David Behme

Behme, David, born April 2, 1605, at Bernstadt, in Silesia, became, 1630, Court preacher to Duke Heinrich Wenzel of Munsterberg, and pastor of Vielguth near Bernstadt. In 1638 became pastor of his native town, preacher to the court of Oels, and a member of the Consistory. There he remained as a faithful and exemplary pastor till his death, Feb. 9, 1657 (Koch, iii. 56-57; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, ii. 284). Mützell, 1858, includes six hymns under his name, Nos. 300-305. One has been translated into English.
Herr nun lass in Friede. [For the Dying. Founded on the Nunc Dimittis. First appeared in the 5th ed., Breslau, c. 1663, of the Vollstandige Kirchen und Haus Music, p. 962, in 10 stanzas. In Mützell, 1858, No. 301 as a hymn on the Festival of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. It is translated as, "Lord, now let Thy servant," by Miss Winkworth, 1858, p. 216. [Rev. James Mearns, M. A.]

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)