Befiehl du deine Wege

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"Befiehl du deine Wege" is a Lutheran hymn by Paul Gerhardt. It is one of his best known hymns,^[1] and was first published in 1653 in Johann Crüger's collection of hymns and popular religious songs Praxis pietatis melica.^[2]

Melody and use[]

The hymn is in both the standard Lutheran and Catholic German hymnbooks.

Hassler hymn tune[]

Johann Sebastian Bach used "Befiehl du deine Wege" and its 1601 tune by Hans Leo Hassler ("Herzlich tut mich verlangen", Zahn No. 5385a) in his St. Matthew Passion.^[3][4]

Gesius hymn tune[]

"Befiehl du deine Wege" is also sung to a tune published by Bartholomäus Gesius in 1603, "Lobet Gott unsern Herren" (Zahn No. 5393): Bach used this melody for instance in his BWV 272 four-part chorale.^[5][6]

References[]