Hymns and hymn writers from the Reformation

25 October 2017

This year sees the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses. The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology includes a number of entries on Reformation hymns and hymn writers - here are just a few:

Reformation hymnody  
A distinctive feature of the Reformation of the 16th century, as it developed in different ways across Europe, was the introduction of congregational hymnody...

Martin Luther  (1483-1546)
His hymns were published as a part of Luther’s liturgical reform, to encourage the German people to sing their faith. The first ones date from 1523... 

Genevan Psalter
Unlike Luther, Calvin was cautious about using hymns, because they were of human composition. Psalms, however, were seen as inspired by the Holy Spirit, hallowed and prized by their provenance in the Old Testament... 

Miles Coverdale  (1488 - 1569)
Coverdale produced some of the first translations of Lutheran psalms into English in Goostly psalmes and spirituall songes drawen out of the holy Scripture, for the comforte and consolacyon of soch as love to rejoyse in God and his worde