Matthäus Apelles von Löwenstern, son of a saddler, had musical and business ability which won him recognition and employment by the Duke of Münsterberg and the Emperors Ferdinand II and his son Ferdinand III. He wrote about 30 hymns and set them to melodies of his own composition. His hymn, named “Sapphic Ode. For Spiritual and Temporal Peace,” in 1644, is as follows:
Christe, du Beistand deiner Kreuzgemeine,
Eile, mit Hilf’ und Rettung uns erscheine;
Steure den Feinden, ihre Blutgerichte
Mache zunichte!
Streite doch selber für uns arme Kinder,
Wehre dem Teufel, seine Macht verhinder’;
Alles, was kämpfet wider deine Glieder,
Stürze danieder!
Frieden bei Kirch’ und Schulen uns beschere,