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Johann Cruger
- Birth: April 9, 1598, Gross-Bresser/Niederlausitz, Germany
- Death: February 23, 1662, Berlin, Germany
Johann Cruger was the son of an innkeeper, born at Gross-Bressen, near Guben in Prussia. He studied theology at the University of Wittenberg but left early to be the cantor of St. Nicholas Church in Berlin and to teach at the Gymnasium of the Grey Friars.
A friend of Paul Gerhardt, Cruger composed melodies for many hymns by Gerhardt and others. He composed seventy-one sacred chorales and also created elaborate instrumental accompaniments for hymns, actively promoting congregational singing. He was also a musicologist and wrote about the theory and practice of music.
Cruger's hymn collections include: Neues vollkommliches Gasangbuch, 1640; Geistliche irchenmelodeyen, 1649; and Psalmodica sacra, 1658. His Praxis pietatis melica, 1644, is considered the most important contribution to hymnody from the seventeenth century.
Page numbers in Trinity Hymnal (1990) and The Worshiping Church (1990)
| Title | Trinity | Worshiping |
|---|---|---|
| Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended | 248 | 231 |
| Jesus Lives and So Shall I | 706 | 246 |
| Jesus, Priceless Treasure | 565 | 119 |
| Jesus Sinners Doth Receive | 473 | |
| Let Thy Blood in Mercy Poured | 429 | |
| Now Thank We All Our God | 98 | 374 |
| Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness | 421 |