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Lord Jesus Christ, the Church's Head

Lord Jesus Christ, the Church's Head is a hymn text by Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig (1837) in 8.7.8.7.8.8.7 meter. Translated by Peer Ørling Strømme. Found in CW21 861, CW93 536, ELH 212, lsb 647. Sung to KIRKEN DEN ER ET GAMMELT HUS.

This hymn embodies Grundtvig's theological emphasis on the Church as the living Body of Christ, where believers are built together as living stones. It reflects Lutheran conviction that Christ's headship over the Church is both present and active in the communion of saints.

History & Background

Written by Danish bishop Nikolai Grundtvig in 1837, this hymn reflects his ecclesiology emphasizing the living Church and Christ's role as head. It was translated into English by Peer Ørling Strømme in 1954 and has become a standard hymn in Lutheran hymnals.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 861
  • Christian Worship — 536
  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 212
  • Lutheran Service Book — 647
  • Lutheran Worship — 293
  • The Lutheran Hymnal — 477

Translation

Peer Ørling Strømme

Bulletin Note

Written by Danish theologian Nikolai Grundtvig in 1837, this hymn reflects his conviction that the Church is Christ's living body. Grundtvig recovered the ancient understanding of apostolic faith transmitted through the Church's living tradition, not merely its written texts.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Gospel's proclamation of Christ's present lordship over His Church, transforming our self-understanding from isolated sinners into living members of His body, reconciled and built together through His redemptive work.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Proclamation of Christ's Church as eternally founded on the Rock (Matthew 16:18), immovable amid historical upheaval, sustained by grace rather than human institutions, demanding faithful living in confidence of salvation

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Sts. Peter and Paul

Suggested in the one-year series

  • Sts. Peter and Paul (2×)
  • Trinity 22 (2×)
  • Confession of St. Peter (1×)
  • Maundy Thursday (1×)
  • St. James The Elder (1×)
  • Trinity 2 (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Sts. Peter and Paul (1×)
  • Proper 12 (2×)
  • Proper 16 (1×)
  • Proper 22 (1×)

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

Themes

The Church as Body of Christ Unity of believers Christ's headship Living stones in God's house

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