A Bibliography of German Lutheran Breviaries and Liturgical Prayerbooks, found in the library of the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule, Oberursel
(Excluded are Catholic
and Reformed sources, although union sources are included.)
Allgemeine lutherische
Konferenz. Allgemeines
Gebetbuch: Ein Haus- und Kirchenbuch für evangelisch-lutherische
Christen. (Leipzig:
Verlag von Justus Naumann, 1883). 608pp. Text only, old script.
Half of the book is prayers, lectionary, and Psalm schedule for the
Sunday's, weekdays, and feasts of the Church year. The other half is
hymns.
Bernstein,
Walter Heinz, Breviarium
Lipsiensae; Tagzeitenbuch.
(Die Evangelisch-Lutherische Gebetsbruderschaft, 1988). xxviii +
557pp. Lutheran breviary.
This
is a genuine Kunstwerk.
This one volume, in German with occasional Latin, contains a
lectionary (reading the NT twice a year, and the OT once every two
years), the ordinary of the hours (four hours per day: Lauds, Sext,
Vespers, Compline--all of which contain melismatic responsories, and
especially Vespers), canticles, the entire Psalter (with the last
accent on the second or third last syllable of each half-verse
pointed), an antiphonary (four-week Psalter cycle, melodies
melismatic Medieval), the De
Tempore (texts
keyed to the historic church year) and De
Sanctis (only J.
Baptist, 3 Marian feasts, Michael, and All Saints are given, along
with a common of apostles) for the Lutheran Church year. The
appendix contains the Athanasian creed, the seven penitential Psalms
with the Litany, the Reisesegen,
and a prayer for the Church. This book is a treasure of devotion and
musical art. September 2001.
Brandhorst,
Reinhard, i.a. Evangelisches
Tagzeitenbuch. 4th
edition, completely revised. (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck &
Ruprecht, 1998). 970 pp. Hardback. 7 ribbons plus a laminated card
with canticles and orders of service. Lutheran breviary.
This
is a successor to the 1979 Evangelisches
Tagzeitenbuch and
the 1995 Evangelisches
Stundengebet. It
still uses same general Psalm schedule and lectionaries (the German
version of the historic church year) as its predecessors, as well as
Gregorian Psalms, antiphons, hymns, etc, all written in Gregorian
musical notation. For all parts of the book, however, there are many
options. The Psalms are laid out again not in canonical order, but
in the order of their liturgical use. Gregorian responsories and
hymns abound. Although not given special propers in the book, the
liturgical calendar at the beginning of this volume is filled with
commemorations. These include some traditional saints (e.g. Hilarius
von Poitiers, Jan 13), famous Lutherans (e.g. Wilhelm Löhe, Jan 2;
Klaus Harms, Feb 1), as well as such figures as Charles Spurgeon (Jan
31), Martin Bucer (Feb 28), and Meister Eckhart (Mar 27). As the
calendar shows, the volume is self-consciously ecumenical. An
interesting addition to this breviary was the Christus-Rosenkranz
(Christ-Rosary). Instead of the Hail Mary there is prayed: "Gelobt
sei, der da kommt im Namen des Herrn: Jesus Christus, Gottes und
Marien Sohn, der..." (Praised be Him who comes in the name of
the Lord: Jesus Christ, Son of God and Mary, who...) and then follows
a list of sentences commemorating aspects of our Lord's life and
ministry, or other theological points of interest.
In
general, this breviary seems more like a source book for the divine
office than it does a personal prayer book, since it is extremely
complicated.
Diedrich,
J. Breviarium: das
ist Matutinen und Vespern durch das ganze Kirchenjahr für Kirche,
Schule und Haus.
(Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Schulze, n.d. (19th c., certainly
post-1855)). xxii + 438pp. LThH Oberursel library. Lutheran
breviary.
This
is a short breviary without music, from the last half of the 19th
century. The most curious feature is that Psalms do not seem to be
prescribed. After a short introduction, a few forms of the Lutheran
Litany, and a table of Bible readings for the church year, propers
are listed for Matins and Vespers. Vesper
am Sonnabend vor dem ersten Advent
has the following structure: Im
Names des Vaters...,
Ant. (Zach. 9), Hymn--Wachet
auf, ruft uns die Stimme,
V.&R., prayer, reading from Isa 1, V.&R., prayer, reading
from Gen. 1, V.&R. reading from Gen. 2, V.&R., prayer, hymn,
Magnificat, petitions or Litany, Vater
unser, prayer,
blessing. All of the Versicles and Responses correspond to the Bible
reading. The sanctoral cycle is laid out thus: S. Andrew (11/30), S.
Nicholas (12/6), S.
Thomas (12/21), S. Stephan (12/26), S. John (12/27), Conversion of S.
Paul (1/25), Purification of S. Mary (2/2), S. Matthiätage (2/24),
Annunciation of S. Mary (3/25), S. Mark (4/25), SS. Philip &
James (5/1), John the Baptist (6/24), S. Peter Paul (6/29),
Visitation of S. Mary (7/2), S. Mary Magdalene (7/22), S. James
(7/25), S. Lawrence
(8/10), S.
Bartholomew (8/24), Beheading
of John (8/29), Birth of S. Mary (9/8), Exaltation of the Cross
(9/14), S.
Matthäitage (9/21), S. Michael (9/29), S. Luke (10/18), SS. Simon &
Jude (10/28), Feast of the Reformation (10/31), Feast of All Saints
(9/1), S. Martin
(11/11), S. Catharine (11/25), Harvest
Feast, Church Consecration Day, Bußtag (Quatember),
In cross and need,
In time of war, On the deathday of a God-pious Christian, On the
birthday of a God-pious Christian.
Dieffenbach,
Georg Christian u. Christian Müller, Diarium
pastorale, Bd. 1: Evangelisches Brevier.
(Stuttgart: Verlag von S. G. Liesching, 1857). xvi + 621pp.
Library of LThH, Oberursel, Lutheran breviary.
This
is a breviary specifically for Lutheran pastors. It is not keyed
specifically to the Church year, but assumes a familiarity with it
and gives season options in hymn and prayer selections. Instead, it
is keyed to the Christian week. The hours run thus: Matutin
at 6am, Laudes
at 9am, Pro pace
at noon, Meditatio
at 3pm, Vesper
at 6pm, and finally Completorium
at 9pm. The structure of the hours has very little to do with the
classic Medieval forms. For example, Matins consists of introitus
(Psalm verses),
Kyrie
(a kind of litany ending with the Kyrie), Gloria
(actually only the one verse from Luke, not the gloria
in excelsis),
collects, Lectio,
Preces, short
versicles, creed, Sanctus,
Pater noster,
Benedictio.
So very little of this is similar to the classic liturgy of the
hours, but instead it consists of sections borrowed from the
Hauptgottesdienst
and elsewhere. Why is the noon hour prayer called Pro
pace? Vespers also
has its own peculiarities. It runs thus: Versicles, collects, psalm,
Agnus Dei,
the seven penetential Psalms. On Sundays alone is the Magnificat
sung, on Fridays, Isa 53.
Drobnitzky,
Walter, and Friedrich Heiler, Evangelische-Katholisches
Stundengebet.
(Bochum: Förderkreis Breviergebet, 1982). 432pp. Lutheran
breviary.
The
8 canonical hours are provided for, without music. The little
booklet is designed for use with a Bible. The Psalm schedule is a 3
week cycle with 1 Psalm for each nocturne at Matins, 3 Psalms at
Lauds, one Psalm at each little hour, 1 Psalm at Compline, and only 2
Psalms at Vespers. I found myself desiring a more substantial amount
of Psalmody at Vespers. The lectionary does not cover the whole
Bible. The best parts of this breviary is that it is that it
corresponds nearly 100% with the historic church year, does not show
any personality traits of the author, and is very small and compact.
Evang.-Luth.
Diakonissenanstalt Neuendettelsau. Der
Psalter; nach der Übersetzung D. Martin Luthers (revidierter Text
1964) für den gottesdienstlichen Gebrauch bearbeitet mit Ordnung
der Tageszeitengottesdienste und des Beichgottesdienstes.
(Würzburg: Universitätsdruckerei H. Stüry AG., 1971). 426pp.
hardback, 3 ribbons. Lutheran breviary.
Besides
the whole Psalter pointed to a German version of Gregorian tones,
there are 176 Gregorian antiphons, arranged by Psalm tone, and orders
of service for die Matutin (Matins), Mittagslob (Sext), die Vesper,
and Komplet (Compline). Also included is an order for a
confession-service. 3 Psalms with their antiphons are suggested for
each Sunday and feast day. Otherwise there are no lectionaries or
instructions on which antiphons to use with which Psalms. In
general, this is the Psalter that would fill out and complete a
hymnal for the purposes of daily prayer.
Hofhansl,
Ernst, and Herbert Naglatzki. Evangelisches
Stundengebet; Beten im Rhythmus von Jahr und Tag.
(Hannover: Lutherisches Verlagshaus GmbH, 1995). xiv + 317pp.
Lutheran breviary.
This
is a successor to the 1979 Evangelisches
Tagzeitenbuch. There
are only a few differences that distinguish it from its predecessor.
The music is written in Gregorian musical notation. The Psalms are
not in canonical order, but in the order used in the course of the
liturgical day, week, and year. This makes the book easier to use if
one follows the suggested schedule of Psalms, but on the other hand,
it decreases the book's versatility. The Wochenpsalm (Psalm of the
week) uses the standard Wochenspruch (Verse of the week, a standard
part of the German Lutheran propers) as its antiphon. All the hymns
except two are taken out of this book, and reference is made instead
to hymns from the Evangelisches
Kirchengesang and
the Evangelisches
Gesangbuch, the
state church hymnals. Titles of hymns are also listed, making it
possible to find the suggested hymn in a different hymnal. The most
significant improvement is that the Psalms in this book are pointed,
to make their chanting easier. The tone and antiphon are also
printed directly before each Psalm. Although this breviary is not as
easy to read as its predecessor (since it is printed only in black),
the layout may make it easier to use.
Maude,
Albert. Evangelisches
Tagzeitenbuch; Ordnung für das tägliche Gebet.
3rd revised ed. (Kassel: Johannes Stauda Verlag, 1979). xxiv + 717pp.
Hardback, 6 ribbons, plus a laminated card listing Psalm tones.
Lutheran breviary.
In
general, this breviary seems to be a pleasant balance between
simplicity and complexity. It does not have the peculiarities of a
personal prayer book, but was developed in the context of the
communal prayer of the Evangelische Michaelsbruderschaft. Therefore
it has much to commend it.
Music
is written on a modern music staff, while notes are written as
neumes. Included is the Psalter in canonical order (unfortunately,
some Psalms contain only selected verses), according to one of the
revised Luther translations (perhaps the 1964?) as well as Gregorian
antiphons, a few hymns, many prayers, a lectio continua chart for
Bible reading, and the orders of service. This is a small book that
can be used in at least two ways. The first is a more informal form
of home devotions called "Das Gebet der Tageszeiten." It
consists of several hymns, set Bible passages, one Psalm, and
prayers. This form of prayer is given for morning, midday, and
evening prayer.
The
other form of prayer is the more liturgical "Chorgebet."
Frühlesung is a simplified form of Medieval Matins, similar to the
modern RC Office of Readings. Morgenlob is Lauds. Bereitung zur
Messe is a short, mostly unvarying preparation for mass.
Mittagsgebet is Sext, with the Luther-antiphon "Verleih uns
Frieden" (Grant us peace) as a preface to the Collect for Peace
(which is often prayed at noon in German prayer-books, rather than at
Vespers, as in English and American prayer-books). Zur Todesstunde
Jesu is a short, unvarying, responsive prayer office at 3pm.
Abendsegen is Vespers. Nachtgebet is Compline.
In
this Breviary, the Gospel Canticles (Benedictus at Lauds and
Magnificat at Vespers) have seasonal antiphons. At Matins, a lectio
continua of the Psalms is suggested. At Lauds, Sext, and Vespers,
three Psalms are prayed. The first Psalm is always the Wochenpsalm
(Psalm of the week) which has its own antiphon and is repeated at the
three main offices throughout the week. The second Psalm is the
Tagespsalm (Psalm of the day). The Tagespsalm changes every day
which is repeated at the three main offices. The third Psalm is the
Stundenpsalm (Psalm of the hour). Each office of each day of the
week has its own Stundenpsalm. The Stundenpsalmen change seasonally.
The readings at the three main offices are from various parts of the
OT, NT, and Apocrypha, and all have to do with the theme of Sunday's
Gospel.
The
sanctoral cycle consists of SS. Andrew, Thomas, Conversion of Paul,
Presentation, Matthias, Annunciation, Mark, Erntebittag (Day of
prayer for the harvest, May 1), Philip & James, Augsburg
Confession, Peter & Paul, Visitation (July 2), James the Elder,
Laurence-Destruction of Jerusalem, Bartholomew, Beheading of John
Baptist, Matthew, Michael and All Angels, Harvest Thanksgiving, Luke,
Simon & Jude, Reformation, All Saints, Gedenktag der
Entschlafenen (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed).
Orate
Fratres: Gebetsordnung für evangelische Pfarrer und Mitarbeiter in
der Kirche. 3rd
rev. ed. (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1970). 213pp.
Similar
to the Evangelisches Tagzeitenbuch series, there are two parallel
orders of prayer, a simpler one meant for private use, and a choral,
liturgical one meant for congregational use. The liturgical sections
are identical to other modern German Lutheran hymnals and breviaries.
This appears to be the case due to the common use among German
Lutherans of the Tagzeiten-Gottesdiensten der Lutherischen
Liturgischen Konferenz Deutschlands. After the orders of service, a
Psalm schedule (1 Psalm at each office, keyed to the church year) and
then a lectionary (also keyed to the church year) follow. Next come
hymn texts (translations of Latin hymns) and then 34 pp. of prayers.
This seems like a suitable introductory prayer book. It would be
nice to see a more thorough use of the Psalms, however.
Paul,
Erhart, ed. i.a. Der
Psalter und die Cantica der heiligen Schrift nach der deutschen
Übersetzung D. Martin Luthers; Für den Gesang eingerichtet.
(Erschienen im
Feste-Burg-Verlag, 1960). 223pp. 2 ribbons, a Psalm-tone card, and a
pamphlet with 20 Gregorian antiphons. All 150 Psalms, several OT
canticles, the three Gospel canticles, and the Athanasian Creed are
here pointed for chanting. At the end of each half-verse, the
location of the last two stressed syllables is indicated. Thus the
tunes are interchangeable.
Pregizer,
Albert, ed. Alles
mit Gott! Evangelisches Gebetbuch für alle Morgen und Abende der
Woche, in sechsfacher Abwechslung, für die Fest- und Feiertage, für
die Kommunion, sowie für besondere Zeiten und Lagen, von Luther,
Arndt, Scriver, Arnold, Stark, Storr, Roos, Tersteegen, Spitta, J. A.
Burk, A. Knapp und vielen anderen Gottesmännern.
(Reutlingen: Enßlin und Laiblin, 1897). 432pp. Old script.
Prayers only.
Stählin,
Wilhelm, pub. Psalmgebete:
Im Auftrag der Evangelischen Michaelsbruderschaft.
(Kassel: Johannes Stauda-Verlag, 1959). 188pp. 3 ribbons and
Psalm-tone card. This is an unpointed Psalter with 123 Gregorian
antiphons.
Other Liturgical Works:
Lochner,
Friedrich. Der
Hauptgottesdienst der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche. Zur Erhaltung
des liturgischen Erbtheils und zur Beförderung des liturgischen
Studiums in der americanisch-lutherischen Kirche erläutert und mit
altkirchlichen Singweisen versehen.
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1895). 294 pp. The
first section of the book deals with the history and form of the
Lutheran Divine Service. Of special interest here is his emphasis on
communion every Sunday and Feast day, his use of the term "the
Evangelical Mass," and his promotion of the use of the historic
mass vestments, e.g. the chasuble. The second section deals with the
individual parts of the Divine Service in detail. For each section
there are several musical settings given, stemming either from
historic catholic sources or from the first two centuries of
Lutheranism. E.g.
all the
introits for the historic church year are pointed for singing with
Gregorian Psalm tones. An appendix discusses the altar, pulpit,
font, and their appointments.
Mehl,
Oskar Joh. Das
liturgische Verhalten: Beiträge zu einem evangelischen Zeremoniale
und Rituale.
(Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1927). 212 pp. Included
are ceremonial directions for the Hauptgottesdienst,
baptism, confirmation, wedding, burial, visitation of the sick, and
confession. The Roman Catholic ceremonial is indicated with
suggestions for Lutheran usage following.
My friend Matthew Carver asked me yesterday if there was a good Lutheran resource that has a devotion or summary of each chapter of the Bible. Indeed there is! The Altenburger Bibelwerk is a special Bible that has prefaces for each chapter of the Bible written by Franz Vierling (1538-1611) and prayers at the end of each chapter written by Luther's assistant Veit Dietrich (1506-1549). Carver found an online copy from the 1700s that also has short poems before and after each chapter written by David von Schweinitz (1600-1667). In the 19th c. this was republished in America (I think) for use by LCMS Lutherans. There's a nice review of it in Der Lutheraner. We had a copy of this at the CPH library, and I perused it from time to time, but now I have a PDF on my tablet, and you can have a PDF for free, too. There are other editions of it, but this is the one I have. Enjoy!
