Born: March 12, 1607, Gräfenhainichen
Died: May 27, 1676, Lübben (Spreewald)

After Luther, Paul Gerhardt is the greatest hymn-writer of the Lutheran Church. Born March 12, 1607, in Gräfenhainichen, near Wittenberg, he studied at the University of Wittenberg. He lived in Berlin as a candidate of theology from 1643 until 1651, during which time he was actively engaged in writing hymns. From 1651 until 1657 he served as Probst in Mittenwalde, and in 1657 he began serving as Deacon at the Nikolaikirche in Berlin. In 1667 he was removed from office on account of his steadfast Lutheran confession. From 1669 he served as Archdeacon at Lübben an der Spree, where he died May 27, 1676.

Hymns Available at the Free Lutheran Chorale-Book

• A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth (Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld)
• All My Heart This Night Rejoices (Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen)
• Awake, My Heart, with Gladness (Auf, auf, mein Herz, mit Freuden)
• Commit Whatever Grieves Thee (Befiehl du deine Wege)
• I Sing, O Lord, with Lips and Heart (Ich singe dir mit Herz und Mund)
• I Stand Before Thy Manger Fair (Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier)
• I Will Sing My Maker’s Praises (Sollt ich meinem Gott nicht singen)
• Now Let Us Come before Him (Nun laßt uns gehn und treten)
• Now Rest beneath Night’s Shadow (Nun ruhen alle Wälder)
• O Enter, Lord, Thy Temple (Zeuch ein zu deinen Toren)
• O Jesus Christ, My Paradise (O Jesu Christ, dein Kripplein ist)
• O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee (Wie soll ich dich empfangen)
• The Golden Morning (Die güldne Sonne)
• We Sing, Immanuel, Thy Praise (Wir singen dir, Immanuel)
• Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me (Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen)