The Lutheran Church has always been known as "the singing Church." From the early days of Martin Luther's reforming work, the power of music to teach the faith was recognized and put to good use. Through the hymns we sing, the faith is taught to young and old alike. We learn about our sin and our need for a Savior. We learn about Jesus' work for us in His incarnation, nativity, perfect life, death on the cross, resurrection from the dead, and ascension into heaven. We learn about the Holy Spirit's work to keep us in the faith through the Gospel and how He causes us to grow in good works. We learn how to pray when we don't know how. Hymns and the other music of the Church are not meant for entertainment, but for our edification and growth in the faith. By making these explanations available, it is our sincere hope that you learn more about the hymns we sing and come to love and appreciate them more and more!
Pastor Beffrey began writing this series while serving his previous congregation in Cleveland and has continued on at Epiphany. The older set is written for the hymns as they are found in The Lutheran Hymnal, so those who are used to Lutheran Worship or Lutheran Service Book may not find a perfect match. The newer explanations are written for the hymns as they are found in Lutheran Service Book.
If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Beffrey.
Pastor Beffrey began writing this series while serving his previous congregation in Cleveland and has continued on at Epiphany. The older set is written for the hymns as they are found in The Lutheran Hymnal, so those who are used to Lutheran Worship or Lutheran Service Book may not find a perfect match. The newer explanations are written for the hymns as they are found in Lutheran Service Book.
If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Beffrey.
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing – The Venerable Bede
A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth – Paul Gerhardt
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – Martin Luther
All Glory, Laud, and Honor – Theodulph of Orleans
All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall – Lazarus Spengler
All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above – Johann Jakob Schütz
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus – William Chatterton Dix
An Awe-full Mystery Is Here – Matthias Loy
Awake, My Heart, with Gladness – Paul Gerhardt
Awake, Thou Spirit, Who Didst Fire – Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky
Before Thee, God, Who Knowest All – Magnus Brostrup Landstatc
Built on the Rock the Church Doth Stand - Nikolaj Frederik Severin Gruntwig
By All Your Saints in Warfare – Horation Nelson
By Grace I’m Saved – Christian Ludwig Scheidt
Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands – Martin Luther
Christ, the Life of All the Living - Ernst Christoph Homburg
Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia – Wipo of Burgundy
Christ, the Lord of Hosts, Unshaken – Peter M. Prange
Christians, Come in Sweetest Measures – Adam de Saint Victor
Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake – Johann Scheffler
Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord – Martin Luther
Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come – Johannes Olearius
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain – St. John of Damascus
Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People – Johannes Olearius
Day of Wrath, O Day of Mourning – Thomas de Celano
Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice – Martin Luther
Farewell, I Gladly Bid Thee – Valerius Herberger
For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest – William Walsham How
From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee – Martin Luther
Glory Be to Jesus – Alfonso Liguori
God the Father, Be Our Stay – Martin Luther
God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It – Erdmann Neumeister
Hail, Thou Once-Despised Jesus – John Bakewell
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding – Unknown
Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes – Philip Doddridge
He’s Risen! He’s Risen – C.F.W. Walther
Holy, Holy, Holy – Reginald Heber
Hosanna to the Living Lord – Reginald Heber
How Lovely Shines the Morning Star – Philipp Nicolai
I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb – Henriette Louise von Hayn
I Fall Asleep in Jesus’ Wounds – Paul Eber
I Know My Faith is Founded – Erdmann Neumeister
I Know of a Sleep in Jesus’ Name - Magnus Brostrup Landstad
I Trust, O Christ, in Thee Alone – Johannes Schneesing
If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee – Georg Neumark
In Peace and Joy I Now Depart – Martin Luther
In the Midst of Earthly Life – Martin Luther
Isaiah, Mighty Seer in Days of Old – Martin Luther
Jerusalem the Golden – Bernard of Morlaix
Jesus Christ is Risen Today; Alleluia! – Unknown
Jesus, Grant that Balm and Healing – Johann Heermann
Jesus, I Will Ponder Now – Sigismund von Birken
Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won - Christian Fürchtegott Gellert
Jesus, Priceless Treasure – Johann Franck
Jesus, Refuge of the Weary – Girolamo Savonarola
Jesus Sinners Doth Receive – Erdmann Neumeister
Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness - Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf
Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me – Paul Gerhardt
Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord – Heinrich Held
Like the Golden Sun Ascending – Thomas Hansen Kingo
Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now – William II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar
Lord Jesus Christ, My Life, My Light – Martin Behm
Lord Jesus Christ, With Us Abide – Philipp Melanchthon & Nikolaus Selnecker
Lord Jesus, Think On Me – Synesius of Cyrene
Lord Jesus, Who Art Come - Eberhard Ludwig Fischer
Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word – Martin Luther
Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation - Matthäus Appeles von Löwenstern
Lord, Open Thou My Heart to Hear – Johannes Olearius
Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart – Martin Schalling
Make Songs of Joy - Jiři Třanovský
May God Bestow on Us His Grace – Martin Luther
My Inmost Heart Now Raises – Georg Nigidius
My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker – Johann Gramann
Not All the Blood of Beasts – Isaac Watts
Now I Have Found the Firm Foundation – Johann Andreas Rothe
Now Let Us Come Before Him – Paul Gerhardt
Now Sing We, Now Rejoice - Unknown
O Blessed, Holy Trinity – Martin Behm
O Christ, Our True and Only Light – Johann Heermann
O Faithful God, Thanks Be to Thee – Nikolaus Selnecker
O God, Forsake Me Not – Salomo Franck
O God, Thou Faithful God – Johann Heermann
O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee – Paul Gerhardt
O Lord, We Praise Thee – Martin Luther
O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair – Sarum Breviary
O’er Jerusalem Thou Weepest – Anna Bernadine Dorothy Hoppe
Oh, Bless the Lord, My Soul – Isaac Watts
Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel - Unknown
Oh, Enter, Lord, Thy Temple – Paul Gerhardt
Oh, How Blest are Ye Whose Toils are Ended – Simon Dach
Oh, Rejoice Ye Christians, Loudly – Christian Keimann
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty – Joachim Neander
Praise to Thee and Adoration – Thomas Hansen Kingo
Preach You the Word – Martin Franzmann
Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing – Paul Gerhardt
Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers – Laurentius Laurenti
Rise Again, Ye Lion-Hearted - Unknown
Rise, Ye Children of Salvation – Justus Falckner
Salvation Unto Us Has Come – Paul Speratus
Savior of the Nations, Come – Ambrose of Milan/Martin Luther
Shepherd of Tender Youth – Clement of Alexandria
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise – Christopher Wordsworth
Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness – Johann Franck
Stars of the Morning, So Gloriously Bright – Joseph the Hymnographer
Sweet Flowerets of the Martyr Band – Aurelius Clemens Prudentius
The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us – Johann Walther
The Church’s One Foundation – Samuel J. Stone
The Day is Surely Drawing Near - Bartholomäus Ringwaldt
The Day of Resurrection – John of Damascus
The Gifts Christ Freely Gives – Richard Resch
The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns – Thomas Kelly
The Lord, My God, Be Praised – Johannes Olearius
The Star Proclaims the King is Here – Coelius Sedulius
The Tree of Life – Stephen P. Starke
Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower – Johann Scheffler
This Joyful Eastertide – George Ratcliffe Woodward
Through Jesus’ Blood and Merit – Simon Dach
Thy Strong Word – Martin Franzmann
Thy Table I Approach – Gerhard Walther Molanus
Thy Word, Not Mine, O Christ – Horatius Bonar
To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord – Martin Luther
To the Name of Our Salvation - Unknown
Veni, Creator Spiritus – Rabanus Maurus
Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying – Philipp Nicolai
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night – John Bowring
We Now Implore God, the Holy Ghost – Martin Luther
We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God – Stephen P. Starke
We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died – Thomas Kelly
When All the World Was Cursed – Johannes Olearius
When in the Hour of Utmost Need – Paul Eber
Who Trusts in God, a Strong Abode
Ye Sons of Men, Oh, Hearken – Valentin Thilo
Yea As I Live, Jehovah Saith – Nikolaus Herman
A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth – Paul Gerhardt
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – Martin Luther
All Glory, Laud, and Honor – Theodulph of Orleans
All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall – Lazarus Spengler
All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above – Johann Jakob Schütz
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus – William Chatterton Dix
An Awe-full Mystery Is Here – Matthias Loy
Awake, My Heart, with Gladness – Paul Gerhardt
Awake, Thou Spirit, Who Didst Fire – Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky
Before Thee, God, Who Knowest All – Magnus Brostrup Landstatc
Built on the Rock the Church Doth Stand - Nikolaj Frederik Severin Gruntwig
By All Your Saints in Warfare – Horation Nelson
By Grace I’m Saved – Christian Ludwig Scheidt
Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands – Martin Luther
Christ, the Life of All the Living - Ernst Christoph Homburg
Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia – Wipo of Burgundy
Christ, the Lord of Hosts, Unshaken – Peter M. Prange
Christians, Come in Sweetest Measures – Adam de Saint Victor
Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake – Johann Scheffler
Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord – Martin Luther
Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come – Johannes Olearius
Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain – St. John of Damascus
Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People – Johannes Olearius
Day of Wrath, O Day of Mourning – Thomas de Celano
Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice – Martin Luther
Farewell, I Gladly Bid Thee – Valerius Herberger
For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest – William Walsham How
From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee – Martin Luther
Glory Be to Jesus – Alfonso Liguori
God the Father, Be Our Stay – Martin Luther
God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It – Erdmann Neumeister
Hail, Thou Once-Despised Jesus – John Bakewell
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding – Unknown
Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes – Philip Doddridge
He’s Risen! He’s Risen – C.F.W. Walther
Holy, Holy, Holy – Reginald Heber
Hosanna to the Living Lord – Reginald Heber
How Lovely Shines the Morning Star – Philipp Nicolai
I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb – Henriette Louise von Hayn
I Fall Asleep in Jesus’ Wounds – Paul Eber
I Know My Faith is Founded – Erdmann Neumeister
I Know of a Sleep in Jesus’ Name - Magnus Brostrup Landstad
I Trust, O Christ, in Thee Alone – Johannes Schneesing
If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee – Georg Neumark
In Peace and Joy I Now Depart – Martin Luther
In the Midst of Earthly Life – Martin Luther
Isaiah, Mighty Seer in Days of Old – Martin Luther
Jerusalem the Golden – Bernard of Morlaix
Jesus Christ is Risen Today; Alleluia! – Unknown
Jesus, Grant that Balm and Healing – Johann Heermann
Jesus, I Will Ponder Now – Sigismund von Birken
Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won - Christian Fürchtegott Gellert
Jesus, Priceless Treasure – Johann Franck
Jesus, Refuge of the Weary – Girolamo Savonarola
Jesus Sinners Doth Receive – Erdmann Neumeister
Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness - Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf
Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me – Paul Gerhardt
Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord – Heinrich Held
Like the Golden Sun Ascending – Thomas Hansen Kingo
Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now – William II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar
Lord Jesus Christ, My Life, My Light – Martin Behm
Lord Jesus Christ, With Us Abide – Philipp Melanchthon & Nikolaus Selnecker
Lord Jesus, Think On Me – Synesius of Cyrene
Lord Jesus, Who Art Come - Eberhard Ludwig Fischer
Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word – Martin Luther
Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation - Matthäus Appeles von Löwenstern
Lord, Open Thou My Heart to Hear – Johannes Olearius
Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart – Martin Schalling
Make Songs of Joy - Jiři Třanovský
May God Bestow on Us His Grace – Martin Luther
My Inmost Heart Now Raises – Georg Nigidius
My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker – Johann Gramann
Not All the Blood of Beasts – Isaac Watts
Now I Have Found the Firm Foundation – Johann Andreas Rothe
Now Let Us Come Before Him – Paul Gerhardt
Now Sing We, Now Rejoice - Unknown
O Blessed, Holy Trinity – Martin Behm
O Christ, Our True and Only Light – Johann Heermann
O Faithful God, Thanks Be to Thee – Nikolaus Selnecker
O God, Forsake Me Not – Salomo Franck
O God, Thou Faithful God – Johann Heermann
O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee – Paul Gerhardt
O Lord, We Praise Thee – Martin Luther
O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair – Sarum Breviary
O’er Jerusalem Thou Weepest – Anna Bernadine Dorothy Hoppe
Oh, Bless the Lord, My Soul – Isaac Watts
Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel - Unknown
Oh, Enter, Lord, Thy Temple – Paul Gerhardt
Oh, How Blest are Ye Whose Toils are Ended – Simon Dach
Oh, Rejoice Ye Christians, Loudly – Christian Keimann
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty – Joachim Neander
Praise to Thee and Adoration – Thomas Hansen Kingo
Preach You the Word – Martin Franzmann
Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing – Paul Gerhardt
Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers – Laurentius Laurenti
Rise Again, Ye Lion-Hearted - Unknown
Rise, Ye Children of Salvation – Justus Falckner
Salvation Unto Us Has Come – Paul Speratus
Savior of the Nations, Come – Ambrose of Milan/Martin Luther
Shepherd of Tender Youth – Clement of Alexandria
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise – Christopher Wordsworth
Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness – Johann Franck
Stars of the Morning, So Gloriously Bright – Joseph the Hymnographer
Sweet Flowerets of the Martyr Band – Aurelius Clemens Prudentius
The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us – Johann Walther
The Church’s One Foundation – Samuel J. Stone
The Day is Surely Drawing Near - Bartholomäus Ringwaldt
The Day of Resurrection – John of Damascus
The Gifts Christ Freely Gives – Richard Resch
The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns – Thomas Kelly
The Lord, My God, Be Praised – Johannes Olearius
The Star Proclaims the King is Here – Coelius Sedulius
The Tree of Life – Stephen P. Starke
Thee Will I Love, My Strength, My Tower – Johann Scheffler
This Joyful Eastertide – George Ratcliffe Woodward
Through Jesus’ Blood and Merit – Simon Dach
Thy Strong Word – Martin Franzmann
Thy Table I Approach – Gerhard Walther Molanus
Thy Word, Not Mine, O Christ – Horatius Bonar
To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord – Martin Luther
To the Name of Our Salvation - Unknown
Veni, Creator Spiritus – Rabanus Maurus
Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying – Philipp Nicolai
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night – John Bowring
We Now Implore God, the Holy Ghost – Martin Luther
We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God – Stephen P. Starke
We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died – Thomas Kelly
When All the World Was Cursed – Johannes Olearius
When in the Hour of Utmost Need – Paul Eber
Who Trusts in God, a Strong Abode
Ye Sons of Men, Oh, Hearken – Valentin Thilo
Yea As I Live, Jehovah Saith – Nikolaus Herman