May the singing make the Word of Lord be among people

The article presents Martin Luther, the Reformer as a musician and theologian of music. From his early age, Luther played the lute well, later on also the flute and sang.When Luther studied in Eisenach, he had music lessons. Because music was taught in a mathematical manner, Luther acquired good understanding of the theory of harmonics. He learned to distinguish between different musical genres. In the monastery, already as a monk, he could refine his skills. Later on Lutherwas able to transcribe and adapt folk melodies (contrafactum) and to harmonise them as well as to write music for psalms. The Reformer himself composed 36 hymns for German texts. As Luther reformed the liturgy, he accorded full importance to the sermon as well as to community singing. The singing was defined as an assertion of faith and spiritual commentary on biblical texts.Music was at the heart of the Lutheran Reformation. Luther’s theology of music is formed through the conviction that music is a particularly beautiful and unique offering of the divine creation. „Music is a gift from God and next to theology” – wrote Luther.Music also moves human hearts. To bring people joy and to praise the Lord is the music’s true task and service