God music did at once supply

“Johann Walter was the first Lutheran kantor, and was an advisor and colleague of Martin Luther. He desired that a holy and proper use of music in worship prevail in German churches. A poet as well as composer, Walter produced a lengthy, rhymed poem of 324 lines which describe his view of music’s importance in liturgy.” Cynthia Pock

“In 1538, while at Torgau, he published a rhymed homage to music, Lob und Preis der loeblichen Kunst Musica (In Praise of the Noble Art of Music), a didactic poem of 324 lines, in which he developed an entire theology of music, following the ideas of Luther’s scattered remarks on the subject. . . .

“Luther himself provided a rhymed introduction to this poem entitled ‘Vorrhede auff all gute Gesangbuecher’ (‘A Preface for All Good Hymnals’). Luther put his preface on the lips of Frau Musica (Lady Music) and had her extol her own gifts. Luther’s introduction, together with Walter’s more elaborately conceived poem, provide remarkable insights into the early Reformation’s view of music.” Carl Schalk

Johann Walter was born in 1496 at Thuringia, Germany. He died in 1570 at Torgau, Germany. He believed God created music; and his work influenced congregational participation in worship services. The stanza’s below are from an English translation of Walter’s hymn praising God and his music. As far as I know, it has not been used as a church hymn.

1. That such unmerited free grace
(Which God from love for all our race
Had promised in his word) might be
Kept fresh in human memory
And move the heart to high delight
In praising God both day and night—

2. This is the weightiest reason why
God music did at once supply.
Then too, since sin acquired at birth
Would bring to Adam’s seed on earth
Much woe and—earth itself now spoiled—
Small joy in all for which they toiled,
As antidote against that blight,
To keep man’s life from wilting quite,
And also to rejoice the heart,
God soon supplied sweet music’s art.