By D. Mart. Luth. at Dessau before the princes of Anhalt in 1534.
Preface.
Because there is now a time when it is necessary to call upon God and pray, especially for a gracious weather and fruitful year, let us take before us the 65th Psalm,
made for this purpose, which is to stimulate and admonish us, first, that we also learn from where we should take such goods, and who is the man who gives them, and after that, that we may the more
*) In July 1534 Luther, accompanied by Bugenhagen and Cruciger, was visiting the princes of Anhalt in Dessau (Köstlin, Martin Luther, Vol. II, p. 295). On this occasion he preached this sermon on the 65th Psalm, which Cruciger published in the same year under the title: "Der I.XV. Psalm, durch D. Mart. Luth. at Dessaw, preached for the Prince of Anhalt. I. 5. 3. 4." On the first page of the last leaf all alone: "Printed at Wittenberg by Georgen Rhaw." In the collections: in the Wittenberg (1553), vol. Ill, p. 394; in the Jena (1556), vol. VI, p. 122; in the Altenburg, vol. VI, p. 166; in the Leipzig, vol. VI, p. 241; and in the Erlangen, vol. 39, p. 137. According to the latter we reproduce the text, since the original is printed there.
to pray more earnestly, and to cry out with earnestness in all troubles that may come upon us. For our sin and ingratitude is also so great that we have to be concerned, if we cannot help it, and improve our lives, so that we do not only have to
but with many greater punishments. Therefore, with the holy prophet David, let us also sing this little psalm to God, in which he praises and thanks God for all the goods he has been given, and also asks that he keep them and always give them.