Thursday, April 2, 2020

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

The hymn "A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth" (LSB 438) is true Gospel comfort. This hymn by Paul Gerhardt, originally 10 stanzas, tells of the love of God in offering His Son for our salvation. The four stanzas in the Lutheran Service Book tell of a dialogue between the Father and the Son that determines the final obedient sacrifice of the Son because of divine love. Beyond all sin, suffering, pain or sorrow in this life, the Christian can anticipate salvation in Christ, leading to eternal joy in heaven.
1 A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth,
The guilt of sinners 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,
He bears the stripes, the wounds, the lies,
The mockery, and yet replies,
“All this I gladly suffer.”
2 This Lamb is Christ, the soul’s great friend,
The Lamb of God, our Savior,
Whom 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 lay the One into the grave
Who built the earth’s foundation.
4 Lord, when Your glory I shall see
And taste Your kingdom’s pleasure,
Your blood my royal robe shall be,
My joy beyond all measure!
When I appear before Your throne,
Your righteousness shall be my crown;
With these I need not hide me.
And there, in garments richly wrought,
As Your own bride shall we be brought
To stand in joy beside You.
Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: CPH Limited Promotional License no. 119000000

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