Du meine Seele singe

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"Du meine Seele singe"
German hymn by Paul Gerhardt
Geistliche-Andachten-1667.jpg
The title page of the first publication in 1667
EnglishYou my soul sing
Textby Paul Gerhardt
LanguageGerman
Based on Psalm 146
Meter7 6 7 6
Melodyby Johann Georg Ebeling
Composed1666 (1666)

"Du meine Seele singe" (You my soul sing) is a hymn in German by Paul Gerhardt, a paraphrase of Psalm 146. Johann Georg Ebeling wrote the well-known melody in 1666. The song in 10 stanzas was first published in 1667 in the collection Pauli GerhardiGeistliche-Andachten (Spiritual devotions by Paul Gerhardt) of songs by Gerhardt. It is No. 302 in the current Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch .

Contents

History and text

Paul Gerhardt wrote the hymn as a paraphrase of Psalm 146, in 1653, five years after the end of the Thirty Years War, when he was a minister in Mittenwalde, south of Berlin. [1] Johann Georg Ebeling, a church musician at the Nikolaikirche, [1] wrote the well-known melody in 1666. [2] The song in 10 stanzas with eight regular lines each was first published in 1667 in the collection Geistliche-Andachten (Spiritual devotions) of songs by Gerhardt. [2] It is, shortened to eight stanzas, No. 302 in the current Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch . [3] [4]

The first stanza, expressing the request to the own soul to sing beautifully praising the creator for life, corresponds to verses 1 and 2 of the psalm (Psalms146:1–2). Stanzas 2 and 3 are not part of the current Protestant hymnal. The fourth stanza, about trust in the God of Jacob as the highest treasure, granting eternal content ("ewig unbetrübt"), corresponds to verses 5 and 6 (Psalms146:5–6). Stanzas five to seven expand the good things God does, namely protecting those who suffer violence, feeding the hungry and setting prisoners free, corresponding to verse 7 (Psalms146:7). Stanzas eight and nine mention the light for the blind and comforter of the weak, strangers, orphans and widows as in verses 8 and 9 (Psalms146:8–9). The last stanza, corresponding to verse 10 (Psalms146:10), compares the singer to a wilted flower, who will not cease to add to the praise of God. [1] [3]

Tune and settings

The tune (in B♭-major or C major) begins with a rising broken chord, reaching the tenth on the fifth note, which has been called a "rocket" motif. [2] It follows the structure of the bar form. [3] For the last two lines, the melody is similar in shape to the first two lines, again rising to the highest note in five steps and holding it for two beats. In the first stanza this accents the term "being" in "My heart and whole being" ("Mein Herz und ganzes Wesen"). [4]

Other hymns on the same melody include "Lift up your hearts, ye people", "We stand united with you" and "Give thanks to God, the Father". [2]

Related Research Articles

Psalm 146 Psalm

Psalm 146 is the 146th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version, "Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul." The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and in its Latin translation in the Vulgate/Vulgata Clementina, this psalm is 145 in a slightly different numbering system. In Latin, Psalm 146 is known as "Lauda anima mea Dominum".

Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten

"Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten" is a 1641 hymn by Georg Neumark, who also composed the melody for it. It has seven verses and deals with the Christian putting their trust in God. Its author referred to it as a "Trostlied" or song of consolation and it first appeared in his Fortgepflantzer musikalisch-poetischer Lustwald. It also appeared in Johann Crüger's 1672 Praxis pietatis melica and in the first part of Johann Anastasius Freylinghausen's 1704 Geistreiches Gesangbuch. It has inspired musical settings, and is part of current German hymnals, both Protestant and Catholic.

Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud Summer hymn

"Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud" is a summer hymn with a text in German by theologian Paul Gerhardt written in 1653. It was first published that same year in the fifth edition of Johann Crüger's hymnal Praxis Pietatis Melica. It was sung to several melodies, the most popular one composed by August Harder, and later became a Volkslied in an abridged version.

Johann Georg Ebeling

Johann Georg Ebeling was a German composer who was born in Lüneburg and died in Stettin. Ebeling is known as editor and composer of hymns by Paul Gerhardt. He published in 1667 120 songs by Gerhardt, adding new melodies to many, writing the first melody for 26 of them, including "Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne" and "Du meine Seele singe". Several of his cantatas are extant.

"Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen" is a Lutheran hymn with a text by Paul Gerhardt written in 1653. It was first published that same year in the fifth edition of Johann Crüger's hymnal Praxis Pietatis Melica, set to a melody composed by Crüger. In the 1993 Protestant hymnal, Evangelisches Gesangbuch, it appears as number 370 with a melody composed by Johann Georg Ebeling, which was published with the divergent title "Warum sollt ich mich doch grämen" in Pauli Gerhardi Geistliche Andachten in 1666.

Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele Lutheran hymn by Johann Crüger with lyrics by Johann Franck

"Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" is a Lutheran hymn in German, with lyrics by Johann Franck and a hymn tune by Johann Crüger. It was first published in Crüger's 1649 Geistliche Kirchen-Melodien, and was later adopted in other hymnals, such as the 1653 edition of his Praxis pietatis melica.

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr

"Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr" is an early Lutheran hymn, with text and melody attributed to Nikolaus Decius. With the reformers intending church service in German, it was intended as a German version of the Gloria part of the Latin mass, used in almost every service. Decius wrote three stanzas, probably in 1523, while a fourth was added, probably by Joachim Slüter.

In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr

"In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr" is a Lutheran hymn in seven stanzas, written by Adam Reusner and first published in 1533. He paraphrased the beginning of Psalm 31. It was first sung to the melody of a Passion hymn. The melody connected with the hymn in 1560 was derived from models dating back to the 14th century. A third melody from 1608 became a hymn tune for several other songs and translations to English. In the German Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch, the hymn appears as EG 257 with the second melody. Johann Sebastian Bach used the second and third melodies in chorale preludes, and the third also in cantatas and the St Matthew Passion.

Was mein Gott will, das gscheh allzeit 16th century German Lutheran hymn

"Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit" is a Lutheran hymn in German. The text from c. 1550 is attributed to Albert, Duke of Prussia. The melody, Zahn No. 7568, goes back to a tune by Claudin de Sermisy, written in 1529 for a secular French song. The hymn has belonged to core Lutheran hymnody without interruption and is part of the Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch as EG 364.

Nun danket all und bringet Ehr Christian hymn by Paul Gerhardt

"Nun danket all und bringet Ehr" is a German Lutheran hymn in nine stanzas, with a text written by Paul Gerhardt. It was first published in 1647, in Johann Crüger's Praxis pietatis melica which was the first publication of hymns by Gerhardt. In the 1653 edition, Crüger added a melody that he composed. As a general song of thanks, the song has appeared in several hymnals, including the German Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch and the Catholic hymnal Gotteslob. It has inspired musical settings by composers from the 17th to the 21st century. Johann Sebastian Bach used the first stanza in a cantata, however with the melody of "Lobt Gott, ihr Christen alle gleich", Hugo Distler composed a chorale cantata, and Günter Berger based a toccata for organ on it.

Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen

"Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen" is a Christian Christmas hymn by Paul Gerhardt, originally in 15 stanzas in artful metre. It was first published, "Frölich sol mein hertze springen", in 1653 in the fifth edition of the hymnal Praxis Pietatis Melica by Johann Crüger, who also created a melody. Johann Sebastian Bach used it as a chorale in his Christmas Oratorio, with a different melody by Johann Georg Ebeling. The song is part, with twelve stanzas, of the current Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch and other songbooks.

Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne Lutheran hymn by Paul Gerhardt

"Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne" is a Lutheran hymn by Paul Gerhardt. It is a morning hymn which was first published in 1666, with a four-part setting by Johann Georg Ebeling. Gerhardt created an unusual hymn metre for its 12 stanzas.

Ich will dich lieben, meine Stärke

"Ich will dich lieben, meine Stärke" is a sacred poem by Johann Scheffler who is known by his pen name Angelus Silesius. It appeared first in a poem collection, Heilige Seelen-Lust in 1657, and has become a Christian song in notable hymnals of different denominations, with different melodies.

"Auf meinen lieben Gott" is a Lutheran hymn from the 17th century. Several hymns are sung to the same hymn tune, including "Wo soll ich fliehen hin", and it was set in compositions. The hymn was translated into English as "In God, My Faithful God". It is part of modern hymnals and songbooks.

"Wie soll ich dich empfangen" is a Christian hymn for Advent by Paul Gerhardt. It was first published in 1653 in the fifth edition of the hymnal Praxis Pietatis Melica by Johann Crüger, who also created a melody. Johann Sebastian Bach used it as a chorale in his Christmas Oratorio, but with a different melody. Catherine Winkworth translated five of its ten stanzas.

Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier

"Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier" is a German Christmas hymn, with lyrics by Paul Gerhardt which were first published in 1653. It was then sung with an older melody by Martin Luther, but a melody which was likely created by Johann Sebastian Bach for Schemellis Gesangbuch of 1736 is now part of current Protestant and Catholic hymnals.

"Nun jauchzt dem Herren, alle Welt" is a German Christian hymn, a paraphrase of Psalm 100. The text was written by David Denicke, based on a metered paraphrase of the psalm from the Becker Psalter, and published in his 1646 hymnal. The song appears in modern German-language hymnals, such as the Protestant Evangelisches Gesangbuch and the Catholic Gotteslob. With a joyful melody derived from a 14th-century model, it is one of the most popular psalm songs in German.

"Mein ganzes Herz erhebet dich" is the beginning of German hymns to a melody from the 16th century, which paraphrase Psalm 138. They are part of Protestant and Catholic hymnals.

Dein Lob, Herr, ruft der Himmel aus German Catholic hymn

"Dein Lob, Herr, ruft der Himmel aus" is a German Catholic hymn. Adolf Lohmann adapted a 1659 hymn by the Jesuit astronomer Albert Curtz, who paraphrased Psalm 19. The melody appeared in Augsburg in 1669. It was No. 1 in the 1938 hymnal Kirchenlied and is part of the German Catholic hymnal Gotteslob as GL 381.

Nun lasst uns gehn und treten 1653 Lutheran hymn by Paul Gerhardt

"Nun lasst uns gehn und treten" is a Lutheran hymn for New Year's Day by Paul Gerhardt. It appeared first in 1653 in Praxis Pietatis Melica. It is sung to the melody of "Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren".

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ehrlich, Hans-Peter. "Predigtreihe: Paul Gerhardt, 2007 / Du meine Seele singe (EG 302), verfasst von Hans-Peter Ehrlich" (in German). Göttingen University. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Du meine Seele singe". hymnary.org. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Du, meine Seele, singe". Paul Gerhardt 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Du meine Seele singe" (PDF). kantoreiarchiv.de. Retrieved 12 June 2015.