Christian Friedrich Richter

Short Name: Christian Friedrich Richter
Full Name: Richter, Christian Friedrich, 1676-1711
Birth Year: 1676
Death Year: 1711

Richter, Christian Friedrich, son of Sigismund Richter, Rath and Chancellor to Count von Promnitz at Sorau, in Brandenburg, was born at Sorau, Oct. 5, 1676. At the University of Halle he was first a student of medicine and then of theology. In 1698, A. H. Francke appointed him Inspector of the Paedagogium, and then made him, in 1699, physician in general to all his Institutions. In company with his younger brother, Dr. Christian Sigismund Richter, he made many chemical experiments, for which he prepared himself by special prayer; and invented many compounds which came into extensive use under the name of the “Halle Medicines," the most famous being the Essentia dulcis, which was a preparation of gold. He died at Halle, Oct. 5, 1711 (Koch, iv. 354, &c).

Richter was one of the most important hymnwriters among the Pietists of the earlier Halle school; and his hymns possess the defects as well as the excellences of his school. They are emotional, and develop the idea of the spiritual union with Christ as the Bridegroom of the soul, with a minuteness that is hardly reverent (e.g. No. xi. below). They are also frequently not clearly thought out, and consequently somewhat obscure. Various of them are in unusual metres, and were wedded to tunes not very devotional in character. Apart from these defects there are various of his hymns worthy of note for their genuine, fervent piety, their childlike spirit of love to God, and the depth of Christian experience embodied in them. They appeared principally in the various Pietistic hymn-books of the period, especially in Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704 and 1714, and were collected and appended (as his Geistliche Lieder) to an essay edited by his brother (named above) and published at Halle, in 1718, as Erbauliche Betrachtungen vom Ur sprung und Adel der Seelen.

Richter's hymns …which have passed into English are:—
i. Gott den ich als Liebe kenne. For the Sick. Included in Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714, No. 647, in 7 stanzas of 8 lines, repeated, 1718, as above, p. 420, entitled, "Hymn in Sickness." According to Ehmann, in his edition of Gottfried Arnold, 1856, p. xii., it had previously appeared in Arnold's Heilsamer Rath und Unterricht für Kranke und Sterbende, 2nd edition, 1709. It is in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 603. Translated as :—
God! whom I as love have known. A full and very good translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855, p. 236. Repeated, abridged, in L. Rehfuess's Church at Sea, 1868, p. 53. A cento, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, taken from st. v., vi., iii., and beginning, "Let my soul beneath her load,” is No. 398, in the Unitarian Hymns of the Spirit, Boston, U. S. A., 1864.
Another translation is: O God, Whose attributes shine forth in turn." By Miss Cox, 1864, p. 191.
ii. Heine Armuth macht mich schreien. Supplication, or Longing for Christ. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 662, in 7 st. of 6 1. Repeated, 1718, as above, p. 381, and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 769. Translated as:—
Unto Him my spirit crieth . A good translation of st. i., ii., vi., by A. T. Russell, in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851.
iii. Stilles Lamm und Friedefürst. Sanctification. A hymn on the Following of Christ the Lamb of God, and founded on Rev. xiv. 4. In Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch 1714, No. 432, in 8 st. of 5 1. Repeated in 1718, as above, p. 364, entitled. "On the name Agneta, which may be derived from Agnus, which in German is called a Lamb." In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 922. Tr. as:—
Thou Lamb of God, Thou Prince of Peace . A free tr., omitting st. iii., vii., by J. Wesley, in his Psalms & Hymns, Charlestown, 1736-7, p. 51, and Hymns & Sacred Poems, 1739 (P. Works, 1868-72, i.,p. 129). Included in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, No. 329 (1875, No. 338), and recently in the Methodist New Congregational Hymn Book, 1863, Mercer's Church Psalter & Hymn Book, 1857 and 1864, Holy Song, 1869, the American Methodist Episcopal Hymn Book 1849, and others.
Another tr. is: "Holy Lamb and Prince of Peace." By J. Gambold, as No. 38 in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1742 (1886, No. 486).
Eight others of his hymns have been tr. into English, viz:--
iv. Die sanfte Bewegung, die liebliche Kraft. Whitsuntide. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 454, in 9 st.; and in 1718 as above, p. 393, entitled, "Of the Joy in the Holy Ghost." Tr. as: "This Impulse so gentle, this Movement so sweet," as No. 551, in pt. i., of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754.
v. Es glänzet der Christen inwendigem Leben. The Life of Faith. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 515, in 8 stanzas; and in 1718, as above, p. 398, entitled, "On the hidden life of believers." Repeated in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 410. It is Richter's finest hymn, and was (says Koch, viii. 249) a great favourite with Dr. F. Schleiermacher. It is founded on Col. iii. 3, 4, and gives a picture of what the inner life of a Christian should be: described from Richter's own experience. The trs. are: (1) "The Christian's Life inward displays its bright splendour." As No. 620, in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. (2) "All fair within those children of the light." By Mrs. Bevan, 1858, p. 26.
vi. Hüter! wird die Nacht der Sunden. Morning. A fine hymn, for use especially in Advent, and founded on Isaiah xxi. 11. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 599, in 9 st.: 1718, as above, p. 401, and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 460. Tr. as: (1) "Watchman! is the Night retiring." By H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 45. (2) "O Watchman, will the night of sin." By Miss Winkworth, 1855, p. 1. Repeated in Miss Warner's Hymns of the Church Militant , 1858, the Gilman-Schaff Library of Religious Poetry , 1881, &c.
vii. Jesu, gib mir deine Fülle. Supplication. A prayer to Christ as the Great Physician. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 66, in 7 st., st. vii. being entitled "Answer." In 1718, as above, p. 406, entitled, "On Patience." In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 289. Tr. as:— "Jesu grant Thou me Thy Fulness." In the Supplement to German Psalmody, ed. 1765, p. 47.
viii. Jesus ist das schönste Licht. Love to Christ. On St. John xii. 36. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 349, in 9 st.: and in 1718, as above, p. 379, entitled, "On Desire towards God and Christ." In the Berlin Geistlich Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 808. Tr. as:— "Jesus is my light most fair," as No. 630, in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754 (1886, No. 450).
ix. Mein Salomo dein freundliches Regieren. Peace in Believing. A fine hymn, founded on St. John i. 14. In Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714, No. 512, in 11 st. In 1718, as above, p. 416; and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 424. Tr. as:— (1) "My Solomon! thy kind and gracious Sceptre," as No. 622, in pt. i., of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. In 1789, altered to "Jesus, my King, Thy kind and gracious sceptre" (1886, No. 384). (2) "Jesus, my King! Thy mild and kind control." By Dr. Bomberger, in Schaff s Kirchenfreund , 1849, p.337.
x. O Liebe die den Himmel hat zerissen. Christmas. In Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714, No. 34, in 9 st.: and in 1718, as above, p. 414, entitled, "On the Incarnation of the Son of God." In the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 52. Translated as:-- "Oh! love that did the heavens rend asunder." By Miss Manington, 1864, p. 35.
xi. O wie selig sind die Seelen. Love to Christ. Founded on Hosea ii. 19, 20, and Eph. v. 25. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch., 1704, No. 512, in 10 st.: and in 1718, as above, p. 396, entitled, "On the high dignity of believers." In Porst's Gesang-Buch, ed. 1855, No. 412. It was (says Koch, viii. 297) originated by a dream Richter had about 1700, that in the hospital at Halle he would find a truly Christ-like soul. After searching all the wards he found an old neglected patient in a garret, with whom he conversed, and whom he found to be the person he was seeking. Inspired by her relations of her inner experience, he embodied her thoughts in this fine hymn. Tr. as:— "O what joy for them is stored." By Mrs. Bevan, 1858, p. 68. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)


Texts by Christian Friedrich Richter (43)sort descendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
All fair within those Children of the lightChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)English2
Das Leben unsers König's siegtChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German3
Det koster ei for megen StridChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)Norwegian3
Die Seele ist dazu geborenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German3
Es glänzet der Christen inwendiges LebenChr. Fr. Richter (Author)German66
Es ist nicht schwer ein Christ zu seinChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German34
Es kostet viel, ein Christ zu seinChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German32
Freuet euch, erlöste BrüderChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German10
Give me, my child, the Father saithChr. Fr. Richter, 1676-1711 (Author)3
God whom I as love have knownChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)English6
Gott, den ich als Liebe kenneChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German9
Herr Jesu Christ, mein Licht und LebenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German2
Hier legt mein Sinn sich vor dir niederChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German28
Holy Lamb and Prince of PeaceChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)English4
Hüter, wird die Nacht der Sünden nicht verschwinden?Christian Friedrich Richter (Author)German23
Hvad ere de Kristne dog indvortes smukkeChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)Norwegian3
Ich suche dich in dieser FerneChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German10
It does not cost too hard a strifeChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)English3
Jaṡnieje wewnętrzne u chrześcijan życieChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)Polish2
Jesu gib mir deine FülleChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German3
Jesus is my light most fairChr. Fr. Richter, 1676-1711 (Author)English5
Jesus ist das schönste LichtChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German8
Jesus, my King, thy kind and gracious scepterChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)5
Maria hat das beste Teil erwähletChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German3
Mein Freund zerschmelzt aus Lieb'Christian Friedrich Richter (Author)German3
Mein g'nugbeschwerter SinnChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German10
Mein Salomo, dein freundliches RegierenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German30
Meine Armut macht mich schreien zu dem TreuenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German28
My soul before Thee prostrate liesRitchter (Author)English51
Nature will raise up all her strifeLuther (Author)9
O Liebe, die den Himmel hat zerrissenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German17
O Watchman, will the night of sinChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)English5
O wie selig sind die Seelen, die sich einzig Jesum wählenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German40
O wie selig sind die Seelen, die mit Jesu sich vermählenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German8
Seid zufrieden, lieben BrüderChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German6
Stilles Lamm und FriedefürstChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German10
The sovereign Father, good and kindChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)5
Thou Lamb of God, thou Prince of PeaceChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)English44
'Tis not too arduous an essayChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)English1
'Tis not too hard, too high an aimChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)English3
Vor Sjæl er dertil fødd og baarenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)Norwegian4
Wirf ab von mir das schwere Joch der SündenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German3
Wo ist meine Sonne blieben? Deren liebenChristian Friedrich Richter (Author)German15

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