Scripture Verse

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

Introduction

illustration
Wallfahrtskirche
Steinhausen, Germany

Words: Bar­tho­lo­mä­us Hel­der (1585–1635) (O Läm­me­lein Gott­es, Je­su Christ). Pub­lished in Can­tio­na­le Sac­rum (Go­tha, Ger­ma­ny: 1646), num­ber 103. Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Au­gust Crull, 1880, alt.

Music: Wei­mar Karl P. E. Bach, 1784 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
August Crull (1845–1923)

Lyrics

O Je­sus, Lamb of God, Thou art
The Life and Com­fort of my heart.
A sin­ner poor I come to Thee
And bring my ma­ny sins with me.

O God, my sin in­deed is great;
I groan be­neath the dread­ful weight;
Be mer­ci­ful to me, I pray;
Take guilt and pun­ish­ment away.

Saint John the Bap­tist points to Thee
And bids me cast my sin on Thee;
For Thou hast left Thy throne on high
To suf­fer for the world and die.

Help me to mend my ways, O Lord,
And glad­ly to obey Thy Word.
While here I live, abide with me;
And when I die, take me to Thee.