O Dearest Jesus, What Law Have You Broken
O dearest Jesus, what law have you broken
The hymn exemplifies Lutheran penal substitution theology, showing Christ bearing the judgment due for human sin while revealing the depth of divine love. It connects personal guilt to Christ's redemptive work, embodying the central comfort of Lutheran justification by faith.
History & Background
Originally composed by Johann Heermann in German as 'O liebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen' around 1630. Robert Bridges produced the English translation in 1899, which became standard in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 354
- Glory to God — 220
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 123
- Lutheran Service Book — 439
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 172
- Lutheran Worship — 119
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 143
- Voices Together — 185
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written by Johann Heermann in 1630 during the Thirty Years' War, this meditation on Christ's passion distills Lutheran penal substitution theology into unforgettable poetry—comfort for the afflicted conscience.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law-Gospel pattern perfectly: it exposes our sin through repeated questioning, then answers with the gladness of substitutionary atonement—Christ's obedience where we failed.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- Of Justification Augsburg Confession
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (human guilt and Christ's rejection) → Gospel (substitutionary atonement and divine intercession) → Response (adoration and petition for pardon)
Themes
Christ's passion and suffering Substitutionary atonement Human sinfulness Christ's obedience Redemption through the cross