same prayer for mercy.

The repetition is not filler. In the liturgical Agnus Dei the plea is made three times, as persistent prayer (Luke 18:1-8) and as an echo of the Trinity. Repeating the confession lets it sink in: he bore all sins; without him, despair. Lutheran worship values such repetition because faith clings to the same Word again and again.

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Matt 26:44, Heb 9:28
Imagery & language: Repetition.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — repeated plea for mercy.
Connection to previous: Second petition.

persistent prayer atonement

3 Lamb of God, pure and holy (III)…

The confession is repeated a third time, ending with a prayer for Christ's peace.

Only the last line changes: 'Thy peace be with us.' As in the Latin ('dona nobis pacem'), mercy is crowned by peace — the peace of sins forgiven (John 14:27; Rom 5:1). In the communion liturgy this is the moment of receiving the Lamb's body and blood, and the peace he gives (John 20:19-21).

Scripture: John 14:27, Rom 5:1, John 20:19-21, Eph 2:14
Imagery & language: Peace.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — peace given.
Connection to previous: Final petition, completing the Agnus Dei.

peace with God Lord's Supper Agnus Dei

Themes

Atonement Redemption through Christ's sacrifice Lamb of God imagery Forgiveness of sins Eucharistic theology

Look Further

Search Hymnary.org for "Lamb of God, Pure and Holy" ↗