Thomas H. Kingo
1634–1703 · Denmark · Reformation
Danish bishop of Funen and the greatest poet of Danish baroque hymnody, whose hymns came into American Lutheran use through the Norwegian and Danish churches.
Life
Thomas Hansen Kingo was born in 1634 at Slangerup near Copenhagen, the son of a weaver of Scottish descent (the name is a shortening of Kinghorn). He attended Frederiksborg Latin School from 1650 and studied theology at the University of Copenhagen (1654–58). After working as a tutor, he became chaplain at Kirke Helsinge and Drøsselbjerg in 1661, pastor in his home town of Slangerup in 1668, and in 1677 bishop of the Diocese of Funen, which he served until his death in 1703.
As a Hymn Writer
Kingo began with patriotic verse but turned almost entirely to hymns. His Aandelige Siunge-Koor (Spiritual Choir, first part 1674) set hymns for morning and evening, the days of the week and the Passion, and he was commissioned to prepare the hymnal authorised for Denmark and Norway (1699), which bears his name. His hymns combine baroque richness of imagery with plain Lutheran doctrine: Baptism, Communion, repentance and the believer's union with Christ. Through Scandinavian immigrants they entered American Lutheran hymnals, and The Lutheran Hymnal includes several in translation.
In The Lutheran Hymnal and Lutheran Service Book (7)
- On My Heart Imprint Thine Image
- Like the Golden Sun Ascending
- He that Believes and is Baptized
- O Jesus, Blessed Lord, to Thee
- Praise to Thee and Adoration
- The Sun Arises Now
- I Pray Thee, Dear Lord Jesus
Sources: Wikipedia, 'Thomas Kingo'.