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Short Name: | N. F. S. Grundtvig |
Full Name: | Grundtvig, N. F. S. (Nicolai Frederik Severin), 1783-1872 |
Birth Year: | 1783 |
Death Year: | 1872 |
Nicolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig was the son of a pastor, and was born at Udby, in Seeland, in 1783. He studied in the University of Copenhagen from 1800-1805; and, like some other eminent men, did not greatly distinguish himself; his mind was too active and his imagination too versatile to bear the restraint of the academic course. After leaving the university he took to teaching; first in Langeland, then (1808) in Copenhagen. Here he devoted his attention to poetry, literature, and Northern antiquities. In 1810 he became assistant to his father in a parish in Jutland. The sermon he preached at his ordination, on the subject "Why has the Lord's word disappeared from His house," attracted much attention, which is rarely the case with "probationers'" sermons. On his father's death, in 1813, he returned to Copenhagen, and for eight years devoted himself mainly to literature. The poetry, both secular and religious, that he produced, drew from a friend the remark that "Kingo's harp had been strung afresh." In 1821 King Frederik vi. appointed him pastor of Prasloe, a parish in Seeland, from which he was the next year removed to Copenhagen, and made chaplain of St. Saviour's church in Christianshavn. From the time of his ordination he had been deeply impressed with Evangelical church sentiments, in opposition to the fashionable Rationalism and Erastianism of the day; and adhered to the anti-rationalist teaching of Hauge, whose death at this time (1824) seemed to be a call to Grundtvig to lift up his voice. An opportunity soon presented itself; Professor Clausen brought out a book entitled Katholicismens og Protestantismens Forfatning, Ldre, og Ritus ("The condition, teaching, and ritual of Catholicism and Protestantism"). This book was replete with the Erastian Rationalism which was so especially distasteful to Grundtvig, who forthwith, in his Kirkens Gjenmsele ("The Church's Reply," 1825), strongly opposed its teaching, and laid down truer principles of Christian belief, and sounder views of the nature of the Church. This caused a sensation: Grandtvig (who had not spared his opponent) was fined 100 rixdollars, and the songs and hymns which he had written for the coming celebration of the tenth centenary of Northern Christianity were forbidden to be used. On this he resigned his post at St. Saviour's, or rather was forced to quit it by a sentence of suspension which was pronounced in 1826, and under which he was kept for 13 years. He took the opportunity of visiting England in 1829, 30, and 31, and consulting its libraries, mainly with a view to a further insight into Northern antiquities, and to help his studies in the early English tongue. His edition of Cynewulfs beautiful poem of the Phenix from the Codex Exoniensis, the Anglo-Saxon (so-called) text, with a preface in Danish, and a fri Fordanskning (free rendering in Danish), published in 1840*, is a result of this journey and enforced leisure. Tired of his long silence, his numerous friends and admirers proposed to erect a church for him, and form themselves into an independent congregation, but this was not permitted. He was allowed, however, to hold an afternoon service in the German church at Christianshavn. There ho preached for eight years, and compiled and wrote his hymn-book, Sang-Vdrk til den Danske Kirkce ("Song-work for the Danish Church"). He still worked on towards his object of raising the Christian body to which ho belonged from the condition of a mere slate establishment to the dignity of a gospel-teaching national church. In 1839 (the year of the death of King Frederik vr., and the accession of his cousin Chrisliem vni.) the suspension was removed, and he was appointed chaplain of the hospital Vartou, a position which he held till his death. In 1863 the king (Frederik vn.) conferred on him the honorary title of bishop. The good old man died suddenly, in his 89th year, on Sept. 2, 1872, having officiated the day before. As Kingo is the poet of Easter, and Brorson of Christmas, so Grundtvig is spoken of as the poet of Whitsuntide.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology,, p. 1001 (1907)
Texts by N. F. S. Grundtvig (150)![]() | As | Authority Languages | Instances |
---|---|---|---|
A Babe is born in Bethlehem, In Bethlehem (Krauth) | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
A babe is born in Bethlehem, Bethlehem (Aaberg) | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Translator (from Latin)) | English | 9 |
A life together in love and troth | Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | English | 4 |
A little child so fair and bright | Grundtvig (Translator (from German)) | English | 4 |
Aa lat din Ande med oss vera | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Abide among us, we implore Thee | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Al den ganske Kristenhed | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
All that which soars in upward flight | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
All ye who like the birds can soar | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
An ancient dwelling is the church | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
Apostlerne sad i Jerusalem | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Arisen is my Savior blest | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
As after the water brooks panteth | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 10 |
As the rose shall blossom here | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
At sige verden ret farvel | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 5 | |
Be welcome again, God's angels bright | Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | English | 4 |
Blessed were the eyes that truly | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Blossom as a rose shall here | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 3 |
Bright and glorious is the sky | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 12 |
Built on a rock the church of God | Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | English | 2 |
Built on the Rock, the Church shall stand | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 74 |
Childhood days of joy and gladness | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
Chime on, ye church bells | Nikolai F. S. Gruntvig (Author) | 3 | |
Christmas with gladness sounds | Grundtvig (Alterer) | 3 | |
Come unto me, saith God's own Son | Georg Grüenwald (Author) | English | 1 |
Come, Zion, and sing to the Father above | Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | 3 | |
Cradling children in his arm | N. F. S. Grudtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Deilig er din Himmel blaa | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Dejlig er den himmel blå | Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig (Author) | Danish | 2 |
Den Ædelsten saa rosenrød | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Den sidste Skilnad er vel saar | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Den signede Dag, som vi nu ser, Med Blide til os opkomme | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Translator) | Norwegian | 6 |
Det kimer nu til Julefest | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 1 |
Det lakker nu ad Aften brat | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Translator) | Norwegian | 3 |
Det største Under her paa Jord | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Domo malnova estas ĝi, nia preĝejo sur tero | Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig (Author) | Esperanto | 1 |
Du, som gaar ud | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Translator) | Norwegian | 3 |
Easter morrow stills our sorrow | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 4 | |
Et barn er født i Betlehem | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 3 |
Fair beyond telling, Lord, is Thy dwelling | Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | English | 5 |
Firme en la roca eterna y fiel | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Følger med til Urtegaarden | Grundtvig (Translator) | Norwegian | 4 |
For dig, o Herre, som Dage kun | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Founded our Lord has upon earth a realm of the Spirit | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
Fraa Himmelen Guds Ande for | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Fred til Bod for bittert Savn | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 5 |
From death, Christ, on the Sabbath morn | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
From the graves remove dark crosses | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Fyr deg, vaar Herre, Aartusund er | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Give Gud, jeg efterhaanden | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Gladly we lift our sight | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
God's little child, what troubles thee | Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | English | 4 |
God's Word is our great heritage | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 23 |
Golden light, serene and bright | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 6 |
Gud Helligaand, opfyld med lyst | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Translator) | Norwegian | 5 |
Guds Engle sang i Stjernetal | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Guds Ord det er vaar Fedra-Arv | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Guds Ord det er vort Aarvegods | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 6 |
Hail Thee, Savior and Atoner! | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 6 |
Hallowed church bell, not for earthly centers | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Han, som har hjulpet hidindtil | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 1 | |
Hast to the plow thou put thy hand | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 5 |
He who has helped me hitherto | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Her ei ties, her indvies | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Her mødes alle Veie | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Herre, hvor skal vi gaa hen | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Herre, kvar skal me vel av | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Himlene, Herre, fortælle din Ære | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Holy Ghost, our Interceder | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Holy Spirit, come, we pray, Shed from heaven thine inward ray | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 1 |
Holy Spirit, come with light | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 5 |
Holy Spirit, still our sorrow | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 3 |
I Dag paa apostolisk Vis | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
I know a flower so fair and fine | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 3 | |
Jesus i det Høie throner | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 3 |
Jesus, the name without compare | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Kimer, I Klokker, ja kimer før Dag u det Dunkle! | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 6 |
Kirken den er et gammelt hus | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 7 |
Kjærlighed er lysets kilde | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Kommer hid kun med de Smaa | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Krist stod op af Døde I Paaske-Morgen-røde! | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Krist stod upp av Daude | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Kvinde, se din Tro er stor | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Kvinna, sjaa di Tru er stor | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Lift up thy head, O Christendom | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Like dew upon the meadow | Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | 3 | |
Lo, the Lord extends His hand | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Translator (Danish)) | English | 3 |
Løft hoved op al kristendom | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Adapter) | Norwegian | 3 |
Long hast thou stood, O church of God | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
Lord Jesus, our king, enthroned on high | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 3 |
Love is life's true crown and glory | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
Love, the fount of light from heaven | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 9 |
Lover Gud, I kristne fromme | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 5 |
Manana fiorenana ny fiangonan'i Kristy | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Malagasy | 2 |
Med Straale-Krans om Tinde | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Min Jesus, lad mit Hjerte faa | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 2 |
Mindful of a constant Friend | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Translator (Danish)) | English | 3 |
Most wonderful of all things is | Nikolai Frederick Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | 2 | |
Most wondrous is of all on earth (Fraser) | N. F. S. Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | 2 | |
Most wondrous is of all on earth The kingdom Jesus founded | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 5 |
My Lord, I hear Thee pleading | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
Ny andron'ny fahasoavana | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Malagasy | 2 |
O day full of grace that now we see | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | English | 2 |
O day, full of grace, which we behold | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 13 |
O Holy Spirit come we pray | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Translator (Danish)) | English | 4 |
O how beautiful the sky | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 6 |
O Jesus, in my heart instill | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 1 |
O lad din Aand nu med os være | Grundtvig (Translator) | Norwegian | 4 |
O land of our King | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 6 |
O let Thy spirit with us tarry, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
O wondrous Kingdom here on earth | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
O let thy spirit with us tarry, Lord Jesus, this we ask of Thee | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
O that I had a thousand voices, They should be raised to Christ my Lord! | Grundtvig (Translator (into Danish)) | English | 3 |
On the new Jerusalem | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 3 |
Paaske-Morgen Slukker sorgen | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Peace to soothe our bitter woes | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 18 |
Praise we offer, Lord of glory | N. F. S. Grundtvig (1783-1872) (Author) | 1 | |
Preciosa herencia otorga Dios | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Proclaim my soul that Jesus dies | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 3 |
Ring, O ye bells, O ring out | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 3 | |
Ry Jeso Tompo velona mpiandry sy mpamelona | N. F .S. Grundtvig (Author) | Malagasy | 2 |
Savior, whither should we go | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 3 | |
Sørger ei for dem, som sove | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 4 |
Som toerstige Hjort monne skrige | Grundtvig (Author) | 5 | |
Sortnet var den gyldne Sol | Grundtvig (Translator) | Norwegian | 3 |
Spirit of God, sent from heaven abroad | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
Splendid are the heavens high | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 7 |
Suffer and languish, Tremble in anguish | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 3 | |
Suffer the children to come to me | Nikolaj F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
Syrgje ei fyr deim, som sova | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | Nynorsk | 2 |
Take away the signs of mourning | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
Tegn skal der ske for dommedag | Grundtvig (Author) | Norwegian | 5 |
The dear glad spring returns to earth | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
The happy Christmas comes once more | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 34 |
The leaves are falling everywhere | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
The Lord is in his holy place, Let all the earth be still | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig, 1783-1872 (Author) | English | 3 |
The Lord to thee appealeth | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
The peace of God protects our hearts | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 5 |
The sun now shines in all its splendor | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 5 |
The Word of God, our heritage | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
The Word of God's our heritage | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 1 |
There is a way, By worldly man forsaken | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 2 | |
This is the day which the Lord hath us given | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 6 |
Thy blessing fills our earthly need | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 4 |
Vidunderligst af alt paa Jord | Grundtvig (Author) | 4 | |
We are in our Father's hand | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 3 |
Welcome here, new year of grace | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Alterer) | English | 2 |
With gladness we hail the blessed day | Grundtvig (Alterer) | 2 | |
With gladness we hail this blessed day | N. F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | English | 2 |
With her cruse of alabaster | Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig (Author) | 3 |