Where Thou art guiding?
Thomas Kingo (1634-1703).
KINGO, THE POET OF EASTER-TIDE
Denmark’s first great hymnist, Thomas Kingo, hailed from the land of Robert Burns. His grandfather, who also bore the name of Thomas, emigrated from Scotland to Denmark near the end of the 17th century to become a tapestry weaver for Christian IV.
The boy who was destined to become one of Denmark’s most famous spiritual bards was born in Slangerup, December 15, 1634. At the age of six years he entered the Latin school of his native city, and ten years later became a student of the school in Frederiksborg. The principal of this institution, Albert Bartholin, discovered unusual gifts in the lad and took him into his own home. After completing theological studies at the university, he returned in 1668 to his native city of Slangerup as Lutheran parish pastor.
About this time he began to attract attention as a writer of secular poetry. It was not until 1673, however, that his first collection of hymns appeared under the title, “Spiritual Songs, First Part.” The profound impression created by this production is evidenced by the fact that in 1677 he was elevated from an obscure parish to the bishopric of the diocese of Fyen.
Kingo had dedicated his “Spiritual Songs” to Christian V, and thus had attracted the attention of the Danish monarch. In his “address” to the king, Kingo deplored the fact that the Danish people in their worship had depended so largely upon hymns of foreign origin.
“The soul of the Danes,” he added significantly, “is not so bound and impoverished but that it can soar as high toward heaven as that of other peoples, even if it be not upborne by strange and foreign wings.”
The Second Part of his “Spiritual Songs” appeared in 1681, this collection being dedicated to the Danish queen. Many of Kingo’s hymns were written to be sung to popular folk melodies. In justification of this practice the poet wrote:
“If a pleasing melody set to a song of Sodom delights your ear, how much more, if you are a true child of God, should not that same melody delight your soul when sung to a song of Zion!”