Hymns…
the Catholicity of Time
Connected
to the Church of Every Age
Connected to Bible Times
Old Testament poetry
The “praise of God” (Augustine’s definition of a hymn) did not begin with the New
Testament. New Testament song developed naturally from a large variety of Old
Testament patterns. Much of the Old Testament is in poetic form: Song of Solomon,
Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Job, and of course, the book of Psalms.
Psalms was the hymn book of the Old Testament. There are psalms of lament,
psalms of praise and thanksgiving, psalms of instruction, psalms of ascent (sung as
pilgrims approached Jerusalem and went ‘up’ to the Temple), just to name a few.
Connected to Bible Times
Old Testament biblical canticles
Song of Moses and Israel
Cantemus Domino
Song from Deuteronomy
LSB 925
Exodus 15:1-6, 11-13, 17-18
Audite, coeli
Deuteronomy 32:1-4, 8-12, 36a, 39, 43
Confitebor tibi, Domini
Isaiah 12:1-6
Exultavit cor meum
I Samuel 2:1-10
First Song of Isaiah
Song of Hannah
Song of Jonah
All You Works of the Lord
Benedicite, omnia opera
LSB 927
LSB 928
electronic
Clamavi de tribulatione mea Jonah 2:2-9
LSB 926
LSB 985
The Song of the Three Young Men
LSB 931
Connected to Bible Times
Praise of God
in the New Testament
The New Testament contains excerpts from creeds, prayers, doxologies, and
benedictions. St. Paul refers to psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in Col. 3:16.
The most widely known and recognized examples of New Testament hymns are the
three great lyric portions connected to the account of Christ’s nativity in the Gospel
according to St. Luke: the Magnificat, the Benedictus, and the Nunc Dimittis. One can also
mention the Gloria in Excelsis, the Beatitudes of our Lord from His Sermon on the Mount,
and the Dignus es: the songs of praise to the Lamb from the book of Revelation.
Connected to Bible Times
New Testament biblical canticles
My Soul Rejoices
Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord
Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord
Sing Praise to the God of Israel
Benedictus
Luke 1:68-79
LSB 933
LSB 934
LSB 935
LSB 936
Connected to Bible Times
New Testament biblical canticles
Glory to God, We Give You Thanks and Praise
LSB 946
All Glory Be to God on High
LSB 947
Gloria in Excelsis
Luke 2:14
Gloria in Excelsis
Luke 2:14
Gloria in Excelsis
Luke 2:14
All Glory Be to God Alone
Lord, Bid Your Servant God in Peace
Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
In Peace and Joy I Now Depart
LSB 948
LSB 937
LSB 938
Connected to Bible Times
Other New Testament biblical canticles
Jesus Sat with His Disciples
Beatitudes
Blest Are They
Beatitudes
Matthew 5:1-12
electronic
Matthew 5:1-12
Heavenly Hosts in Ceaseless Worship
Dignus es
Rev. 4:1-11; 5:1-14
Dignus es
Rev. 4:1-11; 5:1-14
Splendor and Honor
LSB 932
LSB 982
LSB 949
LSB 950
Connected
to the Early Church
Greek hymnody
“Who does not know about…all the psalms and hymns that were written by
faithful Christians from the beginning, which sing of the Christ as the Word of God and
treat him as God?”
Eusebius, 4th century Church historian quoting Hippolytus of Rome
“…on a stated day they
accustomed
to sing responsively a song to Christ
governor of Bythinia,
(c. 170-236)
(the Christians) were
to gather before daybreak and
as to a God.” Pliny,
written in the early 2nd century to Emperor Trajan
Connected
to the Early Church
Paraphrase from early Christian writings and Greek
hymns
Father, We Thank Thee
Didache
2nd Century
Shepherd of Tender Youth
Clement of Alexandria
O Gladsome Light
Phos hilaron
LSB 864
c. 170-220 A.D.
LSB 888
4th Century
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
5th Century
Liturgy of St. James
The Day of Resurrection
John of Damascus
LSB 621
LSB 478
c. 696-754
Stars of the Morning
Joseph the Hymnographer
LSB 652
c. 810-886
LSB 520
Connected to the
Church of the Middle Ages
Latin hymnody
Latin hymnody began to flourish in the 4th century as the Greek
language began to decline in the West and the liturgy became Latinized.
Latin hymnody was also a response to heresy. Hymnody became a very
important teaching tool to counteract such false teaching and to rightly teach
the truths of the Word of God.
Connected to the
Church of the Middle Ages
Latin hymns before 800 A.D.
in Continental Europe
Savior of the Nations, Come LSB 332
O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright LSB 874
Ambrose of Milan
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens
(348-413)
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
Author unknown
(340-397)
LSB 384
LSB 940
5th Century
The Royal Banners Forward Go LSB 455
Sing, My Tongue
LSB 454
Hail Thee, Festival Day LSB 489
Venantius Honorius Fortunatus
(530-609)
Christ is Our Cornerstone
Author unknown
LSB 912
8th Century
Connected to the
Church of the Middle Ages
Latin hymns before 800 A.D.
in Ireland, Britain and elsewhere
I Bind unto Myself Today
Patrick
From East to West
(372-466)
LSB 604
The Star Proclaims the King is Here
LSB 385
LSB 399
Christ Is the World’s Redeemer
LSB 539
Coelius Sedulius
5th Century
attr. Columba
(521-597)
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
LSB 493
At the Lamb’s High Feast
LSB 633
The Venerable Bede (673-735)
Author unknown 5th -10th Centuries
The Lord’s Prayer
Origin unknown 5th - 10th Centuries
LSB 957
O Savior of Our Fallen Race LSB 403
Author unknown
5th – 10th Centuries
Connected to the
Church of the Middle Ages
Latin hymns in Europe, 800-1400 A.D.
All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Theodulf of Orléans
Father Most Holy
Author unknown
LSB 442
(762-821)
LSB 504
10th Century?
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Bernard of Clairvaux
(1091-1153)
Wipo of Burgundy
c. 1050
LSB 449
Christians, to the Paschal Victim Victimae paschali laudes
Jerusalem the Golden
Bernard of Cluny
LSB 460
LSB 672
12th Century
Now, My Tongue, the Mystery
LSB 630
Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior LSB 640
Thomas Aquinas
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
Author unknown
O Love, How Deep
Thomas à Kempis
14th Century
(1380-1471)
(1225-1274)
LSB 457
LSB 544
Connected
to the Lutheran Reformation
The Reformation era
1517-1550
Of all the contributions of the Lutheran Reformation,
perhaps the greatest is Luther’s restoration of singing to the laypeople, so much so that the
Lutheran Church is often called the “singing church” to this very day.
Luther viewed hymnody as liturgical song. Hymns were not merely opportunities for
people to sing during the liturgy, but a way in which they could sing the liturgy. Many
hymns of the early Reformation show the interest that Luther and the other Reformers had
in providing liturgical hymnody for the people. Many other hymns of this era boldly speak
of the truths of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone.
Connected
to the Lutheran Reformation
The Reformation era, 1520-1550
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
From Heaven Above to Earth I Come
In Peace and Joy I Now Depart
Isaiah, Mighty Seer in Days of Old
May God Bestow on Us His Grace
Our Father, Who From Heaven Above
These Are the Holy Ten Commands
To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord
We All Believe in One True God
Martin Luther
(1483-1546)
LSB 657
LSB 556
LSB 458
LSB 358
LSB 960
LSB 823
LSB 766
LSB 581
LSB 406
LSB 938
LSB 954
Connected
to the Lutheran Reformation
The Reformation era
1520-1550
All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall
Lazarus Spengler
(1479-1534)
Nicolaus Herman
(1480-1561)
Paul Speratus
(1484-1551)
LSB 562
“As Surely As I Live,” God Said
LSB 614
Salvation unto Us Has Come
LSB 555
The Only Son from Heaven
LSB 402
Elisabeth Cruciger
(1500-1535)
Philipp Melanchthon
(1497-1560)
Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide
LSB 585
My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker
Johann Gramann
(1487-1541)
Johann Walter
(1496-1570)
The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us
LSB 820
LSB 514
Connected
to the post-Reformation era
The age of confessionalization
1550-1618
When in the Hour of Deepest Need
Paul Eber
(1511-1569)
LSB 615
The Day is Surely Drawing Near
Bartholomäus Ringwaldt
(1532-1599)
Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart
Martin Schalling
In Thee Is Gladness
(1532-1608)
Johann Lindemann
(1549-1631)
LSB 508
LSB 708
LSB 818
O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright LSB 395
Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying
LSB 516
Philipp Nicolai
(1556-1608)
Martin Behm
(1557-1622)
German, Catholic
16th Century
O Blessed, Holy Trinity
LSB 876
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
LSB 359
Connected
to Hymnody of the 17th Century
The Thirty Years’ War
1618-1648
During the 17th century, Lutheran hymnody took a turn toward a closer
relationship to real life situations, due in part to the ravages of the Thirty Years’ War.
The poetry was metrically more regular and smoother and the theological content
“warmer.”
Paul Gerhardt writes during these troubled times, expertly combining
doctrinal content with a most fervent faith, often expressed introspectively. His
hymns remain among the most popular in Lutheran hymnals to this day.
Connected
to Hymnody of the 17th Century
The Thirty Years’ War
1618-1648
Jesus, Grant That Balm and Healing
Johann Heermann
Now Thank We All Our God
Martin Rinckart
(1586-1649)
Josua Stegmann
(1588-1632)
Jacob Fabricius
(1593-1654)
(1585-1647)
LSB 421
LSB 895
Abide, O Dearest Jesus
O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe
Lord of Our Life
Matthäus A. von Löwenstern
(1594-1648)
O Living Bread from Heaven
Johann Rist
(1607-1667)
Simon Dach
(1605-1659)
Oh, How Blest Are They
LSB 919
LSB 666
LSB 659
LSB 642
LSB 679
Connected
to Hymnody of the 17th Century
The Thirty Years’ War, 1618-1648
A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth
All Christians Who Have Been Baptized
Awake, My Heart with Gladness
Entrust Your Days and Burdens
Evening and Morning
If God Himself Be for Me
Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me
Now Rest Beneath Night’s Shadow
O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is
Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing
Upon the Cross Extended
Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me
Paul Gerhardt
(1607-1676)
LSB 438
LSB 596
LSB 467
LSB 754
LSB 724
LSB 683
LSB 880
LSB 726
LSB 334
LSB 372
LSB 737
LSB 453
LSB 756
Connected
to Hymnody of the 17th Century
Postwar Germany, 1648-1670
Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
Johann Olearius
LSB 347
(1611-1684)
Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense
Otto von Schwerin
(1616-1679)
LSB 741
Jesus, Priceless Treasure
Lord, to You I Make Confession
Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness
LSB 636
Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord
LSB 352
Johann Franck
(1618-1677)
Heinrich Held
(1620-1659)
Georg Neumark
(1621-1681)
If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee
Jesus, I Will Ponder Now
Sigismund von Birken
(1626-1681)
LSB 743
LSB 608
LSB 750
LSB 440
Connected
to the17th and mid- 18th centuries
Hymns of Pietism
The subjective tendency of the late 17th century gradually developed into a
movement called “Pietism,” a reaction against formalism and “dead orthodoxy” of the time.
The more subjective, emotional, and sentimental hymns of Pietism were not suited to the
sturdy chorale tunes of earlier days. Waltz-like triple meters became common and the
more rhythmic chorale tunes were evened out (isorhythmic). Pietism’s lack of intellectual
strength ushered in a movement known as
Rationalism or the
Enlightenment which shook
the foundations of the Christian faith.
Hymns
were revised to suit the intellectual demands of
the time, causing
great harm.
Connected
to the17th and mid-18th centuries
Hymns of Pietism
Draw Us to Thee
Friederich Funcke
(1642-1699)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Joachim Neander
(1650-1680)
Johann Ruopp
(1672--1708)
Johann Mentzer
(1658-1734)
Renew Me, O Eternal Light
LSB 701
LSB 790
LSB 704
Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices
LSB 811
Behold a Host, Arrayed in White
LSB 676
Hans Adolf Brorson
(1694-1764)
God Himself Is Present
Gerhard Tersteegen
Beautiful Savior
Münsterisch Gesangbuch
LSB 907
(1697-1769)
(1650-1680)
LSB 537
Connected
to the mid-18th and19th centuries
Hymns of the Enlightenment
Silent Night, Holy Night
Franz Joseph Mohr
God Loved the World
(1792-1848)
Heiliges Lippen-und Hertzens-Opffner
c. 1778
Heinrich Puchta
(1808-1858)
Wilhelm Loehe
(1808-1872)
August Rische
(1819-1906)
Jesus Comes Today with Healing
Wide Open Stand the Gates
God Loves Me Dearly
Children of the Heavenly Father
Carolina Sandell Berg
(1832-1903)
How Great Thou Art
Carl Gustaf Boberg
(1859-1940)
LSB 363
LSB 571
LSB 620
LSB 639
LSB 392
LSB 725
LSB 801
Connected
to English hymnody
The Hymns of Watts and Wesley
Jesus Shall Reign
Joy to the World
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
From All That Dwell Below the Skies
Come, We That Love the Lord
Isaac Watts
(1674-1748)
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Charles Wesley
(1707-1788)
LSB 425
LSB 816
LSB 669
LSB 338
LSB 832
LSB 387
LSB 733
LSB 469
LSB 380
LSB 700
Connected
to English hymnody
Amazing Grace
Glorious Things of You Are Spoken
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
On What Has Now Been Sown
John Newton
William Cowper
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Samuel Medley
Rock of Ages
LSB 648
LSB 524
(1725-1807)
God Moves in a Mysterious Way
(1731-1800)
(1738-1799)
August Toplady
(1740-1778)
Robert Robinson
(1735-1790)
Come, Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing
18th Century
LSB 744
LSB 921
LSB 765
LSB 461
LSB 761
LSB 686
Connected
to English hymnody
19th Century—The Victorian era
Just As I Am
Charlotte Elliot
Abide with Me
LSB 570
(1789-1871)
Henry Lyte
LSB 878
(1793-1847)
Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
LSB 477
LSB 394
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
Not What These Hands Have Done
LSB 699
LSB 567
Christopher Wordsworth
(1807-1885)
Horatius Bonar
(1806-1889)
Caroline M. Noel
(1740-1778)
John Ellerton
(1826-1893)
At the Name of Jesus
The Day Thou Gavest
LSB 512
LSB 886
Connected
to the 19th century
American Traditional Hymns
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
Ray Palmer
(1808-1887)
Edmund Sears
(1810-1876)
Daniel March
(1816-1909)
Edward Hopper
(1818-1888)
LSB 702
It Came upon the Midnight Clear
LSB 366
Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying
LSB 826
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
LSB 715
Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
LSB 660
God Bless Our Native Land
LSB 965
When Peace, Like a River [It is Well]
LSB 763
George Duffield, Jr.
(1818-1888)
Charles T. Brooks
Horatio Spafford
(1813-1883)
(1828-1888)
Connected
to the 19th century
African American Spirituals
Give Me Jesus
electronic LSB
Go Tell It on the Mountain
My Lord, What a Morning
976
LSB 388
electronic LSB
968
There Is a Balm in Gilead
LSB 749
Were You There
LSB 456
Connected
to the 20th and 21st centuries
Britain, the U.S., Canada and Australia
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
Henry Van Dyke
LSB 803
(1852-1933)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas O. Chisholm
O God of Light
Sarah E. Taylor
(1883-1954)
Thomas Dorsey
(1899-1993)
(1886-1960)
LSB 836
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
LSB 739
Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service
(1901-1984)
Lord of All Hopefulness
Jan Struther
Timothy Dudley-Smith
LSB 848
Albert F. Bayly
LSB 738
(1901-1953)
Christ Be My Leader
LSB 809
b. 1926
LSB 861
Connected
to the 20th and 21st centuries
Britain, the U.S., Canada and Australia
New Songs of Celebration Render
Erik Routley
LSB 792
(1917-1982)
Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love
electronic
Tom Colvin
When Aimless Violence
Joy Patterson
LSB 980
(1925-2000)
LSB 764
b. 1931
Jesus on the Mountain Peak
Brian Wren
b. 1936
No Saint on Earth Lives Life to Self Alone
b. 1940
LSB 415
LSB 747
These Things Did Thomas Count as Real LSB 472
Thomas Troeger
b. 1945
Henry Smith
b. 1952
Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart
LSB 806
Norman J. Kansfield
Connected
to the 20th and 21st centuries
Lutheran Hymn Writers
Thy Strong Word
Preach You the Word
Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free
Martin H. Franzmann
Lord, When You Came as Welcome Guest
F. Samuel Janzow
LSB 578
LSB 586
LSB 473
(1907-1976)
LSB 859
(1913-2001)
Lord of all Nations, Grant Me Grace
Olive Wise Spannaus
b. 1916
LSB 844
Go, My Children, with My Blessing
See This Wonder in the Making
Lately Knelt
LSB 369
Jaroslav J. Vajda
(1919-2008)
Love in Christ Is Strong and Living
LSB 922
LSB 593
LSB 706
Dorothy R. Schultz
b. 1934
Henry L. Letterman
b. 1932-1996
On Galilee’s High Mountain
LSB 835
Where Shepherds
Connected
to the 20th and 21st centuries
Lutheran Hymn Writers
What Is This Bread
Frederic W. Baue
In Holy Conversation
b. 1946
Gregory J. Wismar
The Gifts Christ Freely Gives
Richard R. Resch
The Lamb
b. 1946
b. 1947
Gerald P. Coleman
LSB 772
LSB 602
LSB 547
b. 1953
The Tree of Life
We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God
In the Shattered Bliss of Eden
LSB 629
Stephen P. Starke
b. 1955
David W. Rogner
b. 1960
Steven P. Mueller
b. 1964
Your Kingdom, O God, Is My Glorious Treasure
Christ, the Word of God Incarnate
LSB 561
LSB 941
LSB 572
LSB 654
LSB 540
Connected
to the 20th and 21st centuries
Lutheran Hymn Writers
Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
John W. Arthur
(1922-1980)
For All the Faithful Women
O Christ, Who Shared Our Mortal Life
Voices Raised to You We Offer
Herman G. Stuempfle
(1923-2007)
Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen
Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise
Herbert F. Brokering
(1926- 2009)
Susan Palo Cherwien
b. 1953
O Blessed Spring
Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
Rusty Edwards
b. 1955
Kurt J. Eggert
(1923-1993)
Not unto Us
LSB 955
LSB 552
LSB 855
LSB 795
LSB 474
LSB 680
LSB 595
LSB 849
LSB 558
Connected
to the 20th and 21st centuries
Other Hymn Writers
Our Father, by Whose Name
F. Bland Tucker
(1895-1984)
Christopher Idle
b. 1938
Carl P. Daw, Jr.
b. 1944
LSB 863
If Christ Had Not Been Raised from Death LSB 486
In Silent Pain the Eternal Son
LSB 432
O Light Whose Splendor
We Sing for All the Unsung Saints
LSB 891
LSB 678
We Are Called to Stand Together
LSB 828
Martin E. Leckebusch
b. 1962
Omer E. Westendorf
(1916-1997)
You Satisfy the Hungry Heart
On Eagles’ Wings
Michael Joncas
Lamb of God
Twila Paris
b. 1951
b. 1958
LSB 641
LSB 727
LSB 550
Connected
to the 20th and 21st centuries
O Sing to the Lord
Ethnic Hymnody
Brazilian Folk Song
The Lord Is My Light
Alberto Taulé
b. 1932
Carlos Rosas
b. 1939
Lord’s Prayer [Padre Nuestro]
Eat This Bread
Jesus, Remember Me
Taizé Community
I Lie, O Lord, within Your Care
Jochen Klepper
Listen, God Is Calling
(1903-1942)
Kenyan
Greet the Rising Sun
Zhao Zichen
(1888-1979)
LSB 808
LSB 723
LSB 958/959
LSB 638
LSB 767
LSB 885
LSB 833
LSB 871
Hymns…
the Catholicity of Time
Connected
to the Church of Every Age