O Thou, the Lamb of God -- Hymn Lyrics

1. O Thou, the Lamb of God,
Spotless and most holy,
Is slain, th'unblemished Lamb, to bear

Our sins at Calvary.

2. This is the broken bread,
The body marred for me,
The very body of the Lord,
Nailbroken on the tree.

3. This is the blood outpoured
In judgment, in my stead;
For you, for me, at Calvary
In love and mercy shed.

4. Here is the table spread
Which Jesus doth prepare,
Who gives us now this bread of life,
This cup which now we share.

5. The Lord for Whom we yearn,
Ascended for a space,
Comes soon, and we at His return
With joy shall see His face.

6. And we? Until that hour,
Let us, in every place
Bear still our cross, still tell His power,
His mercy and His grace!

• Title: While the hymn doesn't have an official title in your excerpt, it often begins with the first line: "O Thou, the Lamb of God".
• Author: The specific author and origin of this hymn are not immediately identifiable in standard hymnody resources. It may be a lesser-known or regional hymn, possibly composed for communion services.
• Theme: The central theme is the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, expressed through the symbolic elements of the Lord's Supper.

Analysis of Themes

1. Christ as the Spotless Lamb:
   The first verse reflects the imagery of Jesus as the Lamb of God, a concept rooted in John 1:29 (KJV): "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." This connects to Old Testament sacrificial symbolism fulfilled in Christ.

2. The Broken Body and Shed Blood:
   The second and third verses reference the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper, symbolizing Jesus’ broken body and shed blood (1 Corinthians 11:24-25, KJV). The sacrificial language emphasizes His substitutionary death for sinners.

3. The Table Prepared by Jesus:
   The fourth verse portrays the Lord’s Supper as a banquet of grace, recalling Jesus’ preparation of the table for believers (Luke 22:19-20, KJV).

4. Christ’s Return:
   The fifth verse expresses the eschatological hope of seeing Christ face to face, a theme drawn from passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV).

5. The Christian’s Call to Witness:
   The final verse encourages believers to remain faithful, bearing their cross and proclaiming God’s mercy and grace until Christ returns.

Usage

This hymn is well-suited for:

• Communion Services: Its focus on Christ's sacrifice and the symbols of the Lord’s Supper makes it ideal for Eucharistic worship.
• Eschatological Reflection: The anticipation of Christ's return provides a hopeful and forward-looking perspective.

Musical Setting

The hymn could be paired with a solemn and reflective tune, suitable for deep contemplation during worship.

Spiritual Significance

This hymn invites believers to meditate on the depth of Christ's sacrifice and to remain steadfast in their faith, proclaiming His love and grace while eagerly awaiting His return. It is a meaningful addition to worship, blending rich theology with heartfelt devotion.