Johann Walter was Martin Luther's musical advisor. He helped Luther with the part of the reformation that had to do with the church's music, liturgy, and hymns.

The year 1524 was very important for Walter and his contributions to the Lutheran Church.

First, Walter published a very important hymnbook, which was used in the church, school, and home. It was a book of musical arrangements of hymns, mainly for choirs, and included 35 hymns-23 of them by Luther himself-arranged to be sung in 3, 4, or 5 part harmony. With Luther's input Walter prepared this book.

Luther himself wrote an introduction to the hymnal, showing how important he thought this hymnbook to be. In this introduction Luther said that these musical arrangements of the hymns were to help children learn to sing good Christian music. He also stated the importance of good hymns and church music when he wrote: "I would like to see all the arts, especially music, used in the service of Him who gave and made them. I therefore pray that every pious Christian would be pleased with this and lend his help if God has given him similar or greater gifts. As it is, the world is too lax and indifferent about teaching and training the young. God grant us His grace. Amen."

The second important thing Walter did in the year 1524 was to help Luther prepare a new liturgy. It wasn't really new. But at that time, the church service was sung only in the Latin language-which most people did not know-and things contrary to Scripture had invaded the church service, which gave the impression that worship consists of our doing things for God rather than of God's giving things to us. Luther was preparing a service that would (a) be in German (the language the people could understand), and (b) get rid of the errors.

In 1524 Walter spent three weeks in Luther's home while helping him write this liturgy. He said Luther showed himself to be very capable in composing the music. However, the final version also showed Walter's influence as he improved Luther's musical settings for the liturgy.

Walter was a layman, but he was a good Lutheran theologian. After Luther's death Walter remained a strong Lutheran in doctrine and worship.

As an orphan he experienced the sadness of growing up without parents, but he helped bring happiness to many through the music he wrote to the glory of God.

He also wrote the words to some hymns. His hymn "The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us" (1552) was the first one devoted specifically to the glories of eternal life. He gave it the title "A Beautiful Spiritual and Christian Song of the Last Day and Eternal Life." Originally it had 33 verses! Read the beautiful words to this hymn (ELH 100, TLH 67). It includes this verse:

In yonder home shall never
Be silent music's voice;
With hearts and lips forever
We shall in God rejoice.
The angels shall adore Him,
All saints shall sing His praise
And bring with joy before Him
Their sweetest heavenly lays.

Jerome Gernander is pastor of RichlandLutheran Church in Thornton, Iowa.