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Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Lutheran Hymnbooks in America

A CHECKLIST OF MAJOR TITLES

Those in bold face indicate those books used most extensively and for the greatest periods of time and which had actual ecclesiastical authorization or its equivalent.

Note: Linked pdf files require Adobe Acrobat 6 or higher.

COLONIAL PERIOD: HYMNBOOKS PUBLISHED IN EUROPE

Early immigrant congregations generally used hymnbooks that they brought with them from their homelands or imported to America. Among the most common were:

Swedish

  • Den Uppsala Psalmboken of 1622.

  • Den Svenska Psalmboken of Jesper Swedberg of 1694. Trial edition, never officially authorized or used in Sweden.

German

  • Marburger Gesangbuch, first ed., 1549. Many later editions successively enlarged and revised, culminating in 1747 "vollstaendiges" edition.

  • Geistliches Liederkaestlein ("The Wuerttemberg Gesangbuch"), Philipp Friedrich Hiller, comp., Stuttgart, 1762.

  • Geistreiches Gesanqbuch and Neues Geistreiches Gesanqbuch, ("The Freylinghausen Gesangbuch" or the "Halle Hymnbook"), combined by G.A. Francke into one book, Halle: The Orphan House, 1741.

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA AND ITS PREDECESSORS: HYMNBOOKS PUBLISHED IN AMERICA

German

  • Marburger Gesangbuch (American editions), 1st ed. Germantown, Pa.: Christopher Saur, 1759. Many later editions, some with other pub­lishers.

  • Erbauliche Lieder-Sammlung zum Gottesdienstlichen Gebrauch . . (Authorized by the Ev. Lutheran Pennsylvania Ministerium; Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, comp.; commonly called "The Muhlenberg Hymnal"), 1st ed. Germantown, Pa.: Michael Billmeyer, 1786. Many later editions with supplements and revisions, some with other publishers.

  • Das Gemeinschaftliche Gesangbuch (for the use of Lutheran and Reformed congregations in North America). Baltimore, Md.: Schaeffer and Maund, 1817. Many later editions and publishers.

  • Evangelische Lieder-Sammlung. Gettysburg, Pa.: L. Johnson, 1834. Many later editions with various publishers.

  • Deutsches Gesangbuch . . . Authorized by the General Synod. Baltimore: Wollenweber, 1849. Many later editions.

  • Kirchenbuch für Gemeinde der Evangelische Lutherischen Kirche. (Intended for use by General Synod congregations; G.U. Wenner, comp.). New York: J.G. Stohlmann, 1875

  • Kirchenbuch für Evangelisch-Lutherische Gemeinden in North America. Published by the General Council. 1st ed. Philadelphia: J.L. Fike, 1877. Many later editions and publishers, most recently the United Lutheran Church Publishing House; still used by German-speaking congregations. Liturgy, 1911 ed. (765KB pdf).

    •  Swedish

    • Den Svenska Psalmboken of 1819 (Thomander and Wieselgren revision). 1st American ed. Chicago: Swedish Publication Society, 1871. Many later editions and printings by Engberg-Holmberg Publishing Co., Chicago; and Augustana Book Concern, Rock Island, Ill.

  • Hemlandssaanger (songs for informal services). Rock Island: Augustana Book Concern, 1892. (Preceded by many unofficial versions bearing the same title, published by Engberg-Holmberg, Chicago.)

    •  English

    • Psalmodia Germanica (American edition). New York: H. Gaine, 1756.

    • Hymn and Prayer Book, for such Lutherans as use the English language. J.C. Kunze, comp. New York: Hurtin and Commardinger, 1795.

    • A Collection of Evangelical Hymns from different authors and collections of the English Lutheran Church in New York. Geo. Strebeck, comp. New York: Tiebout, 1797.

    • A Choice Selection of Evangelical Hymns from various authors for the use of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church in New York. Ralph Williston, comp. New York: Totten, 1806.

    • Church Hymnbook, consisting of hymns and psalms original and selected. Authorized by the Tennessee Synod. Paul Henkel, comp. and author. Newmarket, Va.: Henkel Press, 1815; 2nd ed., revised and enlarged, 1833; 3rd ed., 1850; 4th ed., 1857. Many later editions, all revised and/or enlarged.

    • Hymns Selected and Original for public and private worship. Authorized by the General Synod of the Lutheran Church. Gettysburg, Pa., 1828. Many later editions, most of them revised and expanded; at least 69 editions had been issued by 1856, and this hymnal was used by more than half of all English-speaking Lutherans in America. Hymns 1-126 (7.41MB PDF).

    • A Collection of Hymns and a Liturgy for the use of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. Authorized by the New York Lutheran Ministerium. (Commonly called "The New York Hymnbook") New York: Henry Ludwig, 1844.

    • Church Book for the use of Evangelical Lutheran congregations. Authorized by the General Council of the Lutheran Church in North America. Philadelphia: Lutheran Book Store, 1868. Music edition (with music selected and arranged by Harriet Reynolds Krauth) Philadelphia: Lutheran Book Store, 1872; 2nd ed., 1884; 3rd ed., revised and enlarged, J.K. Schyrock, 1893. Liturgy, 1897 (571KB pdf).

    • Sunday School Book. Philadelphia: General Council Publishing Board, 1873. Revised and enlarged ed. with music, 1896. Many later editions.

    • Book of Worship with hymns. Authorized by the General Synod of the Lutheran Church. Baltimore: T.N. Kurtz, 1871. With tunes, Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, ca. 1899. Many later editions. Liturgy, 1872 (152KB pdf). Liturgy with tunes, 1880 (1457KB pdf).

    • Hymns for Sunday Schools. General Synod. Philadelphia: Lutheran Board of Publication, 1860. Many later editions.

    • Sunday School Book. General Council of the Lutheran Church. General Council Publishing Board, 1871. Many later editions. Music edition, 1896.

    • Service and Hymns for Sunday Schools. Published for the General Synod of the Lutheran Church. Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, 1883.

    • The Book of Worship. Published by authority of the United Synod of the Lutheran Church in the South. Columbia, S.C.: W.J. Duffie, 1888.

    • Hymnal and Order of Service. Authorized by the Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. Rock Island, Ill.: Augustana Book Concern, 1899. Music edition, 1901.

    • Hymnal for the Sunday School. E.C. Cronk, comp. Published for the United Synod of the Lutheran Church in the South. Philadelphia: Lutheran Board of Publication, 1910. Later editions 1915 and 1922.

    • School and Parish Hymnal and Service Book. J.F. Ohl, comp. and ed. Philadelphia: General Council Publishing House, 1913. With music.

    • Hymns and Songs for the Sunday School. Harold Leward, comp. and ed. Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, 1914. With music.

    • Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church. First edition.  Authorized by the General Synod, General Council, and United Synod in the South. Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society and General Council Publication House, and Columbia, S.C.: Lutheran Board of Publication, 1917. Second edition, authorized by the United Lutheran Church. Philadelphia: United Lutheran Publication House, 1918.

    • Hymnal and Order of Service. Authorized by the Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. Rock Island, Ill.: Augustana Book Concern, 1925. Also edition with music.

    • Parish School Hymnal. Authorized by the United Lutheran Church. Philadelphia: United Lutheran Church Board of Publication, ca. 1926. With music.

    • Hymnal for Church and Home. Published jointly by the Danish Lutheran Church in America (later the AELC) and the United Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church (later the UELC). Blair, Neb.: Lutheran Publishing House, 1927. Revised and enlarged editions, 1938 and 1949. With music.

    • The Junior Hymnal. Published for the Augustana Synod. Rock Island, Ill.: Augustana Book Concern, 1928. Revised and enlarged edition, 1962. With music.

    THE AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH AND ITS PREDECESSORS: HYMNBOOKS PUBLISHED IN AMERICA

    German

    Early German-language hymnals that were published by the Pennsylvania Ministerium, the General Council, and the General Synod were extensively used. (See Erbauliche Lieder-Sammlung, Deutsches Gesangbuch, and Kirchenbuch, General Council, under Lutheran Church in America.)

    • Das Neu Eingerichtete Gesang-Buch. Paul Henkel, comp. Springfield, Ohio, 1810.

    • Gesangbuch. Published for the Joint Synod of Ohio. Columbus, Ohio, 1870. At least 14 editions, some revised and expanded.

    Norwegian

    • Guldberg-Harboe Psalmebog. American reprint. Norway, Ill.: Ole Andreasen, 1854, and Inmansville, Wis.: Scandinavian Press Association, 1854.

    • Psalmebog. U.V. Koren, comp. and ed. The Norwegian Lutheran Synod. Decorah, Iowa?, 1874.

    • Landstad's Psalmebog. Enlarged and supplemented. United Norwegian Church and the Hauge Synod. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1893.

    Danish

    • Sangeren. Copenhagen, Denmark, 1892; subsequent editions, Danish Lutheran Publishing House, Blair, Neb.

    English

    • Hymnbook. August Crull, ed. Published for the Norwegian Synod. Decorah, Iowa: Lutheran Publishing House, 1879.

    • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal. Authorized by the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Synod Publishing House, 1880.

    • A Collection of Hymns and Prayers. Ohio Synod. Zanesville, Ohio, 1845. Later edition entitled Hymns and Prayers for Public Worship.

    • The Church and Sunday School Hymnal. By authority of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1898.

    • The Lutheran Hymnary. Authorized by the United Norwegian Church, the Nor­wegian Synod, and the Hauge Synod (later by the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America, later known as the ELC) John Dahle, ed. F. Melius Christiansen, music editor. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1912. Many later editions.

    • Hymnal for Church and Home. Published jointly by the United Danish Ev. Lutheran Church (later the UELC) and the Danish Lutheran Church in America (later the AELC). Blair, Neb.: Lutheran Publishing House, 1927. Revised and enlarged editions, 1938, 1949.

    • Concordia Hymnal. (Unofficial, but used instead of Lutheran Hymnary by a great number of Norwegian congregations) Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1916. Norwegian and English editions. Revised and enlarged editions, English only, 1932 and 1949. With music.

    • The Wartburg Hymnal for Church, Home, and School. Authorized by the (German) Iowa Synod. O. Harwig, ed. Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918. Liturgy. (624KB pdf).

    • American Lutheran Hymnal. (Jointly prepared by representatives of most Mid-Western Lutherans, except the Missouri Synod; but used mainly by the (former) American Lutheran Church.) Compiled and edited by an intersynodical committee, E. Poppen, chairman. Columbus, Ohio: Wartburg Press, 1930.

    • Songs of Praise for Sunday Schools, Church Societies, and the Home. E.
      Poppen, comp. and ed. Columbus, Ohio: Lutheran Book Concern, 1935.

    • Hymns and Songs for Church Schools. Ruth Olson, ed. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1962.

    Note: Before the publication of the Service Book and Hymnal in 1958, the Church Book of the General Council (see under Lutheran Church in America), the Common Service Book of the United Lutheran Church (see under Lutheran Church in America), and The Lutheran Hymnal of the Missouri Synod (1.v.) were extensively used in congregations of the former American Lutheran Church and its predecessors.

     

    THE LUTHERAN CHURCH--MISSOURI SYNOD AND CONGREGATIONS AND CHURCH BODIES FORMERLY ASSOCIATED WITH IT IN THE SYNODICAL CONFERENCE

     German

    • Kirchengesangbuch für Evangelisch-Lutherische Gemeinden. C.F. Walther, ed. St. Louis, 1847. Many later editions, enlarged and expanded, through 1917; came to be considered the more or less official hymnbook of the Missouri Synod.

    • Evangelisch Lutherisches Gesangbuch. Published by the Wisconsin Synod. Thiensville, Wis.?, 1872.

     English

    • Hymnbook. August Crull, ed. Decorah, Iowa: Lutheran Publishing House, 1879.

    • Hymns of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. (For the use of English Lutheran Missions) St. Louis, 1888.

  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnbook. A. Crull, ed. Published by the English Lutheran Conference of the Missouri Synod. Baltimore, 1889. Second edition, enlarged, authorized by the English Synod of Missouri ("The Pittsburgh Hymnal"), Pittsburgh, 1892? Third edition, further enlarged, Chicago, 1895.

  • Church Hymnal. Authorized by the Wisconsin Synod. 1910.

  • Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal. (A further enlargement and revision of the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal ["The Pittsburgh Hymnal"], noted above) Authorized as the official English hymnal of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. St. Louis?, 1912.

  • Book of Hymns. Authorized by the Wisconsin Synod, 1920.

  • The Lutheran Hymnal. Intersynodical Committee on Hymnology and Liturgics of the Lutheran Synodical Conference. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1940.

  • Worship Supplement. Authorized by the Commission on Worship, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod and the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. (Intended as a supplement to The Lutheran Hymnal of 1940 and as preparation for a completely new book. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1969. Fourth printing, slightly revised, 1970.

    • Note: Among all these hymnbooks, the four hymnals in the English language preceding the Service Book and Hymnal that were used most extensively were Hymns Selected and Original, Church Book, Common Service Book, and The Lutheran Hymnal.

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