Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl

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"Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl"
Hymn by Martin Luther
Enchiridion geistlicher Gesange 27.jpg
Der XIII. Psalm. "Dixit insipiens in cor., Erfurt Enchiridion, 1524
English"The mouth of fools doth God confess"
Textby Martin Luther
LanguageGerman
Published1524 (1524)
Der XIII. Psalm. "Dixit insipiens in cor.
, p. 2, Erfurt Enchiridion, 1524 Enchiridion geistlicher Gesange 28.jpg
Der XIII. Psalm. "Dixit insipiens in cor., p. 2, Erfurt Enchiridion, 1524

"Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl" ("The mouth of fools doth God confess") [1] is a Lutheran hymn of 1524, with words written by Martin Luther in 1523, paraphrasing Psalm 14. It was published as one of eight songs in 1524 in the first Lutheran hymnal, the Achtliederbuch. It was also published later that year in the Erfurt Enchiridion. It has appeared in many hymnals, both in German and in translation. The text inspired vocal and organ music by composers such as Johann Pachelbel.

Contents

History and text

At the end of 1523, Luther paraphrased Psalm 14 (Psalm 13 in Vulgata numbering), in Latin Dixit insipiens in cor, attempting to make the psalms accessible to Protestant church services in German. As he did with " Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein ", Luther expanded the content of the psalm to show the precise situation of the early Reformation as a time of conflict. [2] Luther wrote six stanzas of seven lines each. [3]

The hymn was one of the eight hymns in the first Lutheran hymnal, published 1524 in Nuremberg under the title Etlich Cristlich lider (Some Christian songs), also called Achtliederbuch, [4] which contained four songs by Luther, three by Speratus, and one by Justus Jonas. [4] Later that same year it appeared in Erfurt in Eyn Enchiridion , and in Wittenberg in Johann Walter's choral hymnal Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn [3] in a five-part setting. [5]

Melody and settings

In the Achtliederbuch, " Es ist das Heil uns kommen her ", by Paul Speratus, was indicated as the singing tune for "Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl". [6] [7] The hymn appeared with its own melody in the Walter hymnal: that melody, Zahn No.  4436, remained associated with it. [5] [8]

The hymn was set by composers for instruments and for voices. Johann Pachelbel composed three chorale preludes for organ as part of Erster Theil etlicher Choräle (Choräle zum praeambuliren) before 1693. Johann Sebastian Bach set the hymn in a four-part setting, BWV 308, [9] but without text. The text was added in the Neue Bach-Ausgabe. [10]

Translation

The hymn was translated to English as "The mouth of fools doth God confess" and appeared in R. Massie's M. Luther's Spiritual Songs in 1854. It was copied to other hymnals. Other, less common translations were published in the 19th century. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

This article presents lists of the literary events and publications in 1524.

Justus Jonas German Lutheran theologian (1493–1555)

Justus Jonas, the Elder, or simply Justus Jonas, was a German Lutheran theologian and reformer. He was a Jurist, Professor and Hymn writer. He is best known for his translations of the writings of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon. He accompanied Martin Luther in his final moments.

Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein

"Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein" is a Lutheran chorale of 1524, with words written by Martin Luther paraphrasing Psalm 12. It was published as one of eight songs in 1524 in the first Lutheran hymnal, the Achtliederbuch, which contained four songs by Luther, three by Speratus, and one by Justus Jonas. It was contained in 1524 in the Erfurt Enchiridion. It is part of many hymnals, also in translations. The text inspired vocal and organ music by composers such as Heinrich Schütz, who set it as part of his Becker Psalter, and Johann Sebastian Bach, who based a chorale cantata on it. Mozart used one of its tunes in his opera The Magic Flute.

Es ist das Heil uns kommen her

"Es ist das Heil uns kommen her" is a Lutheran hymn in 14 stanzas by Paul Speratus. It was first published as one of eight songs in 1524 in the first Lutheran hymnal, the Achtliederbuch, which contained four songs by Luther, three by Speratus, and one by Justus Jonas. The same year it appeared in Erfurt in Eyn Enchiridion. Its hymn tune, Zahn No. 4430, was already known in the 15th century.

"Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit" is a Lutheran hymn, with words written by Martin Luther based on the Psalm 124. The hymn in three stanzas of seven lines each was first published in 1524. It was translated to English and has appeared in 20 hymnals. The hymn formed the base of several compositions, including chorale cantatas by Buxtehude and Bach.

Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir 1524 Lutheran hymn

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Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland Song by Martin Luther

"Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland" is a Lutheran chorale of 1524 with words written by Martin Luther, based on "Veni redemptor gentium" by Ambrose, and a melody, Zahn 1174, based on its plainchant. It was printed in the Erfurt Enchiridion of 1524.

Paul Speratus

Paul Speratus was a Swabian Catholic priest who became a Protestant preacher, reformer and hymn-writer. In 1523, he helped Martin Luther to create the First Lutheran hymnal, published in 1524 and called Achtliederbuch.

First Lutheran hymnal

The First Lutheran hymnal, published in 1524 as Etlich Cristlich lider / Lobgesang und Psalm, often also often referred to as the Achtliederbuch, was the first Lutheran hymnal.

There are 52 chorale cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach surviving in at least one complete version. Around 40 of these were composed during his second year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, which started after Trinity Sunday 4 June 1724, and form the backbone of his chorale cantata cycle. The eldest known cantata by Bach, an early version of Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4, presumably written in 1707, was a chorale cantata. The last chorale cantata he wrote in his second year in Leipzig was Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1, first performed on Palm Sunday, 25 March 1725. In the ten years after that he wrote at least a dozen further chorale cantatas and other cantatas that were added to his chorale cantata cycle.

Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält 1524 Lutheran hymn

"Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält" is a Lutheran hymn by Justus Jonas, a paraphrase of Psalm 124 in eight stanzas. It was first published in 1524 in the Erfurt Enchiridion. The theme of the psalm is the need of help against raging enemies. It has been translated also as "Where the Lord God does not stand (stay) with us", "If God the Lord is not with us", "If God the Lord is not on our side", among others.

Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn Protestant hymn

"Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn" is a Lutheran hymn by Elisabeth Cruciger. Printed in 1524 in the Erfurt Enchiridion, together with 18 hymns by Martin Luther, it is one of the oldest Lutheran hymns. The text combines Lutheran teaching with medieval mysticism. It has been the basis of musical settings such as Bach's chorale cantata Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn, BWV 96.

Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott

"Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott" is a Lutheran hymn for Pentecost, with words written by Martin Luther based on "Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium". The hymn in three stanzas was first published in 1524. For centuries the chorale has been the prominent hymn (Hauptlied) for Pentecost in German-speaking Lutheranism. Johann Sebastian Bach used it in several chorale preludes, cantatas and his motet Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226.

Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin

"Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin" is a hymn by Martin Luther, a paraphrase in German of the Nunc dimittis, the canticle of Simeon. Luther wrote the text and melody, Zahn No. 3986, in 1524 and it was first published in the same year. Originally a song for Purification, it has been used for funerals. Luther included it in 1542 in Christliche Geseng ... zum Begrebniss.

<i>Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn</i>

Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn, sometimes called First Wittenberg Hymnal and Chorgesangbuch, was the first German hymnal for choir, published in Wittenberg in 1524 by Johann Walter who collaborated with Martin Luther. It contains 32 sacred songs, including 24 by Luther, in settings by Walter for three to five parts with the melody in the tenor. Luther wrote a preface for the part books. The collection has been called the root of all Protestant song music.

Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gmein

"Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein" is a Lutheran hymn, written in 1523 by Martin Luther. One of his early hymns, it was published as one of eight songs in 1524 in the first Lutheran hymnal, the Achtliederbuch, which contained four songs by Luther, three by Speratus, and one by Justus Jonas. It appeared also in 1524 in the Erfurt Enchiridion.

Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist

"Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist" is a Lutheran hymn for Pentecost, with words written by Martin Luther based on the Latin "Veni Creator Spiritus". The hymn in seven stanzas was first published in 1524. Its hymn tunes are Zahn No. 294, derived from the chant of the Latin hymn, and Zahn No. 295, a later transformation of that melody. The number in the current Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch (EG) is 126.

Lutheran hymn Christian hymn used in Lutheran services

Martin Luther was a great enthusiast for music, and this is why it forms a large part of Lutheran services; in particular, Luther admired the composers Josquin des Prez and Ludwig Senfl and wanted singing in the church to move away from the ars perfecta and towards singing as a Gemeinschaft (community). Lutheran hymns are sometimes known as chorales. Lutheran hymnody is well known for its doctrinal, didactic, and musical richness. Most Lutheran churches are active musically with choirs, handbell choirs, children's choirs, and occasionally change ringing groups that ring bells in a bell tower. Johann Sebastian Bach, a devout Lutheran, composed music for the Lutheran church: more than half of his over 1000 compositions are or contain Lutheran hymns.

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"Es woll uns Gott genädig sein" is a Lutheran hymn, with words written by Martin Luther based on the Psalm 67. The hymn in three stanzas of nine lines each was first published in Wittenberg in 1524. Its best known hymn tune, Zahn No. 7247, was published in Strasbourg in 1524. Heinrich Schütz and Johann Sebastian Bach wrote settings of the hymn. It was translated to English and has appeared in dozens of hymnals.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl". hymnary.org. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  2. Hofreiter, Paul (1995). "Johann Sebastian Bach and Scripture / O God, from Heaven Look Down" (PDF). Concordia Theological Quarterly. 59 (2). Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl" (PDF) (in German). Luther-Gesellschaft. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Etlich christliche Lieder (Achtliederbuch) – 1523" (in Dutch). luther.wursten.be. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  5. 1 2 Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl (Walter, Johann): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  6. Crist, Stephen A. (2007). "Early Lutheran Hymnals and Other Musical Sources in the Kessler Reformation Collection". Emory University. pp. 503–528.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  7. "Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (I) / Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (II)". hymnary.org. 2006. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  8. Zahn, Johannes (1890). Die Melodien der deutschen evangelischen Kirchenlieder (in German). Vol. III. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann. p.  73.
  9. "Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl BWV 308; BC F 62.1 / Chorale". Bach Digital . Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  10. "BWV 308". www.bach-chorales.com. Retrieved 13 October 2017.