David Behme (Hymn-Writer)

Born: April 2, 1605 - Bernstadt, Silesia, Germany
Died: February 9, 1657 - Bernstadt, Silesia, Germany

David Behme [David Böhme] was a German pastor and hymn writer. In 1630, he became, Court preacher to Duke Heinrich Wenzel of Münsterberg, and pastor of Vielguth near Bernstadt. In 1638 became pastor of his native town, preacher to the court of Oels, and consistory councilor. There he remained as a faithful and exemplary pastor till his death (Koch, iii. 56-57; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, ii. 284).

Mützell, 1858, includes six hymns under his name, Nos. 300-305. One has been translated into English: Herr nun lass in Friede as, "Lord, now let Thy servant," by Miss Winkworth (1858).

Works

In dem Leben hier auf Erden ist doch nichts als Eitelkeit
Herr, nun laß in Friede, lebenssatt und müde, deinen Diener fahren zu den Himmelsscharen selig und im stillen, doch nach deinem Willen (EKG 323)
Herr Jesu Christe, Gottes Sohn

Source: Hymnary.org Website; German Wikipedia Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (September 2018)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018)

Texts of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

BWV 337

Chorale Texts used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Herr, nun lass in Friede (1657/1663), after Nunc dimittis

Links to other Sites

David Behme (Hymnary.org)
David Behme (Wikipedia) [German]

Bibliography

Paul Pressel: Behme, David. In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Band 2, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1875, S. 284.
Friedrich Wilhelm Bautz: BEHME, David. In: Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL). Band 1, Bautz, Hamm 1975. 2., unveränderte Auflage Hamm 1990, ISBN 3-88309-013-1, Sp. 463–464.