Hymns in Protestantism

Hymns have been a powerful tool in many Protestant reformations and religious revivals.


Communal singing, particularly of hymns in the vernacular to catchy tunes, encouraged a sense of unity within a congregation and suggested that all congregants, not just ordained clergy, could enjoy a closer relationship with God.


This section displays two rare Protestant hymnals from the Wesleyan and Lutheran movements.


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Lambeth Palace Library

John Wesley, A collection of psalms and hymns (London, 1738)


This volume is an extremely rare copy of John Wesley’s second published volume of Anglican-Methodist hymns; only one other copy is known to survive. Wesley’s first published volume, issued just one year prior, contains a completely different selection of hymns.


G312.W3 [**] p.58

Both the 1737 and 1738 volumes are compilation volumes of other authors’ texts rather than new compositions.


Bishop Thomas Ken’s 'An Evening Hymn' was first published in the 1695 revised edition of Ken’s Manual of Prayers.


G312.W3 [**] p.59

Martin Luther, Geystliche Lieder: Mit einer newen vorrede… (Leipzig, 1567)


Shown here is a 1567 edition of Martin Luther’s Geystliche Lieder (‘Sacred Songs’).


D325.L8 [**]

The first edition of this work was published in 1529 and Luther continued to revise the hymnal until his death in 1546.


D325.L8 [**]

This edition is the last of 10 published by Valentin Bapst in Leipzig between 1545 and 1567, beautifully presenting the hymns in the forms they had reached by Luther’s death alongside woodcut illustrations of biblical scenes.


D325.L8 [**]

Due to their heavy use, early Lutheran hymnals, especially those in good condition, are rare survivals.


D325.L8 [**]


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