To the Abbot Friedrich of Nurnberg - Martin Luther
TO THE ABBOT FRIEDRICH OF NURNBERG
In 1525 Friedrich made over his cloister possessions to the poor.
Learned men often dedicated their books to him, as Luther did his commentary of the 118th Psalm. July 1, 1530.
To the esteemed Herr Friedrich, Abbot at St. Ilgen, Nurnberg. Grace and peace in Christ our Lord and Savior! Dear sir and patron, I wish to show my gratitude for your love and favor to me, but as the world goes I am only a poor beggar. And although I had much I would scarcely presume to send anything to such as you. So having searched my possessions, which are my riches, I have selected my dear psalm, the lovely Confitemini, and have committed my thoughts on it to paper as I sit idle in my desert, because at times I must rest my head and stop my great work of putting the prophets into German, which I hope to finish shortly. I present and dedicate these thoughts to you, for I have nothing better. Although some may consider it a useless medley, I know there is nothing evil in it, for
it is the psalm which I love. Although the Psalter and Holy Scriptures are all dear to me, being my only consolation and life, still I am specially attached to this psalm. For it has helped me out of many a sore trouble when the help of emperor, kings, learned men, saints, etc., was of no avail. And it is dearer than any riches or honour that Pope, Turk, or Emperor, or all the world could bestow on me; indeed, I would not exchange it for them all put together. But should any one deem it strange that I boast of
this psalm being mine, which is the property of the whole world, let him know that what no one seems specially taken up with is my own. But Christ is also mine, and is still the Christ of all the saints; and would to God the whole world would claim this psalm as I do, and then there would arise such a friendly rivalry, to which no unanimity or love could be for a moment compared. But, alas! there are few who could say to any portion of the Bible or to a psalm, “Thou art my favourite book” or “My own dear psalm.” And it is truly sad that the Holy Scriptures are so despised, even of those whose office it is to expound them. All other things, art, books, etc., occupy people night and day; and they never weary of the trouble, while the Scriptures are left lying as if they were of no use. And when people do them the honour of reading them, how quickly they get through them. There is no book upon earth which is so easily mastered by all as the Holy Bible. And they are really the words of life, not written for speculation, but to be acted on in life. But why complain, for no one pays any attention.
May Christ our Lord help us through His Spirit to honour His gracious word. Amen. I herewith commend myself to your prayers.
From the desert. MARTIN LUTHER .