More specifically and fully it is, in Buxtehude's phrase, a “devotione [it] decantata,” or “sung devotion,” titled Membra Jesu nostri patientis sanctissima, which translates from the Latin as Limbs Most Holy of Our Suffering Jesus.

[1] The stanzas of its main text are drawn from the medieval hymn Salve mundi salutare,[2] also known as the Rhythmica oratio, formerly ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux but now thought to be by Arnulf of Leuven.

Each cantata addresses a part of Jesus' crucified body: feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart and face; in each, Biblical words referring to the limb frame verses of the hymn's text.

Buxtehude selected biblical verses for the concertos, and three strophes from each part of the poem Salve mundi salutare for the arias in each cantata.

Membra Jesu nostri is scored for five voices SSATB, two violins, consort of viols, and a basso continuo of double bass, theorbo and organ.