O Christ, Thou Lamb of God

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God is a hymn text by Martin Luther (1528) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Various English translators. Found in h82 S161, lbw 103, lw 206, ph87 257. Sung to AGNUS DEI.

This hymn exemplifies Lutheran soteriology, emphasizing Christ as the spotless Lamb whose sacrifice alone removes the sins of the world through faith. It connects the Old Testament sacrificial system to Christ's redemptive work, central to Lutheran understanding of justification by grace through faith.

History & Background

Martin Luther wrote this German text 'O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig' in 1528, based on the Agnus Dei liturgical prayer. It became one of the most important Lutheran communion and penitential hymns, embodying the Reformation theology of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Scripture References The Agnus Dei is an ancient church text that developed st. =John 1:29 from John the Baptist’s salutation of Christ: “Look, the Lamb Matt. 20:30 of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ” (John 1:29; Isa. Ps. 123:3 53:7; Rev. 5:6-14). By the late seventh century this Latin text was introduced into the Roman Catholic Mass at a point just prior to the reception of communion. In the tenth century the Agnus Dei’s third clause was changed to its present wording, “dona nobispacem” (“grant us peace”). The translation of the text into German included the uniquely Lutheran addition of “Christe” to the beginning of each clause. This translation was first published in Low German in 1528 in Johannes Bugenhagen’s manual DerErbarn Stadt Brunswig Christlike Ordeninge. The English version in the Psalter Hymnal is an adaptation of the Lutheran text mixed with a translation provided by the International Committee on English in the Liturgy, a Roman Catholic group that has been active ever since Vatican II (196265). In any language the text is a profound but short prayer for mercy and peace. 397 THE PSALMS, BIBLE SONGS, AND HYMNS

Hymnal Appearances

• The Hymnal 1982 — S161
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 103
• Lutheran Worship — 206
• Psalter Hymnal — 257
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 147

Translation

Various English translators

Liturgical Use

Lord’s Supper; Lent, though traditionally used in any season; service of confession and forgiveness.

Bulletin Note

Martin Luther penned this hymn in 1528, grounding it in the Gloria Agni Dei of the Latin Mass. It transforms ancient liturgical imagery into a personal, grace-centered plea—the Reformation sung.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies Luther's insight that Christ the Lamb fulfills the Law's sacrificial demands and silences the accuser—making it a perfect echo or response to any sermon on justification by grace alone through faith in the Crucified.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

• The Second Article (Concerning Redemption) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: acknowledgment of universal sin, appeal to Christ's sacrificial work, petition for mercy and peace

Background Research

TLH 147, "Christe, du Lamm Gottes", the German Agnus Dei. Wikipedia credits Luther with the translation of the Latin Agnus Dei. It first appeared with its melody (Zahn 58) in Bugenhagen's Braunschweig Kirchenordnung, printed in Wittenberg in 1528, which matches TLH's "From the German, 1528". Luther's Deutsche Messe (1526) sang "Jesus Christus, unser Heiland" at Communion instead. The melody is a Dorian chant, which Wikipedia links to the Kyrie rather than the Agnus Dei chant. Bach used it in Cantata BWV 23 (final chorale), the second version of the St John Passion, the lost Weimar Passion, and the Orgelbüchlein prelude BWV 619. Mendelssohn wrote a chorale cantata on it, and Hessenberg a motet (1951). Still in use: EG 190.2 and the Catholic Gotteslob 208.

Overview

The German Agnus Dei in its Reformation form, from the Braunschweig church order of 1528 (Bugenhagen). Three nearly identical petitions — 'have mercy upon us' twice, 'grant us Thy peace' the third time — addressed to Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). In Lutheran use it is sung during the distribution of the Lord's Supper and in Lent; the repetition is the point: a plain, threefold cry to the Lamb who is present on the altar.

Central theme: The threefold cry to the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sin: mercy, and finally peace

Structure

Three short prose petitions, identical except that the third asks for peace instead of mercy and closes with Amen.

Law & Gospel Shape

Implicit Law: 'the sin of the world'; Gospel: the Lamb 'takest away' that sin; mercy and peace given.

Confessional Connections

John 1:29 (TLH's text). 'The sin of the world' — universal atonement (1 John 2:2; FC XI.28). In the Divine Service the Agnus Dei is sung as the consecrated elements are distributed: the Lamb of whom we sing is truly present in his Body and Blood (AC X; FC VII), and his 'peace' is the forgiveness given there (SC Sacrament of the Altar: 'forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation'). 'Have mercy' — the Kyrie of the publican (Luke 18:13). Luther retained the Agnus Dei in both the Formula Missae (1523) and Deutsche Messe (1526).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Agnus Dei in the Communion liturgy; Lent and Holy Week; Good Friday.

Historical Notes

The German text appeared in Bugenhagen's Braunschweig Kirchenordnung (1528) with its melody, adapted from the plainsong Agnus Dei.

About the Tune

CHRISTE, DU LAMM GOTTES (Braunschweig, 1528).

Scripture References

John 1:29 John 1:36 Isa 53:7 Rev 5:6-12 1 Cor 5:7 Luke 18:13 Matt 15:22 John 14:27 Rom 5:1 Heb 9:28 1 John 2:2

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Atonement Christ's sacrifice Forgiveness of sins Penitence Grace

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "O Christ, Thou Lamb of God" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "AGNUS DEI" ↗