Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig
1783–1872 · Denmark · Classical
Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig (1783-1872) was a Danish Lutheran pastor, theologian, and prolific hymnwriter who composed over 1,400 hymns that fundamentally shaped Danish and Lutheran church music. His theological vision emphasized the living word and the importance of congregational participation in worship, which directly influenced his hymn-writing philosophy and style. Grundtvig's hymns are characterized by their theological depth, poetic beauty, and accessibility to ordinary worshippers, making complex doctrine singable and memorable. Beyond hymnody, he was a significant educator and cultural figure in Denmark, advocating for folk education and the preservation of Danish heritage. His legacy profoundly impacted Lutheran hymnody throughout Scandinavia and continues to influence contemporary Christian worship through numerous translations of his work into English and other languages.
Hymn Texts (50)
- Abide with Us the Day is Waning
- Brothers, Sisters, Let Us Gladly
- Every Morning Mercies New
- Glory Be to God the Father
- God's Word Is Our Great Heritage
- He Whom Shepherds Once Came Praising
- How Blessed is the Little Flock
- Lord God, to Thee We Give All Praise
- Lord Jesus Thou the Church's Head
- O Day Full of Grace
- Our Lord and God Oh Bless This Day
- The Day Full of Grace
- The Morning Sun is Brightly Beaming
- The Sun's Last Beam of Light is Gone
- This Day at Thy Creating Word
- To Shepherds as They Watched by Night
- Blessed Are the Sons of God
- O Day Full of Grace
- I Love as You Have Promised Lord
- Lord Jesus Christ My Life My Light
- Almighty Father, Bless the Word
- Awake Thou Spirit Who Didst Fire
- Behold the Sure Foundation-Stone
- Cantate Domino
- Eternal Son of God O Thou
- Faith and Truth and Life Bestowing
- Founded on Thee Our Only Lord
- From Eternity O God
- Hark the Church Proclaims Her Honor
- How Blest Are They Who Hear God's Word
- Lord Jesus Christ, the Church's Head
- My Course is Run, Praise God, My Course is Run
- Oh, How Blest Are They
- On What has Now Been Sown
- Seek Where Ye May to Find a Way
- The Man Is Ever Blest
- Thou Who the Night in Prayer Didst Spend
- You Are the Way; Through You Alone
- As We Begin Another Week
- Round Me Falls the Night
- Blessed Savior, Who hast Taught Me
- Jesus I Will Never Leave
- Jesus Savior Come to Me
- My Heart is Longing to Praise My Savior
- To Thee My Heart I Offer
- A Lamb alone bears willingly
- All Glory Be to God Alone
- All Hail to You O Blessed Morn
- As Angels Joyed with One Accord
- Blessed Be the God of Israel