How does A German Requiem differ from a traditional religious requiem?

A German Requiem (Ein deutsches Requiem) by Johannes Brahms differs significantly from a traditional requiem mass, which is a musical setting of the Roman Catholic liturgy for the dead (missa pro defunctis).12

Key differences include:

• Textual Source: While traditional requiems utilize the standard Latin liturgical text, Brahms—who was raised Protestant—rejected these conventions. Instead, he curated his own libretto using German-language passages from the Old and New Testament based on Martin Luther’s translation of the Bible.12
• Purpose and Tone: Traditional requiems often emphasize the "fire and brimstone" associated with judgment, frequently featuring the "Dies irae" (Day of Wrath) as a dramatic centerpiece. In contrast, Brahms’s work is intentionally devoid of such imagery. His focus is on providing comfort to the living and highlighting the solace found in God and the afterlife.12
• Structure: The work consists of seven movements, featuring a mix of chorus, orchestra, and vocal soloists, rather than following the rigid structure of the Catholic Mass for the Dead.1