Martin Behm
1557–1622 · Germany · Reformation
Lutheran pastor of Lauban in Upper Lusatia, author of some 480 hymns, among them 'O Jesus, King of Glory' and 'Lord Jesus Christ, My Life, My Light'.
Life
Martin Behm was born in 1557 at Lauban (now Lubań, Poland) in Upper Lusatia. He served the town's Holy Trinity Church as deacon and later as chief pastor until his death in 1622.
As a Hymn Writer
Behm wrote around 480 hymns. Carl Schalk counts him among the poets at the close of the early Lutheran period who wrote 'in a truly popular vein' hymns of objectivity and childlike simplicity. His deathbed hymn 'O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht' was set by Bach. His hymns are plain, warm and full of the comfort of Christ's Passion for the dying and the troubled.
In The Lutheran Hymnal and Lutheran Service Book (3)
- O Jesus, King of Glory
- Lord Jesus Christ, My Life, My Light
- O Blessed Holy Trinity
Sources: Wikipedia, 'Martin Behm'.
Hymn Texts (50)
- Isaiah in a Vision Did of Old
- O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild
- Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit
- Before Thee God Who Knowest All
- Come Oh Come O Quickening Spirit
- Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee
- God Brought Me to this Time and Place
- Grant Holy Ghost that We Behold
- Here in Thy Name Eternal God
- How Can I Thank Thee Lord
- I Am Content! My Jesus Lives Again
- I Pray You Dear Lord Jesus
- In God, My Faithful God
- In You Lord I have Put My Trust
- Let All Together Praise Our God
- Lo God to Heaven Ascendeth
- My Maker Now be Nigh
- Now Lay We Calmly in the Grave
- Now Let All Loudly Sing Praise
- Now Let Us Come Before Him
- O Blessed Day When First was Poured
- O Jesus Christ May Grateful Hymns be Rising
- O Lord Our Father Thanks and Praise
- O Lord Our Father Thanks to Thee
- O People Rise and Labor
- Out of the Deep I Call
- Rise Again Ye Lion-Hearted
- To Thee, Our God, We Fly
- What Is the World to Me
- When Afflictions Sore Oppress You
- When Israel Through the Desert Passed
- When My Last Hour Is Close at Hand
- When o'er My Sins I Sorrow
- You Will I Love My Strength
- Your Heart, O God, is Grieved
- In the Very Midst of Life
- Alas My God My Sins Are Great
- All My Heart Sings and Rejoices
- All My Heart This Night Rejoices
- Awake, My Heart, with Gladness
- Away from Us! the Demon Cried
- Be Not Dismayed Thou Little Flock
- Bow Down Your Ear Almighty Lord
- Christians Sing Out with Exultation
- Cold December Flies Away
- Come O Come Thou Quickening Spirit
- Come Oh Come Thou Quickening Spirit
- Dear Lord to Thy True Servants Give
- Fear and Love Thy God and Lord
- From God can Nothing Move Me