Paul Gerhardt

Paul Gerhardt (portrait at Lübben)

Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676), portrait at the Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche in Lübben.


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