Johann Rist

1607-1667

Born: March 8, 1607, Ottensen, Holstein, Germany (near Hamburg). Died: August 31, 1667, Wedel, Germany.

Son of a pastor, Rist attended the Jo­hann­eum in Hamburg and the Gym­nas­i­um Ill­us­tre in Bremen, then matriculated at the University of Rinteln. Under the influence of Josua Stegman there, his interest in hymn writing began. On leaving Rinteln, he tutored the sons of a Hamburg merchant, accompanying them to the University of Rostock, where he himself studied Hebrew, mathematics, and medicine. During his time at Rostock, the Thirty Years War almost emptied the University, and Rist himself lay there for several weeks, suffering from pestilence. After his recovery, he seems to have spent some time at Hamburg. In 1633, he became tutor in the house of Land­schreib­er Heinrich Sager at Heide, in Holstein. There he married Elizabeth Stapfel, daughter of a judge, and spent the rest of his life. Emperor Ferdinand II crowned him as a poet in 1644, and in 1653 raised him to the nobility. Among other literary honors, Rist became a member of the Pegnitz Order in 1645, and the Fruitbearing Society in 1647. In 1660, he founded the Elbe Swan Order, though it did not survive his death.

Hymns:

1. Arise, the Kingdom Is at Hand
2. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
3. Du Lebensbrod, Herr Jesu Christ
4. Ehr und Dank sei dir gesungen
5. Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist
6. Gott sei gelobet, der allein
7. Heut ist dast rechte Jubelfest
8. Ich will den Herren loben
9. Jesu, der du meine Seele
10. O Jesu, meine Wonne
11. O Traurigkeit, o Herzeleid
    • O Darkest Woe
12. Werde licht, du Stadt der Heiden
13. Wie wohl hast du gelabet
    • O Living Bread from Heaven