Tröste mich in aller Not!
A beautiful worship hymn, first published in the author’s Kirchen-Gefährte, 1732, in seven stanzas, entitled, “The First Step into the Church.” Its joyous spirit is characteristic of many of Schmolck’s poems.
Benjamin Schmolck, the most popular and prolific hymn writer of his time, was born in Silesia, and educated in the University of Leipzig. He was ordained to become his father’s assistant in the church at Brauchitzchdorf, his birthplace. Later he became the pastor of Friedenskirche at Schweidnitz, in Silesia, where he labored patiently for a period of 35 years, beloved of his people for his understanding and sympathy. He had rare poetic gifts and published a number of volumes of devotional books in which his hymns were included. His contemporary, Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750, greatest of all church musicians, helped to make the poems of Schmolck immortal.
Catherine Winkworth translated five stanzas of this hymn; three of which are used here.
For comments on Miss Winkworth see [Hymn 236].
MUSIC. NEANDER. For comments on this tune, and the composer, Joachim Neander, see [Hymn 127].
506. God reveals His presence
Gerhard Tersteegen, 1697-1769
Tr. Frederick W. Foster, 1760-1835
John Miller, 1756-1810