O Jesus, Lamb of God, Thou Art

Above:  Icon of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Image in the Public Domain

A hymn for the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24)

Hymn Source = Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal (1880), Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and Other States (1818-1930)

(The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, contains an altered translation)

Original German Words (Published in 1646) by Bartholomaus Helder (1585-1635)

English Translation (1880) by August Crull (1845-1923)

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1.  O Jesus, Lamb of God, Thou art

The Life and Comfort of my heart.

From wrath I, wretched sinner, flee

With all my many sins to Thee.

2.  O God, my sinfulness is great!

I groan beneath a dreadful weight;

Yet, be Thou merciful, I pray,

And take my guilty curse away.

3.  St. John, the Baptist, biddeth me

To cast my burden, Lamb, on Thee:

Since Thou art come, as Friend indeed,

To succor me and all in need.

4.  Grant that I may amend my ways,

And keep Thy Word throughout my days:

To this end, Lord, abide with me,

And when I die take me to Thee.