A Lamb Alone Goes Willingly

A Lamb Alone Goes Willingly

Paul Gerhardt lived in a time and culture of war and violence. He knew a kind of Babylon and felt exile; Biblical life was all around. His refuge was in the world of hymnody and his own texts. In this hymn, traditionally translated „A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth,“ the Lamb is his salvation. His heart poured out trust, love, and praise in a language simple, gracious, and beautiful. His words paint a picture of pain, praise and salvation. Creation and simple life belong to the language of Paul Gerhardt’s piety and prayer.

„A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth“ is about Jesus Christ the Lamb. For the Christian church the Lamb means lent, Good Friday. Follow the Lamb in the simple flow of stanza one in the hymn text: The uncomplaining Lamb of God sets out to save the world, bearing alone the burden, dies shorn of his honors, goes to slaughter, is weak and faint, led to die without triumph, and though spotless, gives life as offering,. He bears shame and strife and wrath and anguish, mockery and death for us gladly. In this single stanza is the entirety of Heilsgeschichte. One might ask, What more is there to sing?

In stanza two we sing: This lamb is Christ, our friend, Savior, God’s only Son sent to win us rebels over. Then the Father begins conversation with the Son, saying: Go down and free my children from death and condemnation, and though it be painful, and stripes be hard to bear, through you they will share the joy of your salvation.

In stanza three the Son answers the Father with a tender heart and accepts the burden. He says: My Father’s will is my command, I will do as I am asked to do. Then comes the exclamation acknowledging that this command is about the wondrous power of love moving the stone. Salvation is all about love.

The final stanza is a song of peace and comfort. We sing: Of death I am no more afraid for dying is part of living and being clothed in royal robes. This is God’s love, enough for me to wear through all eternity, and which I can wear before the Father at Jesus‘ side as the church, gathers as the faithful bride. This garment we wear is love and this is what the Father sees.

This is like the song line: Christi Blut und Gerechtigkeit, dass ist mein Schmuck und Ehren Kleid, dammit will ich vor Gott bestehen wenn ich im Himmel wird eingehen („Jesus your blood and righteousness, My beauty are, my glorious dress… in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head.“) What a comforting stanza! Paul Gerhardt makes sure that the love story is received in the heart and spirit of the singer.

How fitting that the tune name is: „By the Waters of Babylon.“ For many in Paul Gerhardt’s time, the Thirty Years War was like exile and the song „The Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth“ was a picture of comfort for his congregation in Berlin who were beside their waters of Babylon far from their spiritual home.

Three of his five children had died in infancy. Then he lost one of his two remaining sons. Naturally from this also hymns were born. His wife died and he was left with a six-year-old son. Many beautiful hymns were written at this time.

The hymn writer’s youth and early manhood was lived in time of war. He knew a world and people and parish in need of the Lamb in a Lenten journey. Until age forty-five he was still a student and still a candidate for ordination. Once appointed, Gerhardt’s hymns soon were published in a Berlin hymn book and attracted wide attention. Then called to the Church of St Nicholas, his hymns and preaching attracted many. In his role as peacemaker between Lutheran and Calvinist controversies, Gerhardt brought many a hope, piety, and gospel of a loving God of all creatures and a Christ who died for all.

For the past eighty years, almost since my birth it seems, I have each night prayed and often sung by memory all stanzas of „Breit Aus Die Fluegel Beide“ as my evening prayer. Perhaps it could be ours as well.

Lord Jesus, since you love me, Now spread your wings above me

And shield me from alarm, Though Satan would devour me,

Let angel guards sing o’er me: This child of God shall meet no harm.

My loved ones, rest securely, For God this night will surely

From peril guard your heads. Sweet slumbers may he send you

And bid his hosts attend you And through the night watch o’er your beds.

Dr. Herbert Brokering
11642 Palmer Road
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55437
E-Mail: herb@brokering.com