paraphrased by Christoph Behm Psalm 148
1605–1673 · Germany · Reformation
Christoph Behm (1605-1673) was a German Lutheran theologian and hymnwriter who made significant contributions to Reformed Lutheran hymnody during the 17th century. He served in various pastoral and academic roles throughout his career, using these positions to advance the development of German Protestant church music. Behm is known for his paraphrases of biblical texts, including a notable paraphrase of Psalm 148, which exemplified the Lutheran tradition of making Scripture accessible through vernacular hymn poetry. His hymn texts were widely adopted in German Lutheran congregations and contributed to the rich tradition of chorale development during this period. Behm's work represents an important bridge between biblical scholarship and popular devotional music in post-Reformation German Protestantism.