The Lutheran Church is historically known as “the singing church” This is due to the emphasis placed on music and congregation singing by Martin Luther and the Wittenberg Reformation. This year marks the 500th anniversary of the first collections of Lutheran hymns published in 1524. In the month of October, we will sing a song from these collections each Sunday at our traditional service.
The first edition of the “hymnal” was really a lose collection of eight songs that were written by various authors and already sung in the church at Wittenberg. The title was Songs and Psalms of Praise according to the pure word of God from the Holy Scriptures written by various highly educated people to sing in the churches, as is already the practice in Wittenberg. It was printed in early 1524 in Nuremberg, Germany.
The first eight hymns were written by Martin Luther and Paul Speratus working in collaboration. Of the original eight, three are in our current Lutheran Service Book: Salvation Unto Us Has Come (LSB 555), Dear Christians One and All, Rejoice (LSB 556), and From Depths of Woe, I Cry to Thee (LSB 607).
The collection was so popular, that by the end of the year, a second edition was published, called the Erfurt Enchiridion (Handbook), which may be considered the first proper hymnal in the Lutheran Church. It was published in Erfurt in 1524 and had twenty-six songs, which included the original eight published earlier that year. Of the twenty-six, eighteen were written by Martin Luther. Other composers were Paul Speratus, Justus Jonas, Elisabeth Cruciger, and one by Jan Hus. While these songs could be sung in the churches, the handbook was intended for home use and other occasions. People were to sing these songs everywhere. Sixteen of these songs were included in the first English hymnal printed in London in 1555. Congregational singing continued to spread as the Lutheran Reformation advanced. Today we take singing in church for granted.
Thirteen songs from the Erfurt Edition are included in our Lutheran Service Book today. In addition to the three listed above, we still sing: Savior of the Nations Come (LSB 332), We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth (LSB 382), The Only Son from Heaven (LSB 402), Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands (LSB 458), Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord (LSB 497), Come Holy Ghost Creator Blest (LSB 498), These are the Holy Ten Commandments (LSB 518), O Lord, We Praise Thee (LSB 617), Jesus Christ our Blessed Savior (LSB 627), In the Very Midst of Life (LSB 755).
In Colossians 3:16 it says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” The Lutheran Reformation truly took this verse to heart. In the spirit of the Old Testament Psalms, they put faith and music together. They taught the people and praised God simultaneously. How amazing that we sing so many of these hymns to this day! We continue our tradition of being “the singing church” as we lift our voices in praise to God, teaching the faith, and singing the Gospel.
In the month of October, we will sing the following songs that are marking their 500th anniversary of publication.
October 6 – Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord (LSB 497)
October 13 – Salvation Unto Us Has Come (LSB 555)
October 20 – Dear Christians One and All Rejoice (LSB 556)
October 27 – O Lord We Praise Thee (LSB 617)