Paul Gerhardt

Paulus or Paul Gerhardt (12 March 1607 – 27 May 1676) was a German theologian, Lutheran pastor and hymnodist, considered Germany's greatest hymn writer. His songs and hymns were published in contemporary hymnals such as Praxis pietatis melica, and are still part of modern hymnals. Hymn stanzas by him feature prominently in Bach's Passions and the Christmas Oratorio.

Biography Gerhardt was born into a middle-class family at Gräfenhainichen, a small town between Halle and Wittenberg. His father died in 1619, his mother in 1621. At the age of fifteen, he entered the Fürstenschule in Grimma. The school was known for its pious atmosphere and stern discipline. The school almost closed in 1626 when the plague came to Grimma, but Paul remained and graduated from there in 1627. In January 1628 he enrolled in the University of Wittenberg. There, two teachers in particular had an influence on him: Paul Röber and Jacob Martini. Both of these men were staunch Lutherans, promoting its teachings not only in the classroom but in sermons and hymns. Röber in particular often took his sermon texts from hymns. In this way Gerhardt was taught the use of hymnody as a tool of pastoral care and instruction.

Gerhardt graduated from the University of Wittenberg around 1642. Due to the troubles of the Thirty Years' War it seems he was not immediately placed as a pastor, and thus moved to Berlin where he worked as tutor in the family of an advocate named Andreas Barthold. Tune Season German hymnal numbers Use in compositions "Auf, auf, mein Herz, mit Freuden" Awake, My Heart, with Gladness Zahn No. 2543 "Auf, auf, mein Herz" — (Crüger, Praxis pietatis melica 1648) Easter EG 112 BWV 441 "Barmherzger Vater, höchster Gott" BWV 103 "Befiehl du deine Wege" Commit Whatever Grieves Thee (also, Give to the Winds Thy Fears) Psalm 37, Psalm 125:1, Philippians 4:6–7, 1 Peter 5:6–7 Herzlich tut mich EG 361 BWV 244, BWV 153 "Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne" morning song EG 449 "Du meine Seele singe" EG 302 "Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld" A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth Isaiah 53:1–12, Exodus 12:5, John 1:29 An Wasserflüssen Babylon Passion EG 83 Set to music by several composers "Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen" Christmas EG 36 BWV 248 "Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud" Go Forth, My Heart, and Seek Delight EG 503 summer song "Gott Vater, sende deinen Geist" sung to the melody of (Zahn 2496c): BWV 74, BWV 108 "Herr, mein Hirt, Brunn aller Freuden" BWV 228 "" chorale cantata BWV 92, BWV 65 "Ich singe dir mit Herz und Mund" Rejoice My Heart, Be Glad and Sing EG 324 "Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier" Christmas EG 37 BWV 248 "" "If Jesus be my friend" EG 351 "" Christmas EG 39 "Lobet den Herren alle, die ihn ehren EG 447br /> GL 81 "Nun danket all und bringet Ehr" All Ye Who on This Earth Do Dwell EG 322 GL 267 "Nun lasst uns gehn und treten New Year EG 58 "" evening song EG 477GL 101 BWV 392 "" O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Psalm 22:6–8, Isaiah 53:4–5, John 10:14–15, 27–28, Hebrews 12:2 Herzlich tut mich Passion EG 85, GL 179 BWV 244, BWV 159 "O Jesu Christ, dein Kripplein ist" O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is O Jesu Christ, Dein kripplein ist Christmas "O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben" Upon the Cross Extended Isaiah 53, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 2:21–25 O Welt, sieh hier Passion EG 84 BWV 244, BWV 245 "Schaut, schaut, was ist für Wunder dar" BWV 248 II "Schwing dich auf zu deinem Gott" BWV 40 "Sollt ich meinem Gott nicht singen?" I Will Sing My Maker's Praises Ephesians 5:19–20 Sollt ich meinem Gott nicht singen EG 325 "Wach auf, mein Herz, und singe Wake up, my heart, and sing EG 446 "Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen" Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me 1 Peter 1:6–9, James 1:2–4, 1 Peter 4:12, Matthew 11:29–30 Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen EG 370 "Was alle Weisheit in der Welt" BWV 176 "Weg, mein Herz, mit den Gedanken" BWV 32 "Wie soll ich dich empfangen" O How Shall I Receive Thee Advent EG 11 BWV 248 "Wir singen dir, Immanuel" BWV 248 II "Zeuch ein zu deinen Toren" Pentecost EG 133 BWV 183