Benjamin Schmolck
1732– · Germany · Baroque
Benjamin Schmolck (1672-1737) was a German Lutheran pastor and prolific hymn writer who served congregations in Silesia throughout his career. He composed over 900 hymns that became influential in German Protestant worship, characterized by deep personal piety, theological substance, and emotional sincerity reflecting the Pietist movement of his era. His hymns were widely published and translated during his lifetime, contributing significantly to the development of German hymnody in the early modern period. Many of his compositions addressed themes of suffering, redemption, and devotion, resonating with both clergy and laity. Schmolck's extensive output and enduring popularity established him as one of the most important Lutheran hymn writers of the 17th-18th centuries.
Hymn Texts (4)
- Dearest Jesus, We Are Here
- My Jesus as Thou Wilt
- Oh, That You Would Rend the Heavens
- Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty