Hymns of the Lutheran Church

100 A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

1 A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, Our guilt and evil bearing And, laden with the sins of earth, None else the burden sharing. Goes patient on, grows weak and faint, To slaughter led without complaint, That spotless life to offer, Bears shame and stripes and wounds and death, Anguish and mockery, and says, "Willing all this I suffer." 2 This Lamb is Christ, the soul's great friend, The Lamb of God, our Savior; Him God the Father chose to send To gain for us his favor. "Go forth, my Son," the Father said, "And free my children from their dread Of guilt and condemnation. The wrath and stripes are hard to bear, But by your passion they will share The fruit of your salvation." 3 "Yes, Father, yes, most willingly I'll bear what you command me; My will conforms to your decree, I'll do what you have asked me." O wondrous Love, what have you done! The Father offers up his Son, Desiring our salvation. O Love, how strong you are to save! You make his bed within the grave Who built the earth's foundation. 4 From morn till eve, in all I do, I'll praise you, Christ, my treasure. To sacrifice myself for you Shall be my aim and pleasure. My stream of life shall ever be A current flowing ceaselessly, Your constant praise outpouring. I'll treasure in my memory, O Lord, all you have done for me, Your gracious love adoring.

Text Information

Author
Paul Gerhardt, 1607-76, abr.
Translator
The Lutheran Hymnal, St. Louis, 1941, alt.

Tune Information

Name
AN WASSERFLÜSSEN BABYLON
Meter
87 887 887
Source
Wolfgang Dachstein, c. 1487-1553