Balthasar Münter

Münter (Muenter), Balthasar , born of Lorenz Münter, merchant in Lübeck, was born at Lübeck, March 24, 1735. He entered the University of Jena as a student of theology in 1754, graduated M.A. in 1757, and thereafter became lecturer and adjunct of the philosophical faculty. In 1760, Duke Friedrich III., of Gotha, appointed him assistant court preacher, and preacher at the Orphanage in Gotha, and then, in 1763, Superintendent at Tonna (Gräfen-Tonna) near Gotha. In 1765 he became first preacher at the German Church of St. Peter in Copen¬hagen, receiving, in 1767, the degree of d.d. from the University. He died at Copenhagen, Oct. 5, 1793 (Koch vi. 348; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie xxiii. 33, &c).

Münter was a very popular and influential preacher, a true pastor and teacher of practical Christianity, a successful religions instruptor of children, an active friend of the poor, a man of culture and one of the most prominent figures in the literary society of Copenhagen. His hymns, 100 in number, are among the best of the period, were highly esteemed by his contemporaries, and many still survive in German hymnals compiled before 1876 and still in use. They appeared in his two works: (1) Geistliche Lieder. Leipzig, 1772. (2) Zwote Sammlung Geistlicher Lieder . Leipzig, 1774. [Both in Royal Library, Berlin.] In 1773, the first 60 were republished at Leipzig set to melodies composed for them by the most famous musicians of the day; and the second 50 were republished at Leipzig in 1774 set to melodies composed for them by J. C. F. Bach, of Bückeburg.

Of Münter's hymns the following have passed into English:—

i. Seht welch' ein Mensch! Wie lag so schwer. Christ before Pilate . 1774, No. 6, p. 21, in 10 st. of 7 1. Included in full in the Schleswig Holstein Gesang-Buch 1780; and, reduced to 5 st., in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1829. Translated as :—
Behold the Man! How heavy lay. In full, by Dr. H. Mills, in his Horae Germanica, 1845 (1856, p. 307), repeated, abridged, in the American Lutheran General Synod's Collection , 1850, and the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880.
ii. Zitternd, doch voll sanfter Freuden. Holy Communion . 1772, No. 19, p. 67, in 9 st. of 8 1., entitled "Communion Hymn” In the Berlin Gesang-BuchFull of rev'rence at Thy Word, Lord, I near. In full from the text of 1780, as No. 271 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal , 1880.

Hymns not in English common use:—
iii. Ach, wann werd' ich von der Sünde. Christian Warfare . 1774, No. 35, p. 130, In 9 st. Translated as "Ah! when shall I be, from sinning." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 147).
iv. Der letzte meiner Tage. Prospect of Death . 1772, No. 21, p. 75, in 8 st. Translated as: "My day without a morrow." By N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 187.
v. Von Furcht dahingerissen. St. Peter's Denial . 1774, No. 8, p. 29, in 9 st., entitled "Prayer for Christians who feel themselves guilty of the sin of Peter." Translated as "Urged, Lord, by sinful terror." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 302).
vi. Wer ist der mit Himmelslichte. Easter. 1774, No. 44, p. 168, in 7 st. Translated as “Who is this with glory gleaming." By Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 320). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)