I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
— Psalm 119:46
This month marks the 500th anniversary of the Diet of Worms, the imperial meeting where Luther was asked to recant his early Reformation writings, but chose instead to make the good confession of faith before Emperor Charles V, saying:
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me. Amen. (Luther’s Works 32:112–13)
This anniversary pre-dates the first Lutheran hymn and hymnal by just a few years, but three works by three of Luther’s favorite composers are worth exploring on the Quincentennial of Luther’s speaking the truth of God’s Word in the public square, come what may.
Josquin dez Prez (1450/55–1521) was a French composer of the Renaissance and is widely considered to be the first master of the high Renaissance style of polyphonic vocal music that was emerging during his lifetime. During Luther’s day, Josquin acquired a reputation as the greatest composer of the age, his mastery of technique and expression being universally imitated and widely admired. Luther said that "he is the master of the notes,” for “all of whose compositions flow freely, gently, and cheerfully, [and] are not forced or cramped by rules. . . .” (Luther’s Works, 54:129). It is no surprise that Josquin is listed in a pamphlet distributed in Wittenberg in 1551 as one of the “immortals” among distinguished composers, “whose music is known to have been in the Wittenberg repertory, and many of [whom] had connections with Luther” (Robin Leaver, Luther’s Liturgical Music, p. 85). Josquin’s setting of the anonymous Latin text, Tu Pauperum Refugium, would have been the perfect Introit for the Diet of Worms. Here a coal miner’s soon, little more than a beggar, stood up to the most powerful man in the world and took refuge in Christ alone.
Thou art the refuge of the poor,
remedy for afflictions, hope of exiles,
strength of those who labor,
way for the wandering, truth and life.
And now, Redeemer, Lord, in thee alone I take refuge;
thee, true God, I adore, in thee I hope,
in thee I confide, my salvation, O Jesus Christ.
Help me, lest my soul ever sleep in death.
Ludwig Senfl (1486–1542/43), also respected by Luther and his contemporaries, was listed in the same pamphlet in 1551 as an “immortal.” But while Luther knew of Josquin, he personally knew and corresponded with Senfl. Luther was a master of melody (a singular and singable musical line), but Senfl was a master of polyphony (many voices singing at the same time). Luther often spoke of his desire to set Psalm 118:17 (“I shall not die, but live, and proclaim the praises of the Lord”), which he eventually penned as a one-minute motet. But Senfl’s setting of the same text, though perhaps less widely known than Luther’s, would have been the perfect Psalm for the Diet of Worms. Heretics at the time could be shot on sight, with no criminal charges filed against the assailant. Senfl wrote the following Latin motet, performed here on period instruments as Luther would have known them, to give comfort to Luther during his exile after the Diet of Worms. As the reader well knows, Luther already had enough of a following that his execution would not be as simple as Pope and Emperor no doubt desired. Luther lived a long and full life, praising God in doctrine, life, and of course in song, making this an appropriate Psalm for Luther’s confession at Worms.
Johann Walther (1495–1570), commemorated on 24 April, was not listed as one of the “immortals” in the aforementioned pamphlet from 1551, but he holds the high distinction of being the first Lutheran Kantor, i.e., a formally appointed director of music, with requisite qualifications in music and formal examinations in theology. Walther wrote numerous choral works for the church, setting the precedent for the flowering of Lutheran church music under J. S. Bach (1685–1750), who worked with a composer by the same name. Walther was also Luther’s closest musical collaborator, even though they never lived in the same town. Indeed, it is fitting that Walther composed a setting of Luther’s hymn, “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word,” which could easily have been the Hymn of the Day for the Diet of Worms, especially in light of the original text of the second line of the first stanza, “Restrain the murderous Pope and Turk.”
Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word;
curb those who by deceit or sword
would wrest the kingdom from your Son
and bring to naught all he has done.
Lord Jesus Christ, your pow'r make known,
for you are Lord of lords alone;
defend your holy church that we
may sing your praise eternally.
O Comforter of priceless worth,
send peace and unity on earth;
support us in our final strife
and lead us out of death to life. (Lutheran Service Book 655)
As the events unfolded at Worms, Luther might have thought of the Epistle lesson from the previous Sunday (Easter II), St. Peter’s description of the cruciform mystery and life under the cross:
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
(I Peter 2:21–25 [ESV])
Finally, the following anonymous prayer, often circulated as a kind of appendix to Luther’s hymns, could easily have served as the “Collect for the Diet of Worms.” This prayer collects the petitions of all those who speak of God’s statutes before kings and before the world—humbly, soberly, and globally—and will not be put to shame, for they delight in the truth of the Word of God above all earthly treasure:
Give to our Prince and all authorities
peace and good government
that we under them
may lead a calm and quiet life
in all blessedness and modesty. (Luther’s Liturgical Music, p. 204)
God grant it!
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