This first Lutheran hymnal celebrates its 500th anniversary in this year of 2024!
In the early years of the Reformation, Martin Luther expressed a desire that people should sing songs in their own language during worship. Since German hymns were lacking, he encouraged poets, clergy, and even a shoemaker to write new songs to fill the need. His encouragement began to bear fruit when the “Achtliederbuch” (“eight-hymn book”), officially titled Etlich Cristlich lider (Some Christian Hymns) was published in 1524.
Link here to read more from CPH about the long history of Lutheran hymnals: