Jakob Peter Schechs (Hymn-Writer)

Born: April 30, 1607 - Poppenreuth, Franconia, Germany
Died: July 16, 1659 - Wöhrd, near Nürnberg (Nuremberg), Bavaria, Germany

Ther German pastor and hymn-writer, Jakob Peter Schechs, was born in Poppenreuth, Franconia as the son of the local pastor. He lost his parents early, but received from benevolent patrons the means to stududy at the high schools in Rothenburg a.T. and Nuremberg and in 1629 to attend the Universität Altdorf. In 1633 he became Pastor at Altenthann; in 1634 Deacon at the Liebfrauenkirche in Nuremberg; in 1637 Deacon at the Lorenzer Kirche; and in 1649 Pastor in the Nuremberg suburb of Wöhrd. But on July 16, 1659 a serious illness put an end to his life. In 1648 he wrote the widespread song of the cross and consolation Ach Gott, erhör' mein Seufzen und Wehklagen.

Source: Deutsche Biographie Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (September 2018)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018)

Texts of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

BWV 254

Chorale Texts used in Bach’s Vocal Works

Ach Gott, erhör' mein Seufzen und Wehklagen (1648)

Links to other Sites

Schechs, Jakob Peter (Deutsche Biographie) [German]

Bibliography

Leichenrede von Joh. Konrad Stephani (Nürnberg 1659)
Will, Nürnberger Gelehrtenlexikon, Bd. 3
Koch, Geschichte des Kirchenliedes³ III, 343