Behemb, Martin

Behemb, Martin, a Lutheran theologian of Germany, was born Sept. 16, 1557, at Lauban, in Upper Lusatia. He studied at Strasburg, and was appointed in 1581 deacon in his native city. In 1586 he became pastor of Trinity Church, and preached there for about thirty-six years. He died Feb. 5, 1622. His sermons on the passion of our Lord were published in 1614, under the title, Spectaculum Passionis Jesu Christi. In manuscript he left sermons on the Psalms, on which he preached for eighteen years, under the title Urim and Thummim. Behemb was also a fine hymn-writer, and some of his hymns are also translated into English, as, O Konigaller Ehren, Herr Jesus (in Winkworth's Lyra Germ. ii, 41: "King of Glory! David's Son!") O Jesu Christ, mein's Lebens Licht (ibid. p. 276: "Lord Jesus Christ, my Life, my Light!") See Hoffmann, Lycei Laubani Rector (Lauban, 1707); Noldeke's Biographical Sketch, prefixed to his edition of Behemb's Hymns in Schirk's Collection, ix (Halle, 1857); Koch, Gesch. d. deutschen Kirchenliedes, ii, 227 sq. (B. P.)