Lamb Of God We Fall before Thee
Lamb of God, we fall before Thee
The hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of justification through Christ's atoning sacrifice, presenting the penitent sinner's approach to the Lamb of God. It reflects Grundtvig's pastoral concern for personal appropriation of redemption through faith in Christ's completed work.
History & Background
Originally written in Danish by Grundtvig in 1844, this hymn reflects his theological emphasis on Christ's redemptive work. The English translation by Peer Ø. Strømme (1909) brought this Danish classic into Lutheran hymnody in America.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 311
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 358
Translation
Bulletin Note
Grundtvig's 1844 hymn captures the Danish pastor's vision of personal faith encountering Christ's redemptive work. It has become a cornerstone of Lutheran devotion, uniting contrition with assurance in the Lamb's sacrifice.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran dialectic of Law and Gospel: the law exposes our sin and drives us to our knees; the Gospel reveals the Lamb's completed atonement as the Father's answer to our deepest need.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Second Article (Concerning Redemption) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed
Themes
Christ's sacrifice Atonement Lamb of God Penitence and redemption Christ's passion